Good One

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2:22

Good One

R

Released Aug 9

1h 30m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In India Donaldson's insightful, piercing debut, 17-year-old Sam (Lily Collias) embarks on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskills with her dad, Chris (James Le Gros) and his oldest friend, Matt (Danny McCarthy). As the two men quickly settle into a gently quarrelsome brotherly dynamic, airing long-held grievances, Sam, wise beyond her years, attempts to mediate. But when lines are crossed and Sam's trust is betrayed, tensions reach a fever pitch, as Sam struggles with her dad's emotional limitations and experiences the universal moment when the parental bond is tested. Selected in both Sundance and Cannes' Directors' Fortnight, Good One is an emotionally expansive work that probes the limits of familial trust, understanding, and ultimately, forgiveness.

Critics Consensus

A beautifully acted depiction of being caught between a rock and a hard place, Good One confronts difficult emotions and yields a striking feature debut for writer-director India Donaldson.

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It's subtle; nothing is underlined. You can discover the movie as it goes along for yourself.

Aug 28, 2024

Full Review

Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

A low-key, superbly acted, very well-directed indie.

Aug 28, 2024

Full Review

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

AWFJ.org

A quiet yet powerful film about learning how you want to be in the world, Good One is an impressive calling card for both Donaldson and Collias herself.

Aug 26, 2024

Full Review

Lisa Giles-Keddie

HeyUGuys

A breakout performance from Lily Collias imbues India Donaldson's tightly directed film with a magnetic, propulsive quality. A masterclass in low-key filmmaking.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 21, 2024

Full Review

Murjani Rawls

Substream Magazine

It’s Donaldson’s sure and steady hand of storytelling that doesn’t need to explain everything to the audience. But there’s enough subtext to know that these three people will never be the same after this trip.

Oct 16, 2024

Full Review

Bethany Lola

Loud and Clear Reviews

Collias delivers one of the most breathtaking performances of the year as Sam. [...] Some people are born to be in front of the screen, and Collias is one of them.

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 8, 2024

Full Review

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Babsallday U

I dont know why this is a movie no real point taken! Hollywood bites these days. Im serious. This movie was a walk in the park although wonderful, absolutely not mind bending.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

Full Review

Brenda

It was very slow. And did not have an ending. I felt like I wasted time on this one.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

David

it really good in it's own sense. hard to describe

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/30/24

Full Review

Ronald B

Well written dialogue, authentic relationships, beautiful nature photography.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

Full Review

Robert

Great story about the relationship between fathers and daughters. Very realistic situations, and the acting was top notch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

Full Review

Jill C

Slow, sublime, and with a most satisfying ending. I can only guess audience scoring is because of the pace. But it doesn't plod, it's almost meditative. And beautiful. A beautiful little jewel of a young woman's point of view.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

Full Review

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India Donaldson

Director

Lily Collias

Sam

James Le Gros

Chris

Danny McCarthy

Matt

Sumaya Bouhbal

Jessie

India Donaldson

Screenwriter

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Good One: Trailer 1

2:22

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Synopsis

In India Donaldson's insightful, piercing debut, 17-year-old Sam (Lily Collias) embarks on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskills with her dad, Chris (James Le Gros) and his oldest friend, Matt (Danny McCarthy). As the two men quickly settle into a gently quarrelsome brotherly dynamic, airing long-held grievances, Sam, wise beyond her years, attempts to mediate. But when lines are crossed and Sam's trust is betrayed, tensions reach a fever pitch, as Sam struggles with her dad's emotional limitations and experiences the universal moment when the parental bond is tested. Selected in both Sundance and Cannes' Directors' Fortnight, Good One is an emotionally expansive work that probes the limits of familial trust, understanding, and ultimately, forgiveness.

Director: India Donaldson
Producer: Diana Irvine, Graham Mason, Wilson Cameron, India Donaldson
Screenwriter: India Donaldson
Distributor: Metrograph Pictures
Production Co: Smudge Films, International Pigeon Production, Baird Street Pictures, Tinygiant
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 9, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 30m