IMDb 9.5 2023 HD

One Second at a Time

One Second at a Time

2023
88 min NR USA
9.5 IMDB

One Second at a Time is a documentary about addiction and recovery, told through the story of Christine Ortoll, a young woman who fought, and ultimately lost, a…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Tim Searfoss
Starring
Beatriz Ochoa / John Hardy / Dennis Mallen / Corey Weber / Amanda Manez / Tracey Reynolds / Chad Garrett / William Vick

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

heartbreaking poignant raw challenging somber important moving difficult thought-provoking unflinching realistic tragic

Reviews

P
Penelope Croft
Mar 20, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

The documentary 'One Second at a Time' chronicles the ten-year battle of Christine Ortoll with mental illness and substance use disorder. It’s a narrative that, by its very nature, is steeped in difficulty and sorrow, culminating in a…

S
Samuel Davies
Mar 20, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A profoundly moving and important documentary, 'One Second at a Time' offers an intimate portrait of addiction and the relentless pursuit of recovery. Christine Ortoll's narrative is handled with sensitivity and a clear commitment to humanising the struggle.…

I
Isabelle Dubois
Mar 20, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This documentary bravely tackles the subject of addiction and mental illness through the lens of Christine Ortoll's life. Her ten-year struggle, sadly ending in overdose, forms the emotional core. The film's strength lies in its commitment to portraying…

M
Marcus Bellwether
Mar 20, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'One Second at a Time' is a gut-wrenching testament to the complexities of battling addiction and mental health issues. Christine Ortoll's story, as depicted in this documentary, is a poignant exploration of a ten-year fight that ultimately ended…

E
Eleanor Vance
Mar 20, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This documentary presents a raw and unflinching look at the devastating realities of addiction and mental illness. Centred on Christine Ortoll's decade-long struggle, the film doesn't offer easy answers or a sanitised portrayal. While the narrative's trajectory is…

FAQs

While 'One Second at a Time' focuses on Christine Ortoll's ten-year battle with mental illness and substance use disorder, culminating in her death, the documentary's exploration of recovery suggests a nuanced perspective. The very act of documenting her journey, even with its tragic outcome, can serve as a testament to the fight itself. It highlights the immense struggle involved in seeking recovery, and the courage required to face such profound challenges, even when the ultimate outcome is not a triumphant one.