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One & Two

One & Two is a 2015 American independent fantasy thriller film written and directed by Andrew Droz Palermo in his feature directorial debut, co-written by Neima Shahdadi, and starring and as two siblings endowed with the supernatural ability to teleport. The story centers on the isolated lives of the young protagonists, Zac and Eva, who reside with their strict, religiously devout father Daniel () and ailing () behind an impenetrable that shields them from the outside world, using their powers as a means of and escape amid growing family tensions. Filmed in a style with atmospheric by Autumn Durald, the movie explores themes of familial control, adolescent , and the blurred lines between fantasy and , drawing comparisons to the works of in its visual lyricism. Palermo, previously known for his on the documentary Rich Hill, made his narrative fiction directorial debut with this project, which was produced by Bow and Arrow Entertainment and February Productions. The film premiered at the on February 9, , in the Generation 14plus section, and received a in the United States on August 14, , distributed by IFC . Critically, One & Two garnered mixed reviews for its ambitious style and strong performances from its young leads—particularly Chalamet in an early leading role before his breakout in films like Call Me by Your Name—but was critiqued for underdeveloped plotting and emotional depth. It holds a 47% approval rating on based on 17 reviews, with critics praising its evocative imagery while noting a lack of . As of November 2025, the film is available for streaming on platforms such as AMC+ and .

Synopsis

Plot

One & Two follows the story of siblings Eva and Zac, who live in with their Christian family on a remote enclosed by a tall wooden , adhering to a strict, electricity-free centered on , hard work, and . Their parents view the outside world as corrupt, enforcing to protect the family, particularly due to the siblings' forbidden ability to teleport short distances, which requires line-of-sight visibility, cannot pass through solid objects, and is often triggered by intense emotions. This gift, perceived as a divine by their father, integrates deeply into the family's oppressive religious dynamics, where the siblings must suppress their powers to avoid punishment, such as having their clothes nailed to walls to prevent escape. The narrative escalates when the siblings' mother succumbs to a severe illness involving seizures, possibly exacerbated by the family's hidden tensions, leading to her death and shattering the fragile household balance. Overwhelmed by grief and , the father blames and Zac's abilities for the tragedy, culminating in his violent attempt to kill to "cure" the family of what he sees as demonic influence. teleports away in desperation, venturing into the unfamiliar outside for the first time, where she grapples with realities, , and the loss of her sheltered life, testing her resilience and longing for her brother. Meanwhile, Zac remains behind, confronting their father's escalating control, which results in an accidental fatal teleportation during a struggle, marking a pivotal break from their upbringing. Reunited after Eva's return, the siblings' unbreakable bond, forged in and shared , faces its ultimate as they confront the remnants of their past. In a symbolic act of renewal and liberation from their oppressive religious confines, they set fire to the family home, embracing an uncertain future together while reflecting on the themes of forbidden gifts, familial tyranny, and the clash between insular faith and external freedoms.

Cast

The principal cast of One & Two features as , the younger sibling endowed with teleportation abilities, portrayed as an obedient yet rebellious teenager driven by about the world beyond her isolated home. Shipka's performance captures Eva's mischievous undercurrent and boundary-testing nature with a subtle edge reminiscent of classic child roles. Timothée Chalamet plays Zac, Eva's older brother who shares her supernatural gifts and exhibits a compliant, playful demeanor while motivated by a desire for normalcy and freedom from familial constraints. Chalamet's portrayal emphasizes the protective sibling dynamic, contributing to the strong chemistry between the leads that underscores their shared emotional tensions. Elizabeth Reaser portrays Elizabeth, the terminally ill mother whose sympathetic presence adds layers of quiet vulnerability to the family unit. Reaser's understated depiction highlights the character's declining health without overt dramatics, enhancing the interpersonal conflicts through subtle emotional restraint. Grant Bowler embodies Daniel, the strict, faith-driven father whose authoritarian control stems from superstitious fears and a need for family obedience, positioning him as a stern antagonist. Bowler's intense performance conveys Daniel's glum disposition and prayerful motivations, intensifying the central relational frictions.

Production

Development

The development of One & Two began with the script, co-written by Andrew Droz and Neima Shahdadi, which explored themes of and adolescence through the story of two siblings discovering abilities in a secluded rural environment. , drawing from his upbringing in rural and research into insular communities like and Mennonite groups as well as feral children, initially drafted the story years before refining it into a structured with Shahdadi, a high school friend and English major. The script received early support through a small grant from the , which facilitated further and efforts, marking 's transition to feature directing. Palermo's background as a cinematographer informed his directorial vision, emphasizing visual storytelling to convey the film's haunting, atmospheric tone without relying heavily on dialogue. Prior to One & Two, he had worked as director of photography on films such as A Teacher (2013) and had co-directed the documentary Rich Hill (2014), which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and honed his skills in capturing intimate, character-driven narratives. This experience positioned One & Two as his narrative feature debut, where he sought to alternate between cinematography and directing roles while maintaining creative control through a precise script. Early production was established under Bow & Arrow Entertainment, February Productions, and Melody, with additional involvement from Protagonist Pictures, reflecting the film's indie roots and collaborative setup. Initial casting targeted emerging young actors to embody the adolescent leads; Kiernan Shipka was selected after a promising with , marking her first major feature role following , while was cast as her on-screen brother, leveraging his rising profile in independent cinema. As a low-budget project, One & Two operated on modest means, with in-state spending exceeding $495,000 in incentives, implying a total under $1 million that constrained equipment like steadicams but prioritized atmospheric visuals.

Filming

for One & Two took place over four weeks in the summer of 2014, primarily in rural areas of to evoke the film's isolated setting. The utilized locations such as Wilmington and surrounding farmlands to simulate a secluded, oppressive , with all shooting completed within the state to maintain a contained, low-budget operation. Director Andrew Droz Palermo, who also contributed to the visual planning, collaborated closely with cinematographer Autumn Durald to balance stark in the everyday scenes with surreal elements in the sequences. Durald, fresh off Palo , joined the project early, arriving in three weeks prior to the start of for and look development; the duo created reference books drawing from films like The Assassination of by the Coward Robert Ford and to achieve a classical, controlled aesthetic with minimal handheld camerawork, favoring dollies, , and a single . For the teleportation sequences, the team employed practical effects such as environmental disturbances—like blowing curtains—to ground the otherworldly moments, supplemented by low-budget in to depict molecular rippling and subtle camera shakes without overpowering the narrative's intimacy. The production faced several on-set challenges inherent to its modest budget and ambitious scope, including adapting to pre-existing locations with limited modifications and navigating the complexities of planning for elements. Storyboards for key VFX-heavy scenes, such as the climactic , initially caused confusion among the crew, requiring green and iterative revisions to clarify the intended visuals. Coordinating with the young lead actors, including 15-year-old , demanded careful scheduling to accommodate their availability and ensure a supportive environment amid the film's intense emotional demands. Unpredictable summer weather in also impacted outdoor farmhouse shots, forcing adjustments to capture natural light while protecting equipment from rain and humidity. A central element of the design was the of the film's iconic wooden , a towering, impenetrable barrier encircling the family's property to symbolize psychological and physical confinement. Built on location to integrate seamlessly with the rural surroundings, the served as a recurring visual , its rustic, hand-hewn appearance reinforcing the story's themes of and fundamentalist while allowing the camera to the siblings' limited world in long, static takes. This design choice, achieved economically with practical materials, heightened the contrast between the mundane farmhouse interior and the forbidden exterior, contributing to the film's atmospheric tension.

Release

Premiere

One & Two had its world premiere on February 9, 2015, at the in the Generation 14plus sidebar, a section dedicated to films suitable for youth audiences aged 14 and older. The festival reception generated initial buzz for the film's distinctive indie fantasy tropes and the compelling performances by its young leads, and , who portrayed the sibling protagonists. Following the premiere, director Andrew Droz Palermo participated in discussions that highlighted the film's exploration of family bonds and confinement, contributing to early audience engagement at the event. Subsequent early screenings took place at the (SXSW) Film Festival in March 2015, marking the film's North American debut on March 14. There, , who wrote, directed, and served as , discussed his multi-role involvement in creating the film's intimate visual style during post-screening sessions. In July 2015, an official trailer was released, building anticipation for the film's upcoming U.S. rollout by emphasizing its supernatural family drama and the emerging talents of its cast.

Distribution

The film received a in the United States alongside a video-on-demand debut on August 14, 2015, distributed by IFC Midnight. Internationally, had a limited rollout handled by sales agent Pictures, with no wide theatrical distribution; commercial releases included a theatrical run in the on January 29, 2016, and in on August 14, 2015, followed by digital availability in markets such as in 2019 and in 2023. Home media distribution occurred via Shout! Factory, which released the film on DVD and Blu-ray on December 8, 2015. Box office performance was minimal, attributed to the restricted number of screens and a primary focus on VOD platforms rather than widespread theatrical exhibition; exact figures remain sparse for this independent release.

Reception

Critical Reviews

"One & Two" garnered mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its atmospheric visuals and thematic exploration of familial isolation, tempered by criticisms of its underdeveloped script and characters. On , the film holds a 47% approval rating based on 17 reviews. assigns a score of 47 out of 100 based on eight critics, signifying "mixed or average" reception, with reviewers noting its ethereal visuals but elliptical narrative that fails to cohere. Simon Abrams of gave the film two out of four stars, commending its adolescent power fantasy through the siblings' abilities and the romantic Southern Gothic-style , while critiquing the lack of a menacing adult , which diminishes the story's emotional stakes. In , Peter Debruge described the thriller as elaborately conceived and beautifully lensed by Autumn Cheyenne Durald, yet faulted its attenuated pacing and inconsistencies that prevent it from holding up under scrutiny. Thematically, critics appreciated the —embodied by the family's walled-off —as a poignant representation of sheltered , alongside the unbreakable bond that drives the . However, the religious motivations of the , who forbids the children's powers as sinful, were seen as underdeveloped, contributing to a lack of character depth across the ensemble. As Andrew Droz Palermo's feature directorial debut, earned acclaim for his assured visual style, including haunting night scenes and fluid that evoke a dreamlike mood, though the narrative execution was viewed as uneven, with a third act marred by unresolved loose ends.

Audience Response

Audience reception to One & Two has been mixed, reflected in user ratings across major platforms. On , the film holds a 5.2/10 rating based on 2,537 votes, indicating a generally lukewarm response from viewers. Similarly, on , users have appreciated the on-screen chemistry between and as siblings Zac and Eva. Fans have praised the film's indie vibe, particularly its unique abilities and eerie, isolated atmosphere that evokes a sense of mystery and otherworldliness. Reviewers on platforms like and highlight the emotional depth of the family drama, noting the tense dynamics between the siblings and their authoritarian father as a compelling of and rebellion. For instance, users commend the "mesmerizing elements" tied to ancient beliefs and the "strong family bonds" amid fear and isolation. However, common criticisms focus on the film's pacing, often described as slow and dull, which some viewers found "unbearably slow-moving" and slipping into a "sleepwalking" rhythm that hinders engagement. The abrupt ending also draws ire, with fans pointing to a lack of closure, unresolved questions, and an unsatisfying resolution that leaves the narrative feeling incomplete. Due to its limited theatrical release primarily at film festivals like South by Southwest in 2015, One & Two garnered stronger viewership through video-on-demand and streaming platforms, where it became available on services such as Prime Video, AMC+, and Sundance Now as of November 2025. This accessibility contributed to a niche cult following among young adult fantasy enthusiasts, drawn to its blend of supernatural elements and sibling-centric story in the post-2015 indie film landscape.

Legacy

Awards and Nominations

"One & Two" received its primary formal recognition through festival selections rather than competitive wins. The film was included in the Generation 14plus competition at the in 2015, earning a nomination for the Crystal Bear for Best Film, awarded by the Youth Jury; however, the prize went to "," directed by Gårdeler. It also screened in the Visions section of the 2015 (SXSW) Film Festival, providing further exposure for its coming-of-age narrative but without securing any jury or audience awards. Beyond these festival nods, "One & Two" did not receive nominations for major industry honors, including the , , or . This absence underscores the typical hurdles for debut features in broader awards circuits, with the film's festival placements serving mainly as a platform for and cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo's emerging talent.

Cultural Impact

One & Two marked Timothée Chalamet's first leading role as the teenager Zac, where he demonstrated a subtle intensity in portraying familial tension and discovery, a performance later highlighted in retrospectives on his origins. The film also represented a genre shift for co-star , transitioning from her child actress role in to a more rebellious, lead as Eva, her character's isolation echoing themes of youthful autonomy. These early roles have been revisited in 2023 and 2024 articles, such as those in and , which credit the film's directors and collaborators with recognizing Chalamet's precocious talent and Shipka's evolving range at the outset of their careers. As Andrew Droz Palermo's directorial debut, One & Two contributed to the early 2010s wave of indie thrillers that explored isolation and adolescent rebellion, often blending genre elements with psychological depth to influence later narratives focused on confinement and . Palermo's work on the film, emphasizing stark alongside practical effects for sequences, laid groundwork for his subsequent in atmospheric projects, including his acclaimed role as director of photography on in 2017. By 2025, One & Two has garnered reevaluation as a curiosity, propelled by Chalamet's rising stardom in major films like (2021) and (2023), which has drawn renewed attention to his formative performances. Its availability on streaming platforms such as has enhanced accessibility, allowing broader audiences to discover the film's understated exploration of family dynamics and the . This post-2015 perspective, including reflections from collaborators in outlets like , addresses earlier limited coverage by underscoring the movie's role in shaping its key talents' trajectories.

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