One and only: 7 One shot movies that you shouldn't miss

There's something completely mesmerizing about a one-shot movie. Whether actually shot in a single, unbroken take or artfully edited to make it seem that way, these films eliminate the distance between the audience and the narrative. The camera never winks, and neither do you. In an era of flashy cuts and rapid-fire editing, one-shot movies have the courage to slow things down or accelerate them with relentless, unbroken pace. They're raw, immersive, and immensely hard to execute, demanding sharp choreography, razor-sharp acting, and brain-melting cinematography. But when they succeed, they work big time.

Far more than a cinematic gimmick, the one-shot style heightens emotion and tension. It confines you to the moment with the actors, be it on the battlefields of war, the riot of a kitchen, or the hush of an unfolding tragedy. What's more impressive? Most of these movies are supported by live-action performances, very little editing trickery, and are usually filmed in single or double takes. If you're seeking films that redefine storytelling and cinematic craft, this list is your treasure trove. Here are seven one-shot masterpieces that don't merely tell a story; they draw you into it.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

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One shot movies that you shouldn't miss

1) 1917 (2019)

Sam Mendes' 1917 is not only a war movie, it's a visceral dive into World War I, presented in what appears to be one continuous shot. Based on tales from Mendes' grandfather, the film weaves together long takes with effortless cuts, conveying claustrophobia, terror, and brief hope. Roger Deakins' Oscar-winning photography is instrumental, rendering the battlefield a living thing. A little-known fact: Mendes was a big believer in rehearsals over storyboards, using the set as a theater stage. This risk by the director paid off, revolutionizing the way war stories can be told, personal, close, and shatteringly human.

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2) Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Birdman is a daring camera illusion that feels like a bad dream. While cleverly pieced together, it seems one long, panting take from the perspective of a faded movie star. Michael Keaton's self-referential performance gestures toward his Batman history, but what's generally overlooked is the way the camera is its own actor, tracking, floating, sometimes stalking. The film's jazz-drum soundtrack by Antonio Sánchez was improvised live while filming. Even more intriguing: certain transitions were shot at various times of day but perfectly covered up by lighting. It's not a one-shot movie, it's a ballet of madness and rebirth.

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3) Russian Ark (2002)

Sokurov's Russian Ark is a feat of technical and artistic virtuosity, a bona fide one-take picture photographed entirely on one 96-minute Steadicam shot along St. Petersburg's Winter Palace. No hidden cuts, no digital sleight-of-hand. More than 2,000 actors, three orchestras, and four centuries of Russian culture prance down hallways inside what amounts to a living museum. What is staggering is the fact that they only had a day to shoot it. After several unsuccessful attempts, their fourth try, just hours before closing time, was the last, flawless one. It's still a ghostly time capsule, an ethereal waltz through culture, memory, and imperial excess.

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4) Victoria (2015)

Sebastian Schipper's Victoria isn't "made to look" like it's one shot; it is. Filmed in Berlin over 138 continuous minutes, this real-time thriller begins with a girl exiting a club and devolves into a botched bank robbery. What makes Victoria innovative isn't the technical achievement; it's the improvisational performance. Laia Costa, who plays Victoria, memorized only a rough outline. The raw emotion you see? Real. The streets weren't shut down, and cars, pedestrians, and bedlams were live variables. Shot on the Canon EOS C300 Mark II, the movie mashes guerrilla filmmaking with cinematic accuracy to create an adrenaline-fueled masterpiece.

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5) Boiling Point (2021)

Shot in a single 93-minute take in a tense London restaurant, Boiling Point makes dinner service a ticking time bomb. Stephen Graham plays a head chef who is on the brink of breaking point. What is interesting is that the concept stemmed from a short film by director Philip Barantini, who was also once a chef. The screenplay was tweaked subtly during rehearsals according to suggestions from the cast in order to create the real chaos. Actual chefs as extras were recruited to maintain plausible kitchen interactions. Unlike most single-shot movies, Boiling Point doesn't hinge on spectacle; instead, it lives off visceral, lived-in tension.

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6) Timecode (2000)

Mike Figgis' Timecode is by far the most daring experiment on this list. Rather than a single continuous take, it contains four 93-minute continuous takes presented all at once in split-screen mode. Yes, four stories unfold in real time, and the viewer gets to choose where to direct their attention. A Hollywood satire in its essence, it was filmed digitally, a novelty for 2000, and rehearsed like a play for weeks. Figgis even performed live music during shooting. What's interesting is the way that audio levels change to direct attention subtly.

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7) Utoya: July 22 (2018)

Utoya: July 22 doesn't merely show tragedy, it puts you within it. Based on the actual 2011 mass shooting in Norway, this Norwegian drama takes place in a single uninterrupted 72-minute shot. Director Erik Poppe made a strong choice: he never focused on the portrayal of the terrorist's perspective. Instead, the attention remains on the victims, especially a fictional teenager named Kaja. The actors rehearsed vigorously with survivors' consultation, maintaining authenticity and respect. What distinguishes this film is its resistance to sensationalizing trauma. The real-time approach transforms the screen into a mirror of helplessness, compelling the audience to experience the perpetuity of terror, minute by minute.