Valiant One is a 2025 American action thriller directed by Steve Barnett, co-written by Barnett and Eric Tipton. The film stars Chase Stokes as Sergeant Edward Brockman and Lana Condor as Specialist Selby, alongside a supporting cast including Desmin Borges, Callan Mulvey, and Jonathan Whitesell. Set against the backdrop of heightened tensions between North and South Korea, the story follows a U.S. Army helicopter crew on a routine mission to repair a radar unit near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). However, their mission takes a catastrophic turn when sudden wind shears cause their helicopter to crash deep within North Korean territory, leaving them stranded and cut off from military support.

With their communications equipment destroyed and their superiors killed in the crash, Brockman reluctantly assumes leadership. He must guide the survivors—including a civilian tech specialist, Josh Weaver (Desmin Borges)—through hostile terrain while evading North Korean forces. The film focuses on their desperate journey across the treacherous DMZ, emphasizing themes of survival, leadership under pressure, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Critics have noted the film’s lean runtime of 86 minutes and its focus on intense, real-life decision-making under extreme pressure. However, it has been criticized for its lack of geopolitical depth, relying instead on a straightforward “good vs. evil” narrative. The performances, particularly by Stokes and Condor, have been described as serviceable, though not groundbreaking. The film’s modest budget and tight pacing have been praised, but some scenes suffer from unconvincing dialogue and questionable music choices.

Released on January 31, 2025, Valiant One opened to mixed reviews, earning a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a modest box office performance of $735,099 in its opening weekend. Despite its flaws, the film delivers a tense and action-packed survival story, appealing to fans of military thrillers.