The world premiere of "The Lost Bus," the latest Apple Original Film from director Paul Greengrass, debuted to strong audience response and early awards speculation Friday night at the Toronto International Film Festival. The gripping survival thriller dramatizes the real-life story of a school bus driver and teacher who guided 22 children to safety during the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California. More from Variety Sydney Sweeney Fights Her Way Into the Oscar Race at Rousing TIFF World Premiere of 'Christy': 'I'm Gonna Cry!' Eli Roth and Snoop Dogg to Produce Horror Movie 'Don't Go in That House, Bitch!' Matthew McConaughey on 'The Lost Bus,' Nicolas Cage in 'True Detective' and What It Will Take to Play Rust Cohle Again: 'Fire and Originality' Based on journalist Lizzie Johnson's non-fiction book Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire, "The Lost Bus" recounts a perilous journey through flames that claimed 85 lives and destroyed more than 18,000 structures. Sparked by faulty electrical transmission lines and fueled by high winds, the Camp Fire scorched over 150,000 acres and nearly wiped the town of Paradise off the map. Matthew McConaughey stars as Kevin McKay, a down-on-his-luck school bus driver who rises to the occasion as fire bears down on the community. America Ferrera plays Mary Ludwig, a teacher who refuses to leave her students behind. Together, the two lead a tense evacuation effort that becomes a race against time and an encroaching inferno. McConaughey, returning to an impressive lead dramatic role, delivering a performance that blends vulnerability and resolve. He found a deep connection with the material and with Greengrass' style. "There was a line that Paul came up with that said it all to me," McConaughey shared. "Kevin says, 'I was too late as a son and now I'm too late as a father.'" Ferrera, fresh off her Oscar-nominated supporting turn in "Barbie," brings warmth and grit to a character based on a real educator. She brings her signature passion, and paid homage to the real-life Mary in the audience, calling it "a great honor" to portray her. Together, the chemistry between the two lead stars anchors the film's emotional core. "This story is not just about fire — it's about courage, choices and the instinct to protect," Greengrass said during a post-screening Q&A. Known for "United 93" and "Captain Phillips," the director once again leans into his signature documentary-style realism, crafting a claustrophobic, fast-moving thriller that rarely lets up. Greengrass co-wrote the screenplay with Brad Ingelsby, creator of HBO's "Mare of Easttown." The film leans heavily into practical effects, with real fire used wherever feasible to amplify authenticity. Cinematographer Pal Ulvik Rokseth uses handheld cameras to capture the chaos, while James Newton Howard's emotional score and immersive sound design add to the tension. Festival audiences responded with emotional intensity, including visible tears and audible gasps during the screening. Intense can barely describe it. I cried and could barely breathe. This is filmmaking at its most visceral. The supporting cast includes Yul Vazquez as a fire chief, Ashlie Atkinson as a local resident, Spencer Watson and Danny McCarthy as first responders. In a personal touch, McConaughey's real-life son, Levi, and his mother, Kay McConaughey, appear as his character's family members. The project was first announced in 2022 with Jamie Lee Curtis producing for Comet Pictures and Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions also on board. Curtis revealed during the Q&A that she discovered Johnson's story while listening to NPR. In an additional personal connection, Curtis noted that her mother, legendary actress Janet Leigh, once dated the real Mary Ludwig's father. Johnson, a San Francisco Chronicle reporter who covered the fire, served as a consultant on the film to ensure factual accuracy. "The Lost Bus" has the goods to draw admirers into the Oscar conversation. While some critics see it as a potential long-shot best picture nominee, the can be considered a strong contender in technical categories, including sound, editing and original score. Performances by McConaughey and Ferrera are also impressive, but not the type that Oscar typically recognizes from films like this. Apple will release "The Lost Bus" in select theaters Sept. 19, with streaming to follow on Apple TV+ starting Oct. 3. Down below are some online reactions. Clarissa Rocco: "#TheLostBus with Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera is a thrill ride from start to finish. At times, it feels like you're driving through hell. Absolutely worth the watch." Nicole Soroka | As Scene On Screen: "#TheLostBus, based on Lizzie Johnson's novel that recounts the 2018 California Camp Fire, is nothing short of devastating. With intense performances from #MatthewMcConaughey and #AmericaFerrera, this film is an impactful reminder that life can change in the blink of an eye." Erik Davis (@ErikDavis): "Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera steer a school bus full of kids through a raging forest fire in Paul Greengrass' #TheLostBus. It's the very definition of an edge-of-your-seat thriller—raw, harrowing and human." Nick van Dinther says: "Does THE LOST BUS have every disaster/survival film cliché there is? Yes. Is it an intense and impressive visual experience made theatres? Also, yes. It may start off rough, but Paul Greengrass' docu-drama style is perfectly suited for a film about wildfires." Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Samsung, Sonos, Criterion Collection Among Top Brands on Sale for Labor Day - See Running List Here Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.