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Drama

Good One (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Good One (2024) movie poster

Good One is a 2024 drama directed by India Donaldson, starring Lily Collias as Sam, James Le Gros and Danny McCarthy. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $383,701 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2025. Critics gave it 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
worldwide gross
$383.7K
award nomination
1
Echo Score
90
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Good One (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
India Donaldson
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Good One About?

The premise of Good One without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a family getaway in the Catskill Mountains, a teenage girl named Sam finds herself caught between her charming but self-centered father and his longtime friend. The weekend trip becomes a complex exploration of family relationships, generational differences, and a young woman's search for her own identity.

Good One Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • friendship between men
  • 17 year old
  • teenage girl
  • backpacking
  • catskill mountains new york
  • father daughter relationship
  • teenage protagonist
  • female protagonist
  • title directed by female
  • triple f rated
  • f rated
  • female writer
+2 more
  • friendship
  • female director
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Cast & crew

Good One Cast & Characters

Lily Collias leads the cast as Sam, with James Le Gros as Chris and Danny McCarthy as Matt. Directed by India Donaldson; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Good One

· 8 more
Ratings

Good One Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Good One 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 90/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (80).

90 /100

Good One Echo Score Breakdown

Good One excels in controlled subtlety and nuanced performances that elevate its low-key narrative. Most critics note India Donaldson’s assured direction and finely tuned tone, while Collias’ measured portrayal anchors the film’s emotional core. The minimalist storytelling and understated soundscape combine to deliver a quietly powerful coming-of-age drama. Altogether, these elements coalesce into a compelling and resonant experience that rewards thoughtful engagement.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film demonstrates assured visual control and elegant shot composition. Reviews highlight Wilson Cameron’s nature-centric cinematography and India Donaldson’s efficient use of framing to sustain tone. Critics also praise the tight editing that avoids superfluous shots and maintains a clear visual rhythm. Overall, the direction and production design combine for a polished and cohesive cinematic presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    In terms of character depth, the film benefits from nuanced performances that convey subtle emotional shifts. The lead portrayal is described as restrained yet impactful, charting Sam’s transformation with clarity. Observers note the palpable chemistry among the cast and the precise handling of interpersonal tensions. Ultimately, the emotional resonance of these performances grounds the narrative in relatable human experience.

  • Story & Flow 85

    When it comes to Story & Flow, the film’s minimalist structure prioritizes emotional clarity over conventional plot mechanics. Multiple observers praise the understated pacing and subtle narrative beats that unfold with precision. The avoidance of overt tropes enhances the sense of genuine character discovery, though some viewers desired more dramatic events. Overall, the coherent narrative progression maintains engagement through thoughtful simplicity.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film employs an understated acoustic score and deliberate sound design to complement its visual restraint. The nature-centric cinematography captures the Catskills’ textures, while careful use of silence amplifies emotional moments. Reviewers commend the cohesive interplay of audio and imagery that sustains the film’s immersive atmosphere. Ultimately, this sound-and-vision integration fosters a quietly compelling sensory landscape.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    When considering Rewatch Factor, the film’s layered details and minimalist design suggest strong repeat potential for attentive viewers. Subtle emotional beats and information-rich visual nuances reward subsequent viewings, though the restrained pacing may feel deliberate on first effort. While some audience members might desire more overt developments, the film’s quiet depth and measured revelations offer lasting appeal. Overall, it invites reconsideration over time.

Plot

Good One Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Good One from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Sam is a girl who plans to go on a weekend-long camping trip in the Catskills with her father Chris, his recently divorced friend Matt, and Matt’s son Dylan. Dylan, resentful of the divorce, refuses to go. [Sam] seems upset by this and offers to talk to Dylan, but he rebuffs her.

On the way there, Matt cracks jokes and Chris needles him, the kind of banter that hints at a long, tangled history between the two men. Sam dozes in the back of the car and stirs only when Chris asks her to respond to a text on his phone.

Full summary

The whole story of Good One, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Good One Box Office

Good One grossed $383,701 worldwide. $352,135 came from the US and Canada and $31,566 (8%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$383.7K

US & Canada
$352.1K
International
$31.6K
US & Canada 92% Rest of the world 8%
Awards

Good One Awards & Nominations

Good One earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2025.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Good One Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette Good One Intro by Rajendra Roy
  • Featurette India Donaldson, Lily Collias, and James Le Gros on Good One
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Good One?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who are the two adult men accompanying Sam on the camping trip?

Cars

Cars in Good One

8 cars on screen, including the 2010 Subaru Outback and the 2010 Honda CR-V.

All 8 cars
  • 2010 Subaru Outback in Good One 2010 Subaru Outback Main role
  • 2010 Honda CR-V in Good One 2010 Honda CR-V Background role
  • 2019 Kia Forte in Good One 2019 Kia Forte Background role
  • 2013 Ram 1500 in Good One 2013 Ram 1500 Background role
Details

Good One Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “همین خوبه” and “عالی بود”.

Also known as
  • همین خوبه
  • عالی بود
  • بد نبود
  • Dobra córka
  • 좋은 사람
  • 露營悄悄話
  • Hayırlı Evlat
  • Хорошенькая
  • Boa Menina
  • 好孩子
  • Geras
  • Гарненька
+1 more
  • Una bună

Seen Good One?

FAQ

Good One FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Good One, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Good One?

Good One runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Good One released?

Good One was released on August 9, 2024.

Who directed Good One?

Good One was directed by India Donaldson.

More films by India Donaldson

Who is in the cast of Good One?

Good One stars Lily Collias as Sam, James Le Gros as Chris and Danny McCarthy as Matt, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Good One make at the box office?

Good One grossed $383,701 worldwide ($352,135 domestic, $31,566 international).

How is Good One rated?

Good One has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 87 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Was Good One nominated for any awards?

Good One received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Good One have a post-credit scene?

No. Good One has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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