One Shot with Ed Sheeran (2025) review: Creative & Unique

One Shot with Ed Sheeran (2025) review: A Unique Musical Experience

We have seen one shot films before. We have seen ambitious one shot series like Adolescence (Read our review here). We have also seen concert films that try to bring you as close as possible to the music. What we rarely see is a one shot music special set in the middle of New York, performed live, without noticeable cuts, and carried entirely by Ed Sheeran. That is what One Shot with Ed Sheeran attempts, and the result is a genuinely unique take on how a music experience can feel.

Ed Sheeran and the Simplicity That Always Worked

One of the coolest things about Ed Sheeran is that when he is not performing to thousands of people on consecutive nights at Wembley, or writing his next chart topper, he is still just a man with a guitar. For as long as I can remember, Ed has been that artist who challenged the polished pop template by relying on raw performance and simple setups. One Shot continues that tradition. It is a reminder of why his stripped down sound and unforced charm still stand out in a very crowded landscape.

What the Special Is Actually About

The Special follows Ed as he walks through New York singing his biggest hits, while the premise suggests that the moments are spontaneous. It is clearly not fully spontaneous, and it does not pretend to be. The interactions feel controlled within the chaos of New York, but they still have enough looseness to feel alive. Ed takes the subway, walks into pubs, sings at a birthday party, and even ends up helping a couple with their proposal. At one point he jumps onto a tourist bus stuck in traffic and instantly realises how unforgiving New York congestion can be.

So it sits in an interesting middle ground. It is not exactly scripted, yet it is not random either. It is rehearsed enough to keep the camera work tight, the direction smooth, and the cinematography engaging. The entire experience is driven by Ed, his guitar, and a selection of his biggest songs from “Don’t” to “Azizam” and from “Shape of You” to “Sapphire”. Mostly with one artist, one guitar, one mic.

The special is directed by Philip Barantini, who famously shot each episode Adolescence in a single continuous take, brings the same filmmaking technique to this music special.

Not a Concert Film, Just Ed Being Ed

If you expect a stadium sized thrill similar to hearing Taylor Swift whisper “It’s Taylor” to seventy thousand fans, this is not that experience. It is not a concert film in the traditional sense. It is Ed walking, singing, chatting, and reacting to the city. In a way, it captures the version of Ed that fans love. No heavy production. No dramatic stage lighting. Just a guy performing as he walks down the street.

The best moments come from how people around him react. Some are shocked. Some are confused. Some stare for a few seconds before realising that the man casually performing is in fact Ed Sheeran. Those little double takes often sell the charm better than any planned segment. Watching him move through the city feels almost like watching an IRL stream where the world unexpectedly becomes part of the show.

A Familiar Energy for Longtime Fans

There is even a small cameo from Camila Cabello, who drives Ed one block back to his venue while the two share a very relaxed, carpool style sing along. It fits the overall vibe of the Special. A little unexpected. A little playful. Nothing too dramatic.

Some viewers might wish there were bigger arrangements or varied instrumentation, but longtime fans know Ed has always leaned into the simplicity. If you remember those old Capital Records videos where he built entire tracks with just a loop pedal, or the casual duets with Anne Marie and Rita Ora, you will recognise the same creative DNA here. The scale is bigger, but the spirit is the same.

Rating:

I am giving One Shot with Ed Sheeran a solid 4 out of 5. The concept works. The execution is clean. And if you are a fan, it is absolutely worth an hour of your time. It is not perfectly spontaneous and it is not entirely uncontrolled either, but the balance feels right. I am more than willing to suspend disbelief because the final product feels enjoyable and honest in its own way.

One Shot with Ed Sheeran is now streaming on Netflix if you want something different from the usual concert specials and check out some of our other reviews, takes and recommendations here.