When it comes to true story-inspired movies, there’s a responsibility tied to them from the start. Some of these movies become even more harrowing because they’re still relevant today — it’s difficult to watch Paul Greengrᴀss’ The Lost Bus, which follows the wildfires that broke out in Paradise, California, in 2018, and not think about 2025’s LA fires. The film honors the experiences of the real-life people it portrays: Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), a bus driver, and Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), a school teacher, who work to bring the children on the bus to safety.

The film is a harrowing watch. It treats the fire as a character unto its own at times, with the camera sweeping through the trees and town, spreading quickly and untamed. It’s as though the fire itself is on a hunt, and the camera work here is masterful. The Lost Bus’ technical achievements are breathtaking. Visually, the film is stunning, and there are instances — specifically ones involving the bus and its occupants — that are edge-of-your-seat thrilling. The final action sequence, of McConaughey’s Kevin driving through a raging inferno in an attempt to find an exit, is nail-bitingly good.

Matthew McConaughey & America Ferrera Are Great Together

Their Scenes Are Some Of The Best Of The Film

Kevin and Mary’s story is a heroic one, but Greengrᴀss — who co-wrote the screenplay with Brad Ingelsby based on Lizzie Johnson’s book, Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire — preserves their humanity by not making them larger-than-life figures. Kevin is struggling to make amends with his son Shaun (who appears briefly and is played by McConaughey’s real-life son, Levi) after moving back to Paradise following his father’s death. Tense conversations over the phone with his ex-wife ground Kevin’s story beyond the fires.

But it’s Ferrera’s Mary who is the true grounding force of the film. She doesn’t appear until 20 or so minutes into the film, but her arrival is a welcome one. Once she’s on the bus with Kevin and the kids, The Lost Bus really gets going, at least for a while. Mary and Kevin work well together after getting off to a rocky start. They learn to trust each other on the way and their relationship — born of circumstance and cemented in trust and understanding — is the film’s anchor and saving grace.

Both McConaughey and Ferrera’s performances are wonderful. While the intensity of their scenes can feel overwhelming, it’s in the quiet moments, when they’re simply getting to know one another and discussing a more hopeful future, that they truly shine brightest. Ashlie Atkinson as Ruby, Kevin’s boss, is also great in a supporting role that largely requires her to speak over an intercom. Her performance adds to the growing tension and fear over the lost bus and the fires.

That said, I’ve long been a proponent of shorter movies, and The Lost Bus, at two hours and nine minutes long, didn’t need to be as long as it is. The film doesn’t spend too much time setting things up before the fire starts, and it’s the least engaging part to watch. Even when the fire begins, it takes time before Kevin and Mary are thrown together in caring for the kids, and the film unnecessarily drags things out before getting there. There are certainly lulls throughout, and the story needed some тιԍнтening.

But what it lacks is more than made up with a great cast, distressing moments, and some well-sH๏τ action. The Lost Bus is a reminder that there are always people in the world who are willing to put their lives on the line to keep others safe, especially in situations they have no control over, and Greengrᴀss’ film is a heartwarming reminder of that.

The Lost Bus premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. The film will open in select theaters on September 19 and will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on October 3.