🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: James Wong
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2001
- Runtime (length): 1h 27min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (98K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 14%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Jet Li fights himself across multiple universes to become super strong, but mostly just kicks people really hard.
🍿 The One: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Multiverse and Yulaw’s Mission
Gabriel Yulaw, a former agent of the Multiverse Authority (MVA), discovers a way to gain immense power by traveling to alternate universes and eliminating versions of himself. Each kill transfers their life energy to him, increasing his strength, speed, and abilities. He believes that by becoming the last ‘One’, he will achieve godlike status.

Gabe Law’s Ordinary Life
In a parallel universe, Gabe Law is a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy living a normal life with his wife, T.K. He starts experiencing unexplained increases in his physical and mental abilities. Unbeknownst to him, these changes are a direct result of Yulaw’s actions in other universes as he eliminates alternate versions of Gabe.

The Pursuit Begins
Yulaw escapes MVA custody and makes his way to Gabe’s universe, intent on finishing his mission. MVA agents Roedecker and Funsch follow, tasked with stopping Yulaw before he can kill Gabe and potentially destabilize the entire multiverse. Their pursuit sets off a chain of events that forces Gabe to confront a reality beyond his comprehension.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Gabe Law (Jet Li): A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy who becomes the target of his alternate self from another universe.
- Gabriel Yulaw (Jet Li): A rogue MVA agent determined to become ‘The One’ by killing all versions of himself in alternate universes.
- Funsch (Jason Statham): A Multiverse Authority agent who partners with Gabe Law to stop Yulaw.
- Roedecker (Delroy Lindo): A veteran MVA agent and Funsch’s partner, dedicated to upholding inter-dimensional law.
- T.K. (Carla Gugino): Gabe Law’s wife, a veterinarian, who gets caught in the crossfire of the multiversal conflict.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Yulaw: “I am Yulaw! I am nobody’s bitch! You are mine.” – Yulaw’s aggressive declaration of dominance embodies his power-hungry and villainous nature.
- Funsch: “He’s not from around here.” – Underlines the nature of Yulaw’s character.
- Roedecker: “Sometimes, to do what’s right, we have to go way off procedure.” – Illustrates the moral conflict faced by the MVA agents in pursuing Yulaw.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $49,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $43,905,746
- Worldwide Gross: $79,630,178
💥 The One Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this expecting some cheesy action, and ‘The One’ totally delivered. The whole ‘kill alternate selves to get stronger’ thing is so ridiculous it’s awesome. The fight scenes with Jet Li battling himself were pretty cool, and I was genuinely rooting for the ‘good’ Jet Li even if his character was kinda bland. The whole movie felt like a video game and in that sense it was fun.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Jet Li and martial arts films”
- “Viewers interested in multiverse and alternate reality concepts”
- “Those who enjoy action-packed movies with over-the-top fight sequences”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense action violence”
- “Martial arts combat”
- “Gun violence”
- “Some language”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While the high-concept premise is intriguing, ‘The One’ ultimately relies too heavily on CGI-enhanced fight sequences, sacrificing character development and emotional resonance for visual spectacle.
- The New York Times: “The film’s action sequences are undeniably energetic, but the plot is convoluted and the performances lack depth. Jet Li’s martial arts skills are on full display, but the overall experience is ultimately forgettable.
- Los Angeles Times: “Jet Li’s charisma and martial arts prowess are undeniable assets, but ‘The One’ suffers from a derivative storyline and an over-reliance on special effects. The film delivers on action, but falls short on originality and emotional impact.
Audience Reactions
The final fight scene between the two Jet Li characters was a high point for many viewers.: Most audience members enjoyed the action sequences and the concept of parallel universes.
Many fans felt that the nu-metal soundtrack really enhanced the fight scenes and the overall energy of the movie.: Audiences appreciated the fast-paced action and Jet Li’s martial arts skills but several users complained about the plot and writing.
Overall Consensus: While ‘The One’ offers plenty of action and a unique premise, it ultimately falls short due to a weak plot and over-reliance on special effects. It’s a fun, brainless action flick for fans of Jet Li, but not much more.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Originally, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was considered for the lead role(s), but Jet Li was ultimately cast.”
- “The film’s concept of parallel universes and absorbing life force draws inspiration from the ‘Highlander’ franchise.”
- “During the fight scenes involving both versions of Jet Li’s character, a stuntman with similar body size was used. His face was painted green, which allowed for the digital replacement in post-production.”
- “The film’s soundtrack features popular nu-metal bands like Drowning Pool and Papa Roach, aiming for a modern and energetic feel.”
🖥️ How to Watch The One?
The One is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable VOD options. Digital purchase allows you to own the movie, while streaming subscriptions offer temporary access as part of their catalog. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The One, you might like these similar films:
- Highlander (1986): Features immortal warriors who gain power by beheading each other, echoing ‘The One’s’ premise of absorbing life force.
- Timecop (1994): Involves a cop traveling through time to stop a villain from altering the past, showcasing similar sci-fi action elements.
- Equilibrium (2002): Features a futuristic law enforcer battling against a system that suppresses emotions, reflecting themes of control and rebellion.
- Looper (2012): Showcases time travel and characters confronting younger versions of themselves, sharing the sci-fi action premise.
- Source Code (2011): Features a soldier who relives the same few minutes of a train bombing over and over again in order to find the bomber.
🛒 The One Related Products
- Jet Li: Fearless [Blu-ray]: A classic Jet Li martial arts film. Explore the origins of the legendary Huo Yuanjia, offering an excellent comparison to Jet Li’s more sci-fi-oriented role in ‘The One’.
- The Matrix Trilogy [4K Ultra HD]: A visually stunning exploration of alternate realities. Immerse yourself in a world where reality is questioned and martial arts meet cutting-edge technology.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Jet Li as Gabe Law: Limited Edition Jet Li Funko figure. Add this rare collectible to your display to showcase the ultimate clash between alternate universes.
- Highlander [Blu-ray]: There can be only one! An immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his immortal opponents to gain the Prize.
🎧 Soundtrack
The One features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Bodies” – performed by Drowning Pool
- “Down with the Sickness” – performed by Disturbed
- “Last Resort” – performed by Papa Roach
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The MVA is a police force that monitors and regulates interdimensional travel between alternate universes in ‘The One’. Their primary role is to prevent unauthorized travel and maintain order across the multiverse.
Each time Yulaw kills a version of himself in another universe, the life energy of the deceased is transferred to the remaining versions, making them stronger, faster, and more powerful. Yulaw aims to absorb all the energy to become ‘The One’.
Agent Funsch feels sympathy for Gabe, who is innocent but would face imprisonment in his own universe for crimes committed by Yulaw. He sends Gabe to a similar universe, providing him with a second chance to live a peaceful life.
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