Movies: Good One (2024) by India Donaldson: A Quiet Crisis in the Catskills

A coming-of-age story that's not about the teen, but the adults around her.

Good One is a subtle, character-driven drama that serves as the feature directorial debut of India Donaldson. The film follows 17-year-old Sam on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskill Mountains with her father, Chris, and his long-time best friend, Matt. What begins as a planned father-daughter bonding trip soon turns into a tense journey as Sam is forced to navigate the fragile egos and unspoken conflicts of the two middle-aged men. The film has been praised for its quiet, naturalistic approach to storytelling and its powerful, understated lead performance by newcomer Lily Collias.

Why to recommend movie: The Uncomfortable Truths of Adulthood

• A Unique Coming-of-Age Narrative: Unlike traditional coming-of-age stories that focus on a teen's personal milestones, Good One centers on a young woman's realization of her parents' flaws. It is about the moment when a child stops seeing their parents as infallible and begins to recognize their vulnerabilities, self-absorption, and emotional baggage. The film masterfully uses the isolated setting to create a pressure cooker environment where these uncomfortable truths can't be avoided.

• Subtle, Masterful Storytelling: The film's power lies in what's unsaid. Director India Donaldson uses quiet moments, lingering shots, and the expressive face of Lily Collias to convey a wealth of emotion and subtext. There are no dramatic explosions or over-the-top confrontations; instead, the tension builds gradually through passive-aggressive remarks, awkward silences, and the quiet weight of Sam's observations.

• Relatable, Imperfect Characters: The characters in Good One feel incredibly real. Chris, the father, is well-intentioned but emotionally obtuse. Matt, the friend, is self-pitying and struggling with his recent divorce. Neither man is a monster, but their flawed humanity and selfish behaviors place an emotional burden on Sam, a dynamic many viewers will find deeply relatable. The film's title, "Good One," is a double-edged compliment, hinting at the burden of being the "perfect" or "wise" child in a broken family.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/good-one (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/good-one (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/good-one (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/good-one (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/good-one (France)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30319516/

About movie: https://www.visitfilms.com/good-one/

What is the Trend followed: The Rise of "Quiet" Cinema

• Minimalist, Naturalistic Filmmaking: The film is part of a growing trend of "quiet" cinema, characterized by a minimalist plot, naturalistic dialogue, and a focus on intimate, character-driven moments. This style often uses the setting as a crucial element of the story, with slow, contemplative shots of nature or everyday life. Good One is often compared to the work of acclaimed independent director Kelly Reichardt, known for films like Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy, which similarly explore human relationships against a backdrop of natural landscapes.

• Internalized Conflict: This trend avoids conventional blockbuster-style conflict and instead centers on internalized emotional turmoil and subtle psychological tension. The drama in Good One comes not from external action, but from the slow, quiet erosion of a daughter's respect for her father. The film trusts the audience to read between the lines and understand the gravity of the unspoken.

Director's Vision: Capturing the Unspoken Pressures of Adulthood

• Intimacy and Scope: India Donaldson's vision was to create a film that was both intimate and emotionally expansive. She wrote the film during the pandemic, when she was living with her family, observing how isolated environments can heighten family dynamics. She chose the outdoors as a manageable setting but wanted to explore an ambitious emotional story within it.

• Humor and Melancholy: Donaldson has cited filmmaker Mike Leigh as a major influence, praising his ability to show humor and melancholy existing in close proximity. This is evident in Good One, where light-hearted banter and shared jokes between the men are interspersed with moments of palpable tension and sadness.

• Focus on Female Perspective: The film is shot almost entirely from Sam's point of view, with frequent close-ups on her face as she observes the men's behavior. This directorial choice places the audience firmly in her shoes, forcing us to feel her discomfort and disillusionment as the trip unfolds. Donaldson's vision was to create a deeply perceptive portrait of a young woman's silent self-defense against the overbearing egos of the men in her life.

Themes: The Patriarchal Burden and the Illusion of Nature's Escape

• Gender Dynamics and the Patriarchy: A central theme is the subtle, banal misogyny and gendered expectations placed on women. Sam is often the "designated nurturer," cooking for the men and cleaning up after them. The film shows how men's egos and emotional needs can dominate a space, leaving little room for women to be seen or heard as equals. Sam's journey is about resisting this prescribed role.

• The Myth of Escaping Reality: The film challenges the idea that a trip into nature is a perfect escape from everyday problems. Chris and Matt bring all their baggage—failed marriages, bruised egos, and personal anxieties—with them into the wilderness. The beautiful scenery and serene setting are in stark contrast to the emotional ugliness and tension simmering beneath the surface.

• Disillusionment with Adulthood: The movie explores the heartbreaking moment when a child loses a degree of innocence and becomes disillusioned with the adults they once admired. Sam's realization that her father and his friend are not the wise, capable men she thought they were but rather selfish, pathetic, and emotionally stunted individuals is the core emotional arc of the film.

Key success factors: An Understated Masterpiece of Performance and Atmosphere

• Lily Collias's Central Performance: The film's greatest strength is the quiet, restrained performance of Lily Collias. She conveys Sam's complex emotional journey—from patient observer to quiet rebel—through subtle facial expressions and body language alone. Her ability to hold the screen and communicate so much without dialogue is a tour de force.

• The Power of Setting: The Catskills setting is not just a backdrop but a character in its own right. The claustrophobia of being in an isolated environment with no easy escape, combined with the immense beauty of nature, creates a perfect canvas for the internal drama.

• Authentic Dialogue and Writing: India Donaldson's screenplay is praised for its realism and authenticity. The conversations, arguments, and jokes between the characters feel genuine, contributing to the film's naturalistic and lived-in feel. The dialogue is meticulously crafted to reveal character and advance the subtle conflicts.

Awards & Nominations: A Critically Acclaimed Debut

Good One has received significant acclaim on the festival circuit. It premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. It also screened at the Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight and was nominated for the Best Film award. The film was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay for India Donaldson. The National Board of Review named it one of the top ten independent films of the year and awarded Donaldson with Best Directorial Debut.

Critics Reception: A Quiet but Powerful First Feature

• Deep Focus Review: Critic Brian Eggert described the film as a "quiet, leisurely paced film where little seems to happen on the surface" but noted that it "sneaks up on you, lingering there in your mind like a subtle offense that grows until it feels like a slap in the face." The review praised Lily Collias's performance as an "extraordinary" one that adds "subtext to every scene."

• The Playlist: The review called Good One a "masterful look at discomfort, alienation, and the put-upon fatiguing role of people pleaser" and an "inaudibly heartbreaking" portrait of a girl's self-defense. The review also highlighted how the film's understated style and lack of resolution resonate with viewers who have experienced similar emotional realities.

• Overall Summary: Critics have overwhelmingly praised the film as a remarkable debut for India Donaldson. It is consistently lauded for its subtlety, emotional intelligence, and masterful use of atmosphere and performance. While some have noted its slow pace, most agree that this is a strength that allows the emotional weight of the story to fully land. The film is considered a quiet but profound triumph of indie cinema.

Reviews: Universal Acclaim for a Subtle Tale

• Flickering Myth: The review called Good One an "exquisitely shot devastating coming-of-age story where a girl practically loses all respect for her father" and a film that "always [remains] engaging." The review specifically noted how the film's subtle portrayal of Sam's period, and her need to hide it, adds another layer to her sense of feeling different and uncomfortable on the trip.

• Slate: The review from Slate called Good One the "best debut movie of 2024," and praised the director for her ability to "capture the performative, sometimes aggressive joviality of fatherly banter." The review also highlighted the power of the film's silent moments and how it trusts the audience to "listen, to pay as much attention to what's left unsaid as to its meticulously crafted dialogue."

• Overall Summary: Reviews mirror the critics' reception, praising the film's quiet naturalism and the remarkable performance of Lily Collias. Viewers and critics alike have responded positively to the film's authentic portrayal of family dynamics and its powerful, non-confrontational storytelling style. The consensus is that it's a small film with a big emotional impact.

Movie Trend: The Micro-Drama

Good One is part of the micro-drama trend, a sub-genre of independent film that focuses on a small cast, a contained setting, and a minimal plot. This trend prioritizes character and atmosphere over action and spectacle. The films are often observational and realistic, resembling a slice of life rather than a constructed narrative. This style is often seen in films that premiere at festivals like Sundance and are made on a smaller budget.

Social Trend: The 'Main Character' vs. Reality Check

The film taps into a broader social trend of questioning the "main character" narrative. This trend, often discussed on social media, involves the self-absorbed, performative focus on one's own life and story. Good One deconstructs this by showing how Sam's father and his friend, who are caught up in their own struggles and perceptions, fail to see how their actions impact her. It's a stark reminder that we are not always the main character and that our personal dramas can place an unseen burden on those around us.

Final Verdict: A Profound and Unforgettable Debut

Good One is a quiet, powerful, and deeply affecting film. It is a masterpiece of subtlety, proving that a compelling story doesn't require high-stakes action or dramatic twists. With an exceptional debut performance from Lily Collias and a confident, naturalistic vision from director India Donaldson, the movie is a profound exploration of family dynamics, female identity, and the painful process of seeing adults for who they really are. It's a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, making it a definite must-watch for fans of thoughtful, character-driven cinema.