One Mile: Chapter One

R Feb 20, 2026 Action · Brisk 86 minutes that doesn't waste time on setup.
Insufficient data available
7.8/10
IMDb
2.68/5
Letterboxd
🎬
7.1/10
TMDB
Rewatch
diminishing returns
Attention
half watch ok
Phone-check
medium

The brief

Ryan Phillippe brings surprising emotional weight to what could have been a generic dad-on-the-run thriller, anchoring the father-daughter dynamic even when the cult plotline gets predictably bonkers. The college tour setup gives it a road movie feel before morphing into something closer to a lean 80s action flick, complete with C. Thomas Howell chewing scenery as you'd expect. It moves fast enough that you don't have time to question the logic, and Amélie Hoeferle holds her own against Phillippe's wounded ex-con routine. Perfect for anyone who misses mid-budget action movies that actually care about character relationships between the car chases.

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The verdict

If you miss lean, character-driven action thrillers that prioritize father-daughter relationships over explosive spectacle, this delivers exactly the kind of mid-budget entertainment Hollywood rarely makes anymore. If you need your action movies to make complete logical sense or can't tolerate cult conspiracy plots that get increasingly ridiculous, you'll spend more time rolling your eyes than enjoying the ride.

Watch with

  • 👥 Perfect for action movie night with friends
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Good father-daughter viewing despite violence
  • ⚠️ Skip if you need pure family-friendly content

Heads up

  • Cult violence and pursuit sequences (moderate)
  • Strong language throughout (frequent)
  • Child in peril situations (moderate)

Credits

Director
Adam Davidson
Cast
Ryan Phillippe, Amélie Hoeferle, C. Thomas Howell, Sara Canning, Anthony Timpano, Sage Linder, Andre Tricoteux
Official synopsis

After being released from prison, a father tries to reconnect with his daughter by taking her on a tour of

The Double

Make a night of it
Poster for You Were Never Really Here

Pair this with You Were Never Really Here (2017)

Both feature violent father figures seeking redemption through protecting someone vulnerable.

Total runtime: 1h 26m + 1h 29m = 2h 55m

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