Starring: Reece Henderson, Gregory Fung, Ka-Yee Chan
Film Review by: Holly Baker
49 Miles More is a wholesome comedy drama, centred around insurance salesman Max, who, along with his university friends, is about to embark on their yearly endeavour to Orford. Each year, they make this journey and gather together to honour their late friend. This is Oliver Cox’s second directorial feature, after Lure, a horror film, which was released earlier in 2026 and received a mixed reception. In contrast, 49 Miles More is a brilliant film; it is full of tender moments and a strong testament to friendship and loss. With various laugh-out-loud comedic moments, viewers will feel transfixed by Max and Doug’s bonding, as their journey to Orford goes awry when Max’s tyre gets punctured.
We are introduced to Max in the world of soulless corporate doom, as he is bluntly told by his manager that his unsuccessful sales record will lead to restrictions on his holiday. Viewers quickly get a glimpse into Max’s misery; he lives alone, and his life seems to lack much excitement or enjoyment. Gradually, as his journey with best friend Doug unravels, Max’s adventurous nature comes to light, particularly when encouraged by the fun-loving, free-spirited, adorable character of Doug.
When Max’s journey begins, we sense his reluctance to engage with Doug. His inability to be quiet and allow Max any peace comes across as irritating, but in a way that you can’t help but love him. Reece Henderson, who plays Max, fantastically conveys his irritation along with the soft spot he clearly has for Doug. After his car is deemed unfit for use, and their 2-hour road trip becomes a tremendous hike through the wilderness, Max’s wall slowly breaks down, and we see the two men bond most beautifully. Their chemistry is dazzling to watch, magnified by their naturalistic performances and dialogue; viewers feel as though they’re watching real people. Throughout their journey through the woods, long, still takes are heavily incorporated, skillfully allowing Henderson and Fung (AKA Doug) to charm the screen.
In true Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016) fashion, the pair quickly become lost and must adapt to their environment. The gorgeous British countryside landscape works fantastically in highlighting the two men’s freedom and ability to express themselves without any external pressures, marvellously contrasting the grim corporate hell of Max’s everyday life and the claustrophobic nature of Doug’s home life, where his mother is starkly against Doug leaving the house.
There is a lot that feels incredibly original to this film. On the one hand, 49 Miles More has many similarities to other filmmakers’ dedications to male friendship, and the role of nature in that. For instance, this is seen in the already mentioned Wilderpeople, Rob Reiner’s classic Stand by Me (1987), and the cult favourite Dead Poets Society (1989), particularly in the way that the natural environment evokes freedom of expression, allowing men to become truly vulnerable. What stands out particularly in this film is its handling of shared grief, and the way that this impacts friendships. Max and his friends have not lost their humorous side, particularly when dealing with the topic of their late friend, and they can simultaneously grieve him and express their sadness whilst making lighthearted jokes. This charming, realistic, very British way of handling difficult events makes the characters feel all the more real, and gives the emotional scenes a stronger impact in their heartwarming relatability.
The film has a very small ensemble, with Max and Doug as the main characters, and viewers are only introduced to the side characters briefly. However, each character contributes memorably, as they are all written and performed with great care, providing great additions and perspectives to Max and Doug’s story. This is especially so for the character of an older lady, a stranger to Max and Doug, whose kind gesture of help to the pair adds a delightful, hopeful feeling to the film. There is a subtle sense that her assisting Max and Doug had a great impact on her as well as it did them, bringing forth a warm message about the importance of helping each other when in need.
As the film closes with the nostalgic, beloved inclusion of a blooper reel, those who watch will find themselves fulfilled on all emotional levels. 49 Miles More is a tender story, with strong comedy and very careful handling of difficult themes. It’s rare for a depiction of male friendship to hit all the marks whilst avoiding cliches, or tropes derived from toxic masculinity, yet this film does so marvellously. In this way, 49 Miles More feels incredibly fresh and full of love, and unlike Max’s career as an insurance salesman, it is a great success!
49 Miles More is on UK digital 17 August from Reel2Reel Films