Self Reliance (2024) - Review
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© Courtesy of HuLU
Directed by: Jake Johnson
Written by: Jake Johnson
Starring: Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, Andy Samberg, GaTa, Emily Hampshire, Mary Holland, Boban Marjanović, Christopher Lloyd, Wayne Brady
Runtime: 90 min
Synopsis: When a middle-aged man is invited into a limo by famous actor Andy Samberg, his dull life takes a thrilling turn. Johnson is offered a chance to win a million dollars in a dark web reality TV show, where assassins from all over the world attempt to kill him for 30 days. The catch? He can't be killed if he's not entirely alone, leading him to recruit an unlikely team to help him survive.
© Courtesy of HuLU
Editor's Note: Original review was written for Firstshowing. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Self Reliance possesses an intriguing premise but ultimately plays it too safe. More audacity and bite were required to truly leave a mark on Jake Johnson's feature directorial debut. Good work as an actor - Anna Kendrick steals the show, though - decent showcase of his strengths as a writer - despite failing to fully capitalize on the narrative's potential - but the lack of a firm grip on the thriller elements and some tonal inconsistencies prevent the film from reaching the next level. Some humorous moments and a sweet message surrounding the importance of human connections make it a worthwhile watch for those seeking a lighthearted comedy-thriller.
