Apple TV+ Just Dropped One of the Best Action Thrillers of 2025 – It Already Has 93% on RT
This is a movie that stays with you even after the final credits roll, reminding you to appreciate every peaceful moment of life.
One of the most intense and emotional thrillers of the season just dropped on Apple TV+ – The Lost Bus, from Oscar-winning director Paul Greengrass.
Based on the true events of the 2018 California wildfires, the movie does more than tell a story of survival – it places viewers at the epicenter of this hellish event from the very beginning.
Rather than trying to shock, The Lost Bus reaches the very core with searing verisimilitude, making you believe every moment of this incredible race with fire.
What Is 'The Lost Bus' About?
The story centers on Kevin (Matthew McConaughey), a school bus driver who is having a hard time making ends meet at work, and also trying to improve his relationship with his teenage son.
His life takes a dramatic turn when a devastating wildfire breaks out near Paradise. Upon learning that the local school has not yet been evacuated, Kevin decides to help.
Together with teacher Mary (America Ferrera), he sets off on what seems like a simple trip. However, it soon turns into a deadly race through a blazing inferno where dozens of children's lives depend on his decisions and composure.
'The Lost Bus' Stuns with Its Realistic Depiction of Tragedy
Paul Greengrass doesn't just show the disaster – he makes viewers feel it. Ominous smoke obscures the sun, turning day into night; the heat seems to radiate from the screen; all-consuming chaos fills the streets – these elements create a completely immersive experience.
Rather than showing clichéd heroism, the director shows the genuine, sometimes panicked reactions of people.
Thieves robbing stores and threatening to hijack a bus at gunpoint add another layer of danger, demonstrating that the enemy can be not only fire, but also someone consumed by fear.
'The Lost Bus' Strikes the Perfect Balance Between Action and Thriller
The Lost Bus masterfully blends genres. On the one hand, it's pure action, with dizzying rides through walls of fire and collapsing buildings and the constant threat that the bus will become a trap.
On the other hand, it's a profound psychological thriller. The story of Kevin and Mary and their personal dramas becomes the emotional core of the movie, preventing it from becoming a shallow amusement ride.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Lost Bus'?
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The Lost Bus has 85% from critics and 93% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.0/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Lost Bus is scored 3.4/5.0.
