THE LOST BUS
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez, Ashlie Atkinson, and Spencer Watson, and Levi McConaughey
Director: Paul Greengrass
AMARÚ
There is no way to truly capture the devastation that 2018’s deadly Camp Fire caused in California, but director Paul Greengrass’ expertise with the shaky handheld does a damn good job getting audiences to that place. Surprisingly, his use of drone shots to mimic the dangerously fast-flowing ferocity of high-wind fires is just as harrowing. Matthew McConaughey’s gritty emotion fits perfectly to infuse genuine despair into The Lost Bus, and while some of the beats are heavy-handed, the gravity of his situation juxtaposed to found-footage of the actual fire ensured that anything less punchy would seem dramatically insufficient. It’s cliché and intense, but it works.
NICK
Natural disasters will never stop being good material for exhilarating survival films, and The Lost Bus is yet another example. Director Paul Greengrass brings his signature docu-drama style to the world of wildfires, and it may be his best utilization of it to date. The script has its challenges (particularly in the more grounded moments), but both Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera make the most of it. I'm not saying this is ground-breaking in any way, but it's a thrilling theatrical experience that yet again makes me wonder why we don’t get more firefighting films.
BODE
Has Paul Greengrass met a real-life tragedy he hasn’t thought about turning into a movie? Considering that it’s essentially the bulk of his filmmaking career, I think it’s worth asking, especially if they’re starting to yield mixed returns like The Lost Bus. His signature docu-style approach definitely brings propulsion to his depiction of the 2018 Camp Fire, and the performances from Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera are relatively solid. But, they struggle to overcome a script riddled with clichés - often at odds with its attempted naturalism. The Lost Bus isn’t bad by any means, but it’s incredibly uneven.
QUENTIN
Whether bombastic in scale or a more grounded true story, I’m a sucker for natural disaster flicks. The Lost Bus hues closer to the latter, and the intimate storytelling and almost quiet performances from Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera make for effective and relatable human drama. However, it’s director Paul Greengrass’ signature directorial style, the incredible sound design, and the stellar fire effects that really immerse the viewer. At times, the scenario can even overpower the characters, but at no point are you ever not invested in everyone’s survival. Tense, kinetic, and engrossing, The Lost Bus is easily among Apple’s best original films.
This film was reviewed by Nick and Amarú as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.