The Lost Bus

Love Matthew. Lots of other great actors. Strong storyline.

Enjoyed watching this. Except. The filming. The camera won't stay still. Gave me a huge headache trying to watch. I get they try to do this for impact. A smalll amount is ok. But at times I had to look away as it made me dizzy.

The effects with the fire were very good.

I wish they didn't do that style of videography.

If you have any doubt as to how frightening and deadly a wild fire is, then this film will set you right. No one does kinetic, anxiety-inducing action quite like Paul Greengrass, and in telling this true story of a bus driver and teacher trying to get a bus full of school kids to safety in the midst of the worst wildfire in California's history, Paul Greengrass is certainly in territory made for his signature strengths. It's a shame this has only had a limited cinema release before streaming - it would have looked and sounded truly immersive on the big screen. It's claustrophobic and thrilling enough on television, with the cinematography and sound design really standing out. A good Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera, along with the rest of the cast, do a decent job with a screenplay that is sometimes a necessary exposition dump, and whilst the character development isn't all it could be, this is still a thrilling and involving disaster film that doesn't let up for any of its run time.

What a ride! This movie was pure intensity from start to finish, I haven't felt this kind of adrenaline in years. The fire and smoke felt so real that I could almost feel the heat and smell the smoke. Even after it ended, it was like the scent was still in my nose. That's how immersive and powerful it was. Easily one of the most gripping and realistic disaster thrillers I've seen in a long time.

The Lost Bus is a 2025 survival drama film directed by Paul Greengrass, who co-wrote the screenplay with Brad Ingelsby. It is based on the non-fiction 2021 book Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson about the 2018 Camp Fire. It stars Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez and Ashlie Atkinson.

Set during the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, the film centers on Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), a school bus driver, and Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), a teacher. When the wildfire rapidly engulfs the town, Kevin is called upon to evacuate 22 children stranded at a school. What begins as a routine route turns into a tense, fraught journey through smoke, flame, blocked roads, and chaos, as they fight to reach safety

McConaughey delivers a grounded, intense performance, while Ferrera adds heart and calm strength. The child cast brings raw emotion and realism. The ensemble including Yul Vázquez, Ashlie Atkinson (as the dispatcher), and child actors holds up its weight in a film dominated by disaster visuals. The children's fear, confusion, and moments of quiet resilience are often cited as among the film's emotional strongest points.

Paul Greengrass keeps the tension high with his signature handheld style and gripping pace. The visuals of fire and chaos feel terrifyingly real, though some emotional beats feel rushed or predictable. Cinematographer Pål Ulvik Rokseth and the visual effects team succeed in creating a visceral, suffocating atmosphere of fire, smoke, and heat. The visuals are among the film's strongest assets: the bus lit by orange glow, smoke creeping through the frame, and the impression of encroaching danger are all powerfully rendered.

A powerful, visually striking survival drama that captures human courage in crisis. Despite a few clichés, The Lost Bus burns bright with emotion and intensity. If you're a fan of survival dramas and disaster cinema done well, It's not perfect, but it's a visceral, ambitious ride that reminds us how ordinary people can act extraordinarily under pressure.

It was literally hell on earth, the whole town was on fire, this story needed to be told and remembered. I was one of the last few leaving town that day, did not realize how severe it was, lucky to make it out. It was 12 noon but you could never tell it was so dark, except for yellow and red glow of the flames everywhere and ash like it was snowing. You don't realize what you've had 'till it's all gone, count your blessing! Great actors, great movie, watch it!