Self Reliance

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2:52

Self Reliance

R

2024

1h 29m

Comedy

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

When a middle-aged man (Jake Johnson) 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.

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Critics Consensus

Debuting director Jake Johnson acquits himself admirably with Self Reliance, a unique comedy-thriller hybrid that does a generally effective job of balancing silly and sincere.

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Kimber Myers

Crooked Marquee

01/15/2024

B-

... if you’re a fan of Johnson (and if you’re not, why are you here?), Self Reliance has its charms, particularly those stemming from the actor’s near-perfect comic timing and delivery.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

01/11/2024

For a movie with such a nose for nuttiness, its human element is genuine and warm.

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Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

01/11/2024

The movie is too juvenile and too timid to acknowledge the real-world chill of its online cabal of murderous social misfits. The issue is not whether Tommy will survive, but why we should hang around to find out.

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Joseph Tomastik

Loud and Clear Reviews

11/21/2024

3.5/5

Johnson’s made a film that can’t be put into any one box, which constantly keeps you on your toes.

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Ally Ham

The Review Geek

10/07/2024

5/10

Kendrick is sorely underutilized, but then, most of the characters are–there for a joke or an emotional statement and then faded into the background when Johnson decides he no longer needs them.

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Jayne Nelson

Radio Times

08/22/2024

3/5

Self Reliance is a film with a horror-movie premise that's played as straight comedy, giving it a disjointed feel. The jokes are funny, though, while the action is just silly enough without sliding into farce.

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Jessica J

01/04/2024

Such a great movie! Laughs and some thrills. A totally unique story. I loved it! I highly recommend!

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PilgriMN

01/04/2024

Great cast, great concept, and a really fun time at the movies. Biff Wiff’s consistent presence steals the show!

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siena

01/04/2024

Amazing movie by an amazing person!!!

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Janette W

01/04/2024

Brilliant film! So much fun and such a wild ride! Definitely worth seeing in theaters!!!

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Marco L

@decatur555 Jun 25

Self Reliance is a warm, offbeat and enjoyable comedy with a very original starting idea. Jake Johnson plays a man who is invited to join a strange game where he can win a large prize if he manages not to be alone for a month. The film mixes comedy, light suspense and a gentle reflection on isolation and human connection. Johnson is very good in this kind of role, and the supporting cast, including Anna Kendrick, Andy Samberg, Natalie Morales and Christopher Lloyd, gives the movie a relaxed and likable energy. It does not fully use every possibility of its premise, and the final stretch could be stronger, but it remains funny, pleasant and easy to enjoy. A small, strange film that may appeal to more viewers than expected.

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Cork B

@RT87142816 Apr 1

I bit like watching a weird dream you can't wake up from. Surprisingly little happens in the movie, but it is the expectations that propel the story and the protagonist's life forward. It is a fun watch... quirky and funny and never gruesome in a 'Saw' sort of way. Kendrick is a good choice here.

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Self Reliance: Trailer 1

2:52

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Synopsis

When a middle-aged man (Jake Johnson) 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.

Director: Jake Johnson
Producer: Ali Bell, Joe Hardesty, Jake Johnson
Screenwriter: Jake Johnson
Distributor: NEON
Production Co: The Lonely Island, Walcott Productions, MRC Film
Rating: R (Language Throughout)
Genre: Comedy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 3, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2024
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital