A Single Shot Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hunter shoots a girl, finds a ton of money, then everyone wants to kill him for the money he probably should have turned in, resulting in one bad day.

🍿 A Single Shot: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Accidental Shooting and Discovery

John Moon, a poacher struggling with his estranged wife, accidentally shoots a young woman while illegally hunting. He discovers a box of money near her body and, driven by desperation, hides the body and takes the cash. This sets off a chain of events that quickly spirals out of control.

Caught in a Web of Crime

Moon’s actions attract the attention of dangerous criminals who are searching for the missing money. He becomes entangled in a tense and atmospheric game of cat and mouse, facing threats and violence as he tries to protect himself and his family. The film explores the moral complexities of his situation and the consequences of his choices.

Descent into Darkness

As the criminals close in, Moon descends further into darkness, making increasingly desperate decisions. He struggles to maintain control as the situation deteriorates, blurring the lines between hunter and hunted. The film highlights the harsh realities of rural life and the desperation that can drive people to extreme measures.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Moon (Sam Rockwell): A down-on-his-luck poacher whose life spirals out of control after accidentally shooting a young woman and stealing her money.
• Simon (Jeffrey Wright): John’s perpetually drunk and unreliable friend who provides fragmented information and a dose of reckless behavior.
• Jess (Kelly Reilly): John’s estranged wife, who is seeking a divorce and represents a hope for a better future he desperately tries to reclaim.
• Waylon (Jason Isaacs): A hardened criminal and former cellmate who relentlessly hunts down John for the stolen money.
• Pitt (William H. Macy): A seemingly harmless but deceptively corrupt lawyer who offers John questionable advice and further complicates his situation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Obadiah: “You know how it is, John, my dick’s a basset hound. I’m just the poor son of a bitch holding its chain.” – Obadiah is trying to rationalize his actions and lack of control to John.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10 million
• Domestic Gross: $18,642
• Worldwide Gross: $18,642

💥 A Single Shot Reviews

Personal Review

I was immediately drawn into the dark and gritty world of ‘A Single Shot.’ Rockwell’s portrayal of John Moon is captivating, and I genuinely felt his desperation. The film’s slow burn creates a constant sense of dread, and the ending left me with a haunting feeling. It’s not a feel-good movie, but it’s one that sticks with you. The scene where he finds the money is a turning point; you can see the internal struggle on his face. I also really appreciated how the cinematography captured the bleakness of the rural setting; it added so much to the overall atmosphere. Definitely a worthwhile watch if you enjoy character-driven thrillers.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven stories”
  • “Those who appreciate films set in rural, atmospheric environments”
  • “Sam Rockwell fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Rockwell delivers a compelling performance. The cinematography fits the dark story well, and the musical score adds to the tension. The story is grim, in a Jack London style. It won’t inspire you, but it might bring you closer to the human condition.
• Film Inquiry: “With a strong performance by Sam Rockwell and a well-crafted atmosphere, ‘A Single Shot’ manages to be a captivating thriller. The slow pace and ambiguous ending might not appeal to everyone, but those who appreciate character-driven narratives will find much to enjoy.
• IndieWire: “‘A Single Shot’ is a decent entry in the backwoods crime genre. The bleak cinematography creates a palpable sense of dread. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the performances are solid, making it worth a watch for genre fans.

Audience Reactions

Sam Rockwell’s performance is outstanding and carries the entire movie.: Viewers praised Sam Rockwell’s performance and the movie’s atmospheric tension.

The movie’s ending is ambiguous, leaving viewers to interpret the outcome.: Audiences appreciated the movie’s exploration of moral ambiguity and realistic characters.

Overall Consensus: A Single Shot is a dark and atmospheric thriller with a strong lead performance by Sam Rockwell. While some viewers found the pacing slow and the ending ambiguous, most appreciated the movie’s gritty realism and exploration of morality.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Michael Fassbender, Thomas Haden Church, and Forest Whitaker were all considered for roles in the film, but ultimately did not participate.”
• “The film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, utilizing the natural, rugged landscape to create the backwoods setting.”
• “The screenwriter, Matthew F. Jones, adapted the screenplay from his own novel.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Single Shot?

A Single Shot is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Physical copies (DVDs, Blu-rays) may also be available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon or at local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Single Shot, you might like these similar films:

• A Simple Plan (1998): Deals with ordinary people finding money and making increasingly bad decisions.
• No Country for Old Men (2007): Features a dark, neo-western setting and the consequences of finding a bag of money.
• Winter’s Bone (2010): Set in a rural, impoverished community with a focus on crime and survival.
• Blue Ruin (2013): Features a man caught up in backwoods violence after a tragic accident.

🛒 A Single Shot Related Products

• Sam Rockwell Movie Collection: A collection of Sam Rockwell’s best movies. Watch his outstanding acting performances in various genres including Drama, Crime and Comedy. Includes films like ‘Moon’, ‘Seven Psychopaths’ and others.
• Backwoods Crime Thriller Blu-ray Bundle: A curated collection of modern backwoods crime thrillers on Blu-ray, including ‘A Single Shot,’ ‘Winter’s Bone,’ and ‘Hell or High Water.’ This bundle offers hours of suspenseful viewing with compelling characters and gripping stories.
• West Virginia Mountain Landscape Poster: A high-quality poster featuring a beautiful yet haunting photograph of the West Virginia mountains, inspired by the film’s setting. Printed on premium paper, this poster captures the atmosphere of the movie.
• A Single Shot: The Original Novel: Immerse yourself in the original novel by Matthew F. Jones, the source material for the film. Explore the deeper psychological aspects of the characters and the story’s complex themes. A must-read for fans who want to explore the story more deeply.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Single Shot features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “A Shade of Difference” – performed by Bozo Darnell
• “Original Score” – performed by Atli Örvarsson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jess Glynne – Take Me Home [One Shot]

Ever wondered about the raw emotion behind ‘Take Me Home’? Jess Glynne’s ‘One Shot’ video is incredibly vulnerable and powerful, stripping everything back to the core of the song. Honestly, it hits you right in the feels!

A satisfying chemical reaction

Who doesn’t love a good science experiment? This chemical reaction is not only fascinating to watch, but it’s also visually satisfying and has an incredibly high view count.

Ferran – ONE SHOT (Official Music Video)

Ready for some catchy tunes and cool visuals? Ferran’s ‘ONE SHOT’ music video is a total vibe, and the choreography is insane! Give it a watch, you won’t regret it.

✨ Rate