Global superstar Ed Sheeran is the subject of a captivating new Netflix special that pushes the boundaries of documentary filmmaking. 'One Shot With Ed Sheeran', available on the streaming platform from 21 November 2025, presents a seemingly spontaneous hour-long journey through New York City, all captured in a single, continuous take.
The Magic of Single-Take Filmmaking
Directed by the acclaimed Philip Barantini, known for the intense single-take drama 'Adolescence', this special is another technical marvel. Alongside director of photography Nyk Allen, Barantini crafts a fluid narrative that follows Sheeran from a late-afternoon soundcheck at a New York theatre to his evening concert. The film employs a seamless blend of handheld cameras and drone shots, creating an illusion of effortless, real-time storytelling. While the production admits to one allowable fast-forward sequence and potential audio tweaks, the overall effect is one of unbroken, immersive cinema.
The cinematography has drawn comparisons to cinematic greats, with Barantini's camera work being likened to that of Russian legend Sergei Urusevsky. The journey through city streets and the theatre's interior also evokes the style of Alejandro González Iñárritu's Oscar-winning film, Birdman (Or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). The production team remains remarkably invisible throughout, a testament to the intricate planning behind this feat of 'planned spontaneity'.
Sheeran's Whirlwind New York Adventure
The film captures Ed Sheeran in his element, beaming with positive energy as he navigates Manhattan. With his guitar always at the ready, he floats through the city on a wave of fan adoration, pausing for selfies, fist-bumps, and high-fives. The narrative is a series of musical encounters, some feeling genuinely impromptu and others clearly staged for the camera.
Highlights include Sheeran performing a song for a friend's marriage proposal, staging an impromptu gig on a tourist bus, and playing at a rooftop birthday party. One particularly humorous scene sees him sharing a silent, awkward lift ride with a baffled businessman who clearly doesn't recognise him. The adventure continues as he jams with friends in a pub, grooves his way onto the subway to play on a train, and finally, without a single glitch, arrives back at the theatre. The camera follows him as he glides through the foyer and onto the stage to start his concert, bringing the cinematic journey full circle.
Staged Spontaneity and Celebrity Cameos
While the special sells itself on spontaneity, there are moments where the authenticity feels carefully constructed. The opening scene, where Sheeran hails a cab whose driver makes no comment on the camera crew, stretches believability. The most glaring example of staged serendipity is a chance encounter with his friend, pop star Camila Cabello.
In a scene that won't be earning her any acting awards, Cabello, at the wheel of her car, gasps, 'What are you doing in New York?' She then gives him a lift, leading to a James Corden-style carpool karaoke session before dropping him off. Despite these manufactured moments, Sheeran's inexhaustible cheerfulness carries the film. His genuine connection with fans provides the emotional core, making 'One Shot With Ed Sheeran' an engaging watch for his dedicated followers and a curious piece of filmmaking for everyone else.
