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critics consensus

One False Move makes nary a misstep as it unfurls a seedy caper with hard-hitting action and sly humor, marking an arresting debut for director Carl Franklin. Read critic reviews

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One False Move Photos

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Movie Info

Following a series of drug deals and murders, three criminals -- Fantasia (Cynda Williams), Ray Malcolm (Billy Bob Thornton) and Pluto (Michael Beach) -- travel from Los Angeles to Houston, finally arriving in a small Arkansas town to go into hiding. Two detectives from the LAPD, who are already on the case, contact the town's sheriff, Dale Dixon (Bill Paxton), to alert him of the fugitives' presence in the area. Underestimating Dixon, the criminals have no idea what they are about to face.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    drama, crime
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Carl Franklin
  • Writer:
    Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $44.5K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    IRS Media
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby, Surround, Stereo

Cast & Crew

Bill Paxton
Chief Dale 'Hurricane' Dixon
Cynda Williams
Lila 'Fantasia' Walker
Billy Bob Thornton
Ray Malcolm
Michael Beach
Wade 'Pluto' Franklin
Jim Metzler
Lt. Dudley 'Dud' Cole
Earl Billings
Det. John McFeely
Natalie Canerday
Cheryl Ann Dixon
Carl Franklin
Director
Billy Bob Thornton
Writer
Tom Epperson
Writer
Paul Colichman
Executive Producer
Miles A. Copeland III
Executive Producer
Harold Welb
Executive Producer
Peter Haycock
Original Music
Derek Holt
Original Music
Terry Plumeri
Original Music
James L. Carter
Cinematographer
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News & Interviews for One False Move

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Billy Bob Thornton’s 10 Best Movies
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Critic Reviews for One False Move

All Critics (52) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (3)

  • Franklin seizes the opportunity to make a film that tightly binds up any political concerns it may have into the plot.

    November 16, 2017 | Full Review…

    Adam Mars-Jones

    Independent (UK)

  • Clark Franklin's One False Move brings a shotgun to a knife fight, and the results aren't pretty.

    May 6, 2017 | Full Review…

    Glenn Heath Jr.

    Slant Magazine

  • Franklin's convincing portrait of life on both sides of the color line isn't quite like anything I've come across before, making One False Move one very assured directorial move. We need more filmmakers like him.

    May 6, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Michael Upchurch

    Seattle Times

  • For most of the way, One False Move is taut and sure-footed.

    May 6, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Rainer

    Los Angeles Times

  • Skillfully performed and welcomely unpredictable, this low-budget crime film, made by actor turned director Carl Franklin, starts out as a herky-jerky exploitation piece, then turns into something better.

    May 6, 2013

    Michael Sragow

    New Yorker

  • Everything about this movie -- the terse writing, the concise directing, the smart, unaffected acting -- is eminently satisfying.

    May 6, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Steven Rea

    Philadelphia Inquirer
View All Critic Reviews (52)

Audience Reviews for One False Move

  • Feb 06, 2012
    Hard boiled. Pretty much unmemorable.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Nov 29, 2011
    Solid direction but ultimately a disappointment. A few parts greatly intrigued me, but as for the rest of the film, it was pretty much routine for a crime thriller.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Aug 14, 2011
    Solid direction but ultimately a disappointment. A few parts greatly intrigued me, but as for the rest of the film, it was pretty much routine for a crime thriller.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Jul 23, 2011
    One False Move was simply a beautiful, and little seen, crime film. Three drug dealers on the run are suspected to be heading towards Arkansas. Here, a couple of big city cops meet up with the local sheriff. Paxton is fantastic in this role. He's not very worldly, has never had to use his gun, and is just a little too excited about the approaching threat. His enthusiasm comes off as naivety, and he is laughed off by the LAPD. The film does well to follow the cops and the killers. We see a bizarre triangle between the murderers. Thornton is filled with anger and out of control, whereas his partner is cool and calm but ultimately terrifying. The pacing of this film was done very well, offering moments of tension in a film that has a lot of waiting around. It also harvests a lot of emotion and depth for its characters. Paxton comes off the best as a giddy little boy waiting for Christmas. There are some great moments, such as his reaction to hearing the teasing from the city cops. Another scene sees him use the "n" word in front of the black cop. His facial expression is priceless, as he realises what he has said. Eventually Paxton takes responsibility, and he shows that his enthusiasm masks his competence. A big fish in a small pond. One False Move is very dark, but has a lot going for it. Most of all the tender ending.
    Luke B Super Reviewer
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