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Target Number One

Target Number One is a 2020 Canadian crime drama film directed by Daniel Roby.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Target Number One is a 2020 Canadian crime drama film directed by Daniel Roby. It is based on the true story of Alain Olivier, a Canadian man who was imprisoned in Thailand, and follows journalist Victor Malarek as he investigates the case.

Premise

The film dramatizes the case of a Canadian drug addict who becomes trapped in a Thai drug sting and receives a severe prison sentence. The story is told through both his experience and the investigation led by journalist Victor Malarek.

Production and release

Target Number One is directed by Daniel Roby and features a cast including Josh Hartnett, Antoine Olivier Pilon, Stephen McHattie, Jim Gaffigan, Don McKellar, J.C. MacKenzie, and Amanda Crew. It premiered theatrically in Canada in July 2020 and was also distributed in the United States on video on demand.

Historical basis

The film is inspired by the real-life case of Alain Olivier, who spent years in a Thai prison after being implicated in an operation tied to Canadian authorities. The film uses fictionalized names for some characters while retaining the core events of the case.

Reception and classification

The film is generally classified as a crime drama or thriller and was marketed internationally under different titles. Reviews and platform listings describe it as a true-story-based thriller focused on journalism, corruption, and wrongful imprisonment.

Key facts

  • Target Number One is a Canadian crime drama based on real events involving a Canadian man imprisoned in Thailand.
  • Josh Hartnett plays journalist Victor Malarek, who investigates the case.
  • Antoine Olivier Pilon portrays Daniel Léger, a fictionalized version of Alain Olivier.
  • The film was directed by Daniel Roby and released in Canada on July 10, 2020.
  • It was released under different titles in different markets, including Most Wanted in the United States.
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Canadian context

The film is a Canadian production, is based on a Canadian true-crime case, and portrays Canadian journalist Victor Malarek and the role of Canadian authorities in the underlying events.

Frequently asked questions

What is Target Number One about?
It is about a Canadian journalist investigating the imprisonment of a Canadian man in Thailand and the events that led to the case.
Is Target Number One based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the real case of Alain Olivier, a Canadian man who was imprisoned in Thailand.
Who directed Target Number One?
The film was directed by Daniel Roby.
Who stars in Target Number One?
The cast includes Josh Hartnett, Antoine Olivier Pilon, Stephen McHattie, Jim Gaffigan, Don McKellar, J.C. MacKenzie, and Amanda Crew.
When was Target Number One released?
It was released theatrically in Canada on July 10, 2020.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Number_One
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, release year, alternate titles, cast, and Canadian release date.
  2. Apple TV Canada — https://tv.apple.com/ca/movie/target-number-one/umc.cmc.62517fze4k74vjrxs4myc2bnj
    Supports: Canadian market description and plot summary.
  3. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/target-number-one/umc.cmc.62517fze4k74vjrxs4myc2bnj
    Supports: U.S. release description, runtime, and plot summary.
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/oct/28/target-number-one-review-gritty-thriller-about-canadian-junkie-caught-in-thai-sting
    Supports: Critical description, true-story basis, and character details.
  5. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNobfCpjA8Y
    Supports: Trailer information, director, cast, and release timing.