Nicolas Winding Refn, the Danish filmmaker known for his distinctive style, recently reflected on the enduring impact of his 2011 film “Drive” as he promoted his latest project, the horror-fantasy hybrid “Her Private Hell.” The conversation coincided with a 15th anniversary screening of “Drive” at the American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz Theatre in Los Angeles.

“Drive,” Refn’s first American feature, stars Ryan Gosling as a nameless young man who works as a mechanic and occasional stunt driver by day, and as a criminal wheelman for hire by night. The film explores his quiet life’s disruption following his friendship with a vulnerable neighbor, played by Carey Mulligan, and her son. The movie, noted for its atmospheric style and memorable soundtrack, resonated deeply with audiences, spawning a cultural phenomenon that included the popularization of the iconic scorpion jacket worn by Gosling’s character.

Refn described the film’s success as an “incredible magical combustion” of various elements coming together organically, something he suggests cannot be artificially recreated or predicted. He emphasized that “Drive” was a departure from his previous work, deliberately crafted as a teenage love story inspired by the innocence of young romance portrayed in films like “Sixteen Candles.” While often compared to tough-guy crime films such as “The Driver” and “Point Blank,” Refn noted a deliberate tension in “Drive” between its romantic underpinnings and its genre influences, aiming to explore different creative palettes.

The director forged a strong creative connection with Gosling, describing their collaboration as a meeting of “naive idealists” sharing intense emotions, with Gosling effectively serving as Refn’s alter ego in the film. The pair previously worked together on the 2013 film “Only God Forgives” and have discussed plans for a third project, though no specific details have been confirmed.

Refn’s portrayal of Los Angeles in “Drive” differs from typical cinematic depictions, focusing on everyday, less glamorous locations such as warehouses in the San Fernando Valley and back alleys downtown. Approaching the city from the perspective of an outsider unfamiliar with its nuances, Refn found beauty in the mundane, transforming ordinary settings into evocative imagery. He expressed a deep affinity for working in Los Angeles, citing its cultural diversity and rich tapestry of creative opportunities.

Asked about his career trajectory following “Drive,” Refn acknowledged that despite the film’s mainstream success, he chose to prioritize creative freedom over a conventional Hollywood path. He has spent much of the last decade directing series for streaming platforms—such as Amazon’s “Too Old to Die Young” and Netflix’s “Copenhagen Cowboy”—favoring projects that allow greater artistic control rather than fitting into industry expectations.

Refn also highlighted the importance of silence and stillness in his storytelling, a stylistic choice prominently featured in “Drive” through its lingering looks and pauses between dialogue. This approach, which he has expanded upon in “Her Private Hell,” seeks to evoke emotional and spiritual responses by creating immersive, almost meditative cinematic experiences that transcend traditional narratives of good and bad.

Reflecting on “Drive’s” lasting legacy, Refn spoke positively about people approaching him while wearing the film’s iconic scorpion jacket, calling it “super cool,” a testament to the film’s continuing cultural relevance over a decade after its release.