A rising star from The Hunger Games franchise is earning praise for a breakout performance in a new gritty action thriller.

An exclusive Q&A moderated by Collider brought together director Adam Davidson and actors Ryan Phillippe and C. Thomas Howell to discuss One Mile: Chapter One and its sequel.

The conversation explored the film’s production, including its guerrilla-style filmmaking, intense physical demands, and grounded approach to action storytelling.

Director Adam Davidson marked his return to feature films after years of acclaimed television work, choosing to shoot two movies back-to-back under tight constraints.

He said the project stood out because it blended action-thriller tension with a deeply emotional father-daughter story.

Davidson noted that his experience directing television dramas and comedies helped shape a “boots-on-the-ground” filmmaking style that relied on constant adaptation.

Ryan Phillippe, who stars as former special forces operative Danny, also served as a producer from the earliest stages of development.

He helped shape the script across multiple drafts and leaned into his background in action roles to ground the character in realism.

Phillippe described undergoing intense physical training and performing most of his own stunts to ensure authenticity, drawing on his martial arts experience and military research.

C. Thomas Howell approached his role as antagonist Stanley with a focus on complexity, avoiding a one-dimensional villain portrayal.

Inspired by advice he once received from Rutger Hauer, Howell aimed to play Stanley as a man driven by responsibility rather than pure malice.

He explained that Stanley’s leadership of an off-grid community required empathy, internal conflict, and a belief that survival justified difficult choices.

The casting of Amélie Hoeferle as Alex, Danny’s daughter, proved pivotal to the film’s emotional impact.

Davidson recalled a last-minute Zoom audition from Germany that immediately set Hoeferle apart through her natural reactions and presence.

Phillippe said she convincingly balanced vulnerability with strength, deliberately avoiding the “damsel in distress” trope.

Howell praised her work ethic, noting she endured physically demanding scenes without complaint, reinforcing the film’s grounded tone.

The production faced mounting challenges from shooting two films simultaneously, with actors switching between chapters on the same day.

Weather delays on Vancouver Island further complicated the schedule, forcing the team to work around rain, lightning, and muddy terrain.

Despite limited resources, the crew used real locations to enhance realism, turning natural discoveries into key plot elements.

The filmmaking approach relied heavily on collaboration, with cast and crew forming what was described as a close-knit family.

Both One Mile: Chapter One and Chapter Two are now available digitally, with the filmmakers crediting teamwork for bringing the ambitious project to completion.