One Way (2022) Apr 2026
The narrative follows Freddy Sullivan, a low-level criminal fleeing Los Angeles after a botched robbery of his crime boss, Victoria "Vic" Menendez. Having stolen a bag filled with cash and cocaine, Freddy boards a bus bound for the California desert while nursing a potentially fatal gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Directed by Andrew Baird and written by Ben Conway, One Way (2022) is a gritty, neon-drenched crime-noir that explores the physical and moral disintegration of a man at the end of his rope. Starring Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly) in a performance that critics have noted for its raw, "injured suffering," the film utilizes a confined setting—a Greyhound-style bus—to mirror the protagonist's lack of options and internal purgatory. A Journey of Physical and Moral Decay
Reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic have offered mixed reviews, often praising the performances but noting that the film’s "inert" pacing and shaky-cam cinematography can sometimes undermine its suspense. Despite these criticisms, Baird’s direction has been lauded for its "sturdy" noir aesthetic , reminiscent of 1970s American crime thrillers. One Way (2022)
Ultimately, One Way is less about the action of a heist and more about the psychological weight of a man’s final choices as he faces the literal and figurative end of the road. Movie Review – One Way (2022) - Flickering Myth
While Freddy is self-involved, his interactions with fellow passengers—specifically Rachel ( Storm Reid ), a runaway teen, and Will (Travis Fimmel), a mysterious social worker—provide him with an unexpected, albeit forced, opportunity for redemption. Critical Reception and Style The narrative follows Freddy Sullivan, a low-level criminal
The film’s central tension is derived from two ticking clocks:
The bus serves as a modern-day purgatory where Freddy is forced to confront his past through feverish, hallucinatory sequences and desperate phone calls to those he has failed: his nurse ex-girlfriend, his young daughter, and his estranged father. The inclusion of Kevin Bacon as Freddy's "asshole" father adds a layer of intergenerational trauma, as his betrayal further complicates Freddy's slim chances of survival. Starring Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly) in a
The Desperate Transit: A Study of Survival and Sin in One Way (2022)