POPZ-CULTURE Movie Reviews – The lost bus (2025)
By: Marton Szakadath
Genre: Drama, thriller
Rated: 18
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Written by: Brad Ingelsby, Paul Greengrass, Lizzie Johnson
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez
The colder months starting in October provide the perfect opportunity to browse the latest releases from streaming services from the comfort of our own homes. This time, we chose The Lost Bus, the new film from Paul Greengrass, the director who created the thrilling action scenes in the Bourne movies. The film, based on real events, caught our attention with its unique theme and excellent cast.
The story focuses on the 2018 Northern California wildfires, which were the most destructive natural disaster in the state’s history. Bus driver Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) is struggling with burnout at work and problems in his personal life. He has no idea what a hellish day awaits him in the company of 22 children in need of rescue and a teacher (America Ferrera).
Beyond the obligatory clichés typical of disaster movies, the film strives for realism throughout. We gain insight into the work of firefighters, paramedics, and emergency management specialists. An excellent director was chosen to bring the depiction of the chaos to life. The tension builds gradually, and we can almost feel the heat and the suffocating air of the forest fire on our skin.
Due to the documentary approach of The Lost Bus, the personal dramas of the characters are unfortunately not as well developed. The crises in Kevin’s life are presented schematically, almost as a list. Yet McConaughey does his best to portray an average man in trouble who becomes a hero. Mary, the teacher who looks after the children, is written with much better proportion, and Ferrera’s sincere performance clearly adds to the film’s credibility and is responsible for its most emotional moments.
A huge negative aspect of the film is its nearly 130-minute running time. It would have been much better for the production’s pace if it had been limited to 90 minutes. As it is, despite the interesting and important subject matter, the excellent visuals, and the strong performances of the actors, we found ourselves frequently checking our watches as the film approached the two-hour mark.
If you are looking for something promising to watch on chilly autumn evenings, The Lost Bus is definitely worth seeing. There are few similar films in this genre, so it may be a good tip for those looking for something new.
What are you planning to watch this fall? Let us know in the comments. Next time, we’ll be back with another genre that has been pushed into the background lately: comedy. Until then, watch lots of movies and series, and if you’re craving a tasty snack to enjoy while watching them at home, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.
