The Lost Bus is a disaster movie driven by humanity

There are two types of disaster movies. The first is where things are so unbelievable, so ridiculous, that audiences are invited to relish the destruction guilt-free, grinning over their popcorn buckets. The second kind is far more grounded. 

In this instance, it’s made very clear that proceedings are, in fact, set in our reality, making events come across as harrowing more than enjoyably thrilling.

New survival drama The Lost Bus does at times skirt the first category due to instances of strained credibility and cinematographic flair that feel lifted straight out of an escapist blockbuster. However, based on a portion of non-fiction book Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson, it’s still a true story – chronicling the deadliest, and arguably most destructive, wildfire in California history, which occurred in November 2018. 

And the film’s humanising approach to real-life events quickly has audiences clutching their armrests with a white-knuckled steering wheel grip.

Notably, behind the camera for The Lost Bus is writer-director Paul Greengrass, a filmmaker whose resume is peppered with movies based on historical events – in addition to three Jason Bourne films. These efforts include Bloody Sunday, United 93, Captain Phillips, and 22 July. 

As with those films, in The Lost Bus, Greengrass zooms in on the people, because even if they’re not fleshed out as characters, their reactions to the unfolding situation effectively stoke empathy in the viewer. 

There are no moustache-twirling villains here; everyone is simply doing their best in the situation as tensions flare, coupled with cognisance that out-of-control emotion will prove as deadly to those affected as the raging fires.

While firefighters and other figures of authority receive screen time in The Lost Bus, the film is really centred on one everyman: bus driver Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), who finds himself responsible for the survival of 22 children in the middle of an out-of-control inferno. 

As a little more context for what has since been dubbed the Camp Fire, a combination of drought, gale-strength winds and ageing electricity infrastructure combined to create a perfect fire storm – one of unprecedented scale, that was to destroy more than 1,300 homes and claim 85 lives as it raged over mountainsides and crossed canyons as a single fiery monster.

With an evacuation order in place, Kevin, who is established early on as a down-on-his-luck figure, must transport uncollected elementary school students to a pick-up point for their parents. Teacher Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera) is also onboard, trying to keep the kids calm even as the situation spirals out of control. 

What should be a simple 10-minute drop-off becomes a terrifying odyssey with gridlocked traffic, downed communications, buildings bursting into flame, desperate people on foot indistinguishable from looters, escalating heat and thirst, and some mechanical issues for good measure. Events take place under skies turned black with smoke, adding to the nightmare as time becomes meaningless.

For audiences who don’t live with the threat of wildfires, The Lost Bus is eye-opening. And often terrifying. 

As already mentioned, while some of the character actions challenge belief, generally the film comes across as grounded, and it’s anchored by McConaughey’s likeable but restrained performance.

Meanwhile, Greengrass adopts a similarly earnest approach. He could have loaded The Lost Bus with CGI and practical effects carnage, but again keeps a measured pressure on the accelerator – barring one intense rescue scene long before the flames reach Paradise. 

The Lost Bus is peppered with archival footage, and swooping camerawork simulate the blaze’s movements, as embers are carried long distances by the wind. However, the focus stays on the people, with handheld, over-the-shoulder shots putting viewers in the middle of the action as this particular Northern California community tries to cope with the disaster, and save as many lives as possible.

The Lost Bus doesn’t mince words about how the climate crisis is worsening, but its strongest and most memorable message is that heroes are often the most ordinary people. Especially for those who are chronically online, and exposed to the most hateful comments, The Lost Bus restores a little faith in humanity. It shows that in a crisis, people are capable of courage, compassion and integrity, which makes all the difference. DM

The Lost Bus is streaming now on Apple TV. This review was first published on PFangirl.