SPOILERS AHEAD (obviously)…
Ride is a horror-comedy short film, written and directed by Meredith Alloway and released in 2019. The film follows first-time spin class participant Brit as she navigates its intimidating nature and intensity. While the film plays with a few staple horror elements and adds a few comedic details throughout, it seems to remain light-hearted at its core. However, it also likely houses a commentary on the intensity of spin classes (or workout classes in general), lightly poking fun at how intimidating these settings can be to an outsider.
Despite its brief running time of just over six minutes, Ride is full of visual and auditorial details that hold great importance. While the film’s moments of absurdity and intensity contribute to its belonging to the horror genre, they also have the power to evoke a comedic effect and a sense of relatability. This stylistic choice of ‘over-the-top’ horror is demonstrated consistently throughout the film. Ride features key horror elements that pay homage to the genre, powerful visual effects that build the story’s environment, and details surrounding the protagonist’s role in the story to solidify its overarching message.
A Place Within the Genre
There are several details throughout this short film that highlight its place within the horror genre. Toward the beginning of the film, the spin class instructor mentions that this is the class’s seven hundredth ride. She goes on to say that “hard work pays off, but not without sacrifice.” She puts a heavy emphasis on the word ‘sacrifice’ and the class says it with her. Shortly after, she mentions Brit being a “first-time rider” and proclaims her excitement for honoring the class’s seven hundredth ride “with a virgin.” The words, ‘sacrifice’ and ‘virgin’ are commonly used together when referring to rituals dating back to prehistoric times for the purpose of appeasing gods and spirits. The horror genre utilizes these rituals quite often, especially in films centered around supernatural activity or the occult.
When the instructor mentions the words ‘sacrifice’ and ‘virgin,’ the spin class raise their thermoses together, solidifying the ritualistic tone of this moment. Shortly after this, their ride begins, and the participants all move in sync with each other, pedaling, swaying, and clapping with each other as one unit. That is, except for Brit, who is still learning the motions and trying to keep up. At one point, she even stumbles on her bike, triggering the climax of the film. At this point, the movements of the entire class reach their maximum intensity. Brit exclaims, “I can’t unlock my legs!” This is a defining moment for her, as she is fully immersed in the class and unable to stop her ride. She has been indoctrinated into this group and fallen under the spell of the class, much like the indoctrination into a cult.
Visions of Cult Behavior
Visuals used in Ride hold great detail and meaning, adding another layer to the story. This is made apparent from the very beginning of the film as Brit observes the spin class participants who all appear vibrant. They are full of energy and wearing statement clothing along with loud makeup while Brit’s clothes are very understated, she wears very little makeup if any at all, and she comes off as shy and timid. The concept of the spin class adopting the same look solidifies the idea of a cult-like nature.
During the climax of the film, when Brit is feeling the maximum amount of intensity during the spin class, the participants all put on clear masks while the instructor has a red towel that previously sat rolled up on her bike, draped over her head like a hood. The participants then fix their gaze on Brit while the instructor raises her arms as if she is summoning some sort of presence or phenomenon. This motion seems to cue the participants to approach Brit, crawling on the floor and reaching up to her as they chant. If the cult theme wasn’t obvious before, the film certainly hits its audience over the head with it in this moment.
Trials and Tribulations of a Spin Class
Ride produces a comedic commentary on the feelings one may experience during their first spin class, or perhaps any workout class. Although this film contains many moments of absurdity and outlandish ideas, its basis is rooted in reality. Brit has just moved to a new city and is looking for new activities to try as well as people to meet. It is never revealed how she met her friend, Chloe, but it is made clear that Chloe introduced Brit to the spin class.
At the start of the film, Brit is in her own head, feeling like she should have stayed home because she knows nothing about the class. As this inner monologue plays out, Brit observes the spin class participants. Their bodies appear toned, implying to Brit that everyone there is experienced except for her. Chloe interrupts Brit’s worried thoughts with a hug and helps her adjust her bike, making her feel a bit more at ease. However, when the instructor enters the class, she puts emphasis on the fact that it is the class’s seven hundredth ride. This feels intimidating to Brit in comparison to the zero rides that she has completed, and she appears to be back in her head again.
Shortly after the instructor mentions the class’s seven hundredth ride, she mentions that Brit is a first-time rider with the intention of welcoming her. She points to Brit as she says her name and, in this moment, the participants of the class snap their heads in her direction with big smiles on their faces. Although the intention of the class is to welcome Brit, she clearly is uncomfortable with being the center of attention, especially for the reason being that she is ‘the new girl’ in the class. This is a very real feeling for anyone starting something new, particularly in an environment where everyone else is experienced. It can be intimidating and overwhelming, which are the exact feelings Brit experiences in Ride.
When the ride starts, Brit feels the intensity of trying to keep up with the class and all of their movements. This is conveyed to the audience through the use of lighting and music, used to make the audience feel the intensity of the scene. While working hard to successfully complete the ride, Brit catches two participants that appear to be twin brothers staring at her, causing her to stumble on her bike. Feeling watched and judged when trying something new can be very intimidating, and it is realistic that Brit would be distracted by it, causing her to make a mistake.
At this point in the film a new type of intensity is unveiled. The lights are dim and red instead of bright, flashing, multi-colored, and the atmosphere is quiet except for the breathing and panting of the riders. The instructor talks about perseverance, punctuating this point with “we will slay whoever gets in our way…to brunch!” This brings the comedic element back into the film, as the class takes riding very seriously, but in reality, it is simply a fun workout class. However, it stimulated the participants’ energy and motivates them further to keep riding, including Brit. Even though she seems very overstimulated and tired, she continues to ride. She yells to Chloe that she can’t keep going but still proceeds to pedal. At one point she yells that she can’t unlock her legs which is likely symbolic for the feeling of being engaged in a workout or activity and being exhausted but feeling as though it must be finished. Brit cannot give up.
Brit seems miserable as she continues to pedal, on the edge of tears while the class continues. As the other riders put on their masks and chant at Brit while reaching out at her, she only seems to become more overwhelmed but, despite this, continues to ride. She finally lets out an overwhelmed scream while still pedaling, and the lights blackout. This is seemingly the end of the film, but an after credits scene shows the studio back as it was during the first scene, implying that the class has finished. The instructor approaches Chloe, who thanks her. The instructor then thanks Chloe and tells her that Brit did very well. The next shot reveals Brit, looking tired but satisfied. She looks up at Chloe and the instructor and asks, “how do I sign up?”
Despite the hardship that she experienced during her first class, Brit has overcome the obstacle of fear and self-consciousness. These negative feelings do not outweigh the excitement she has for the activity itself, and furthermore, she seems to have found a sense of belonging. Ride shows the rollercoaster of emotions that one is likely to feel when trying something new, using a blend of horror and comedy to relay the normalcy of feeling overwhelmed and anxious while trying something new, but simultaneously falling in love with it.
