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Drama thriller

1 Buck (2017): Cast & Ratings

1 Buck (2017) movie poster

1 Buck is a 2017 drama thriller directed by Fabien Dufils, starring Darren Kendrick as Jay, John Freeman and Katie Ryan. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and was made on a reported $1.4 million budget. IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
Echo Score
65
budget
$1.4M
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1 Buck (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Fabien Dufils
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$1.4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 1 Buck About?

The premise of 1 Buck without spoilers.

A single dollar bill's journey through a decaying Louisiana town reveals a poignant portrait of economic hardship. The bill passes through the hands of various residents, each grappling with their own struggles and quietly facing despair. Through its travels, it becomes an unwitting observer of the tragedies and fleeting moments of hope within the community.

1 Buck Themes & Keywords

· 5 tags
  • town
  • female nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • female rear nudity
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Cast & crew

1 Buck Cast & Characters

Darren Kendrick leads the cast as Jay, with John Freeman as Harry and Katie Ryan as Amara. Directed by Fabien Dufils; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Fabien Dufils

One more film directed by Fabien Dufils: Implanted.

Full filmography
Ratings

1 Buck Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate 1 Buck 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (50).

65 /100

1 Buck Echo Score Breakdown

In 1 Buck, the film’s depiction of a gritty Louisiana milieu emerges as its strongest quality. Many reviews praise the authentic production design and raw stylistic choices that immerse viewers in dive bars and rundown neighborhoods, yet critique the uneven scripting that hampers narrative momentum. Although performances receive recognition for their unvarnished realism, the plot coherence and pacing feel disjointed at times, leading to an occasionally fragmented flow. Overall, the movie offers a distinctive atmosphere but struggles to maintain consistent engagement throughout.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and cinematography stand out for their raw authenticity and immersive textures. Many viewers highlight the vivid production design that captures swampy dive bars and crowded streets, though the intrusive handheld "wiggle-cam" effect occasionally distracts. Overall, the visual execution feels purposeful yet uneven.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are noted for their gritty realism and unvarnished authenticity. Several accounts commend the raw energy delivered by the cast, while others find the portrayal of unsympathetic figures limits emotional resonance. Although depth varies across roles, the ensemble evokes a strong sense of place despite mixed engagement.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Regarding story and flow, the central premise of a wandering dollar offers originality but struggles with coherence and pacing. Critics and users point to a meandering script that fails to sustain engagement, with segments feeling disjointed and thematic connections underdeveloped. Despite intermittent narrative ambition, the plot often loses momentum and clarity.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the sound design and soundtrack receive consistent acclaim for their use of real instruments and atmospheric scoring. The visual style enhances the moody setting, delivering immersive textures and measured color palettes. While some find the handheld camera work distracting, the overall aural and visual cohesion remains a notable asset.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s atmospheric strengths may appeal on subsequent viewings for its stylistic authenticity, but its heavy tone and fractured narrative could limit replay value. The uncompromising portrayal of dark themes offers a distinctive mood, yet the lack of sympathetic anchors and narrative consistency may deter repeated viewings.

Videos

1 Buck Trailers & Videos

The trailer of 1 Buck.

1 BUCK Trailer (2017) Thriller, Movie HD
Cars

Cars in 1 Buck

18 cars on screen, including the Equus Bass 770 and the 1989 Cadillac Brougham.

All 18 cars
  • Equus Bass 770 in 1 Buck Equus Bass 770 Main role
  • 1989 Cadillac Brougham in 1 Buck 1989 Cadillac Brougham Important role
  • 2003 Ford Crown Victoria in 1 Buck 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 1994 Chevrolet C-Series in 1 Buck 1994 Chevrolet C-Series Minor role
Details

1 Buck Also Known As

36 alternative titles, including “Zeljonaja kniga” and “Zelenaja kniga”.

Also known as
  • Zeljonaja kniga
  • Zelenaja kniga
  • グリーンブック:2018
  • 幸福綠皮書
  • Green Book: Una Amistad sin Fronteras
  • Կանաչ Գիրք
  • 绿皮书
  • Green Book : Sur les routes du Sud
  • Зелёная книга
  • Yeşil Rehber
  • Зелената книга
  • 그린 북
+24 more
  • 綠簿旅友
  • הספר הירוק
  • Το Πράσινο Βιβλίο
  • Green Book - Eine besondere Freundschaft
  • Зелена книга
  • Zöld könyv - Útmutató az élethez
  • Zelená kniha
  • Green Book: O Guia
  • Zelena knjiga: vodič za život
  • Cartea Verde: O prietenie pe viață
  • Green Book - Um Guia Para a Vida
  • الكتاب الأخضر
  • Зелена књига
  • کتاب سبز
  • Le livre de Green, მწვანე წიგნი
  • Žalioji knyga
  • Ceļvedis
  • Yashil Kitob
  • กรีนบุ๊ค
  • グリーンブック
  • Cẩm Nang Xanh
  • Zelena knjiga
  • Green book
  • Roheline raamat

Seen 1 Buck?

FAQ

1 Buck FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of 1 Buck, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 1 Buck?

1 Buck runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was 1 Buck released?

1 Buck was released on September 22, 2017.

Who directed 1 Buck?

1 Buck was directed by Fabien Dufils.

More films by Fabien Dufils

Who is in the cast of 1 Buck?

1 Buck stars Darren Kendrick as Jay, John Freeman as Harry and Katie Ryan as Amara, among 10 credited actors.

What was the budget of 1 Buck?

1 Buck had a reported budget of $1.4 million.

How is 1 Buck rated?

1 Buck has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 56% on TMDB, 3.8/5 on Letterboxd and 5.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does 1 Buck have a post-credit scene?

No. 1 Buck has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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