The 2022 sci-fi action comedy features an A-list Hollywood cast — right from Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo to Jennifer Garner and Zoe Saldaña — bringing together some of the biggest names in the industry
Netflix’s ambitious 2022 film The Adam Project is a heartwarming sci-fi action comedy starring Ryan Reynolds who is supported by a top-tier, A-list cast of Hollywood’s biggies.
The film has been directed by Reynolds’ longtime friend and collaborator, Shawn Levy, with writing credits for T. S. Nowlin, Jonathan Tropper, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett.
Production on The Adam Project first began all the way back in 2012. At the time, Tom Cruise was said to be attached to the film, however the movie subsequently fell into developmental hell until it was rescued by Netflix as the streaming giant acquired its distribution rights.
Set in a dystopian 2050, the Netflix original sees Reynolds take on the role of Adam Reed — a fighter pilot who steals a time jet in order to land in 2018 in a bid to save his wife Laura (played by Zoe Saldaña). Laura’s assassination was ordered by Sorian (Catherine Keener) who is trying to monopolise time travel, however in his efforts, Adam ends up crash-landing in 2022 where he comes face-to-face with his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell).
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In 2022, the younger Adam is struggling with being bullied in school and has become distant from his mother Ellie (Jennifer Garner) after being severely impacted by the death of his father, Louis Reed (Mark Ruffalo), the previous year.
On March 9, 2022, Ryan Reynolds’ film had a limited “one night only” theatrical release, followed by its streaming release two days later — on March 11. The Adam Project proved to be extremely successful for Netflix, squarely ranking as the streamer’s third most popular film worldwide at the time, garnering 157.6 million views within the first 28 days of its release.
The film opened to mixed reviews from critics, with one saying: “I enjoyed The Adam Project, its past, present, and future permutations an exciting joyride fit for the whole family.”
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While another reviewer was not that impressed: “It’s an assemblage of ideas from other popular films that just hangs there with little cohesion. It’s like watching a movie that hasn’t been made yet.”
One critic felt it was: “A movie with so many octopus ambitions is unlikely to pull off any of them, and that’s the bind The Adam Project finds itself in.”
While another called it: “Funny, fast-paced and surprisingly tender.”
Audience reviews followed suit, with some left impressed, while others didn’t care for Ryan Reynolds’ offering.
A viewer placed The Adam Project bang in the middle of the line and wrote: “It’s basically what you’d expect from a time travel movie. Really enjoy sci-fi stuff, and this was another solid addition. Nothing crazy, but nothing really against it. Thought it was a really good cast as well. Ryan Reynolds continues to shine in whatever role he is in. Had a good amount of laughs. Also thought it was visually well done. Overall, not bad!”
While another said: “The type of movie that you’ll forget 5min after you watch it. Full of clichés and the “science” part is beyond laughable.”
One viewer said of the film: “One of my favourite movies. Literally anything you will want from a movie, it’s funny, it’s exciting, it’s emotional, it’s interesting, it has great character and actors, just absolutely amazing, if you like action, fantasy, sci-fi, time travel – YOU WILL LOVE THIS MOVIE!!”
The Adam Project is available to stream on Netflix.
