If you’ve finished Netflix’s series Adolescence and are yearning for more, UNILAD RANKED presents five outstanding films that utilize a ‘one-shot’ technique.
Adolescence, brought to life by Jack Thorne, Stephen Graham, and director Philip Barantini, has been lauded not only for its insightful exploration of male violence but also for its stunning technical artistry, with each episode crafted in a continuous one-take style.
This week’s edition of UNILAD RANKED introduces you to five films that, while not all shot in continuous takes like Adolescence, are equally remarkable in their execution. These films are ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
For those who have recently experienced Last Breath in theaters and marveled at Woody Harrelson’s performance, you’ll be pleased to know that Lost in London showcases Harrelson not only acting but also writing and directing.
Lost in London, inspired by Harrelson’s real-life arrest in London, features him, Owen Wilson, and Willie Nelson as they navigate a series of escapades in the city. The film is notable not just for its compelling narrative but also for being shot in a single take and live-streamed worldwide on January 19, 2017, with Nigel Willoughby as the cinematographer.
With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 75 and a popcornmeter of 65, one viewer describes Lost in London as “a miraculous oddity.”
The 2015 film Victoria, penned by Olivia Neergaard-Holm, Sebastian Schipper, and Eike Frederik Schulz and directed by Schipper, features Laia Costa, Frederick Lau, and Franz Rogowski.
Victoria follows a young Spanish woman who finds herself entangled with a questionable crowd in Berlin, raising the stakes as she navigates unexpected situations. Shot in a single take over the course of 134 minutes, Victoria boasts a Rotten Tomatoes score of 82.5. A fan remarked on the impressive improvisation and continuous shooting.
Another fan tweeted their admiration for the film’s real-time depiction of a bank heist, calling it an “impressive feat done in film.”
Birdman, a dark-comedy crafted by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and others, with Iñárritu also directing, stars Michael Keaton and an impressive ensemble cast including Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts. While not entirely filmed in one go, its clever transitions create the illusion of a continuous shot, earning a Rotten Tomatoes median score of 84.5.
Fans on Twitter have praised Birdman as an “undated masterpiece” and marveled at its seamless long takes.
1917, written by Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns and directed by Mendes, follows two British soldiers in a desperate bid to prevent a military disaster. Featuring stars like Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Colin Firth, the film uses cleverly disguised edits to simulate a one-shot experience, earning dual scores of 88 on Rotten Tomatoes.
Viewers have been left in awe of the film’s immersive camera work and intense storytelling.
The top spot goes to Boiling Point, penned by Philip Barantini and James Cummings and directed by Barantini. Starring Stephen Graham and others, the film authentically portrays the high-pressure environment of a restaurant kitchen through a single, unedited shot.
With an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 99, Boiling Point has been celebrated for its raw and realistic depiction of kitchen life.
Fans have praised it as an unforgettable experience and a masterpiece in Graham’s filmography.
With such high praise for these films, which one will you watch next? UNILAD RANKED is a weekly series with new articles released every Friday.