Genre: Action / Thriller / War Drama
Directed by: Steve Barnett
Starring: Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Desmin Borges, Callan Mulvey, Jonathan Whitesell, Daniel Jun
Runtime: ~86 minutes
A U.S. Army helicopter crew embarks on a routine mission near the Korean Demilitarized Zone to repair a radar unit. Unexpectedly caught in a violent storm, the chopper crashes deep into North Korean territory. With communications down and enemies closing in, the surviving crew must protect a civilian tech specialist and fight their way back home through hostile terrain
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High-Stakes, Confined Thriller
The helicopter crash into enemy territory sets an intense survival tone immediately. Perspektives shift quickly—from pilot skill to evacuation protocol to desperate evasion—offering a taut 86-minute thrill. -
Ensemble Cast with On-Screen Chemistry
Chase Stokes anchors the story as Sergeant Brockman, a reluctant yet resolute leader. Lana Condor adds emotional depth as the civilian tech expert, providing a human counterbalance to military protocol. Gritty Tactical Realism
The journey through hostile territory feels grounded and urgent—ambushed patrols, strained alliances, and moral dilemmas make for credible and engaging drama.
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Limited Character Development
With a sub-90-minute runtime, the film sacrifices deeper backstories for pace. The crew remains group archetypes—medic, leader, civilian—with little internal nuance. -
Predictable Plot Beats
The narrative follows expected war-thriller structure: crash, regrouping, hostile evasion, narrow escape. While competent, it lacks standout surprises or emotional turns.
Valiant One is a compact, no-frills survival thriller built around a gripping helicopter crash scenario. Its strengths lie in its tight pacing and the believable tension of a stranded military crew in enemy territory. While it doesn’t break new narrative ground or delve deeply into character psychology, it delivers a solid adrenaline rush in under an hour and a half.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (3/5)
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Fans of war-based survival thrillers like Black Hawk Down or Lone Survivor
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Viewers seeking a short, action-packed film with tense stakes
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Those who enjoy grounded military drama with realistic scenarios
