The Lost Bus (2025)

	Directed by: Paul Greengrass	COUNTRY USA GENRE Drama/Survival/Disaster NORWEGIAN TITLE The Lost Bus RUNNING TIME 130 minutes
	Produced by: Jamie Lee Curtis Jason Blum Brad Ingelsby Gregory Goodman
	Written by (based on Paradise by Lizzie Johnson): Brad Ingelsby Paul Greengrass

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Kevin McKay	Matthew McConaughey	½
Mary Ludwig	America Ferrara	½
Ray Martinez	Yul Vazquez
Ruby Bishop	Ashlie Atkinson	½
Shaun McKay	Levi McConaughey	-
Sherry McKay	Kay McCabe McConaughey	-
McKenzie	Danny McCarthy	-

Review

Superb production values propel this account of the 2018 Camp Fire in California forward, directed with an affinity for a cross between the survival and the disaster genres by Paul Greengrass (United 93, Captain Phillips, 22 July). Recounting tragic events from real life has become something of a habit for Greengrass, and in his eagerness to delve into the action, he may not be the most subtle builder of characters or backstories, including Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) in this film. Based on a real person or not, McKay is a borderline cliché, but luckily, The Lost Bus attacks on multiple fronts, moving you quickly to the edge of your seat. Greengrass does a good job in facilitating some visual bearings amid the ensuing chaos, helped by fine cinematography by Norwegian Pål Ulvik Rokseth. As per usual, Hollywood's idea of surviving a disaster is to get everyone reconnected and reconciled with their family members; the film's attempts at sentimentality and message towards the end aren't quite as convincing as its relentless drive and physical action. The Lost Bus is solid entertainment that achieves suspension of disbelief for a couple of hours, though it won't have the transcending impact that the filmmakers may have hoped for.