From One Second to the Next
Chilling tales hammer home dangers of texting and driving.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that From One Second to the Next is an affecting short documentary about the potential consequences of texting and driving as told by the victims and perpetrators of four horrific car accidents resulting from texting. Their firsthand stories are haunting, the visual images gut-wrenching, and the eventual message irrevocable: this kind of distracted driving can –- and will -– kill. The documentary includes graphic descriptions of injuries and fatalities as well as images of wreckage (but not victims) from the accidents, all of which is held in comparison to the insignificance of the texts that played a role in the traumas. Produced in partnership with the It Can Wait initiative, the movie wraps up with a reminder to viewers to visit the campaign's website and pledge against texting and driving.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
FROM ONE SECOND TO THE NEXT is a short film that gives a voice to a handful of people whose lives have been changed by texting and driving. Directed by Werner Herzog and presented in conjunction with wireless providers AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, the documentary compiles interviews with victims and perpetrators of four devastating accidents in which texting behind the wheel was a factor. For young Xzavier, a driver's distraction sentenced him to paralysis and life on a ventilator; for Debbie, it robbed her of her independence, her ability to communicate, and the right to work at a job she loved. Two of the incidents involved multiple fatalities, and in those cases, the perpetrators talk about the horrors of living with the guilt of what they did.
Is It Any Good?
These stories are painful to watch (have some tissues handy), but they drive home an essential message in a way no 30-second ad or two-dimensional billboard ever could. Texting and driving: We're bombarded with cautionary messages about the dangers every day, but do we really grasp the gravity of the issue? Particularly for teens, who were raised in our hyper-connected culture, the concept of a daily behavior like texting being dangerous is easily dismissed. Enter From One Second to the Next, a gripping tribute to not only the lethal risks texting behind the wheel poses but also to some of the victims it's already claimed, including, to some degree, the errant drivers.
Public service announcement aside, this relatively short documentary is a masterful example of filmmaking, which is why it's very difficult to shut it off or even turn away from screen prematurely. In the absence of background music or narrative, emotional accounts from victims and their families –- as well as responding officers and the perpetrators themselves –- build tension to a breaking point. No effort is made to doctor the content or fill in lengthy pauses in victims' accounts because it's just not necessary; these harrowing tales are more dramatic than any fictionalized version could be, and there's no avoiding the crucial message they drive home.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the prevalence of texting behind the wheel. How often do you see people on the road using their phones? How does it distract their concentration? Why is it such a temptation?
Some experts have likened it to drinking and driving. Do you think that's a fair assessment? Is this an issue that's more common in teen drivers, or does it cross the age divide?
Teens: Are you guilty of this behavior? Have you ever been a passenger in a car whose driver was texting? Were you aware of the risks? Could you speak up about it around your friends?
Use this film to start a dialogue with your teens about rights and responsibilities. Is driving a right or a responsibility? What responsibilities do you have as the operator of a vehicle? What repercussions do you face when you shirk on your duties? Make the pledge together to put away your phones behind the wheel.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 9, 2013
- Director: Werner Herzog
- Studio: AT&T
- Genre: Documentary
- Run time: 35 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Bully Effect
Inspiring Bully sequel stresses power of standing up.
-
Inocente
Affecting true story of homelessness and the human spirit.
-
It Gets Better
Honest accounts of LGBTQ life inspire hope for teens.
For kids who love inspiring movies
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate