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One False Move

One False Move

Crime · Drama · Thriller · 1992

Following a series of drug deals and murders, three criminals -- Fantasia, Ray Malcolm and Pluto -- 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, to alert him of the fugitives' presence in the area. Underestimating Dixon, the criminals have no idea what they are about to face.

Movie details

One False Move

“There was no crime in Star City, Arkansas. No murder. And no fear. Until now.”

1992 Crime · Drama · Thriller 1h 45m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.7 / 10

Community rating

Following a series of drug deals and murders, three criminals -- Fantasia, Ray Malcolm and Pluto -- 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, to alert him of the fugitives' presence in the area. Underestimating Dixon, the criminals have no idea what they are about to face.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over One False Move?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Carl Franklin

Written by

Billy Bob Thornton · Tom Epperson

Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton

Dale "Hurricane" Dixon

Cynda Williams

Cynda Williams

Fantasia / Lila

Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton

Ray Malcolm

Michael Beach

Michael Beach

Pluto

Jim Metzler

Jim Metzler

Dud Cole

Earl Billings

Earl Billings

McFeely

Natalie Canerday

Natalie Canerday

Cheryl Ann

Court is in session

Put One False Move on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.