"Gripping Cinema": You'll Be Thrilled by the New Matthew McConaughey Thriller "The Lost Bus"

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Paul Greengrass has done it again — his new thriller "The Lost Bus" is being called a tense and genuinely terrifying disaster film.

The film already boasts an 86% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics are noting that Matthew McConaughey has become the movie's main draw, with his performance bringing both intensity and depth to the story.

A Plot Based on Real Events

The film is rooted in the 2018 tragedy—the most devastating wildfires in California history. At the center of the story are school bus driver Kevin McKay ( ) and teacher Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera). They must evacuate dozens of children from the fire-ravaged town of Paradise. It's a race against time where every stop and every decision could mean the difference between life and death.
The Lost Bus movie trailer
The film is based on journalist Lizzie Johnson's book "Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire." Greengrass, known for "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "United 93," once again commits to unflinching realism.

What Critics Are Saying Most reviewers highlight the film's powerful energy:
  • "From the opening minutes, this film keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a ball of pure anxiety wrapped in a compelling story," writes SHIFTER.
  • "This is a spectacle that demands the big screen. The flames are the real star of the show," notes The Hollywood Reporter.
  • "McConaughey is the film's center of gravity. His character—a flawed father trying to save his son and other people's children—absolutely works," writes New York Post.
There's some criticism too: a few reviewers point to a "formulaic" script and over-reliance on CGI. But even the skeptics admit—the film's scale and tension are hard to argue with.

McConaughey Takes Center Stage

McConaughey plays an ordinary bus driver forced to take responsibility when adults lose control. Critics are calling his performance one of his best in years—he convincingly blends the confusion of an everyday person with the strength of a hero who must act.
A man in a cap sits behind the wheel of a school bus, with a frightened girl standing beside him
Still from The Lost Bus
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Why This Matters

"The Lost Bus" isn't just another disaster thriller. It's a story about how human courage emerges in the darkest circumstances. The film delivers both the thrill-ride effect audiences crave and serves as a reminder of the real tragedy thousands of people witnessed.

Paul Greengrass has crafted a film that's being compared to the best disaster movies of the '90s, but it's completely grounded and realistic. "The Lost Bus" frightens, captivates, and moves—and it looks set to become one of fall's major releases. Digital premiere hits October 3rd. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com covered whether the new horror "Weapons" is worth watching—the one that even Stephen King praised.