Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Suggestive lyrics, great vibes in innovative music video.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
One Shot with Ed Sheeran
What's the Story?
On the eve of a concert in New York City, British singer Ed Sheeran takes a one-hour walk around town in ONE SHOT WITH ED SHEERAN. He drops in on a couple's proposal on the High Line and a birthday party atop a Hell's Kitchen hotel. He boards a tourist bus, hops on a subway train, stops in during a friend's gig at a local pub, and catches a short car ride with pal Camila Cabello. Along the way, he sings everywhere, greets passers-by and looky-loos, and stops for unending selfies. The film ends when he gets to his gig and starts playing a one-man show.
Is It Any Good?
This one-hour, one-shot music video could not be more fun. One Shot with Ed Sheeran is constant motion and great vibes. It helps that the red-haired idol is apparently an uber-friendly, unendingly pleasant soul. And it helps that New Yorkers seem always up for improvisation, tagging along to whatever cool thing is happening around them. Their reactions might be off-the-cuff, but not much of Sheeran's actual moving around the city is improvised, as he makes his way breathlessly from planned event to planned event (a feat of organization and timing).
While Sheeran and his foot-tapping music are the draw, it's truly fascinating to watch people's reactions to him. Many grab selfies even without his permission, backing up to him, cameras in hand, or running alongside him with arms outstretched. Curiously, even as Sheeran inevitably moves out of frame, people often appear to keep filming themselves in the moment. Gives you an idea of how we react to fame, experience the world, and share our lives. A great companion piece would be to puzzle together social posts by the bystanders captured in this film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of a one-shot film, like One Shot with Ed Sheeran. Would you have noticed there were no edits if you didn't know it was filmed this way? How does this technique change your experience of the film as a viewer?
How do you think this film was planned and filmed?
How would you react if you saw a celebrity you liked walking down the street? Were you surprised by how people reacted to seeing the singer on the streets of New York City?
Are you familiar with Sheeran's music? What is he best known for? Which song in the video did you like best? Where can you find out more about him?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 21, 2025
- Cast : Ed Sheeran , Camila Cabello
- Director : Philip Barantini
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Arts , Friendship
- Run time : 61 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 22, 2025
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