Self Reliance

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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

Jan 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

Jan 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

Jan 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

Nov 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

Oct 7, 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

Aug 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

Jan 4, 2024

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

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PilgriMN

Jan 4, 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

Jan 4, 2024

Amazing movie by an amazing person!!!

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Janette W

Jan 4, 2024

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

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Kera A

@RT76770340 Sep 27, 2026

This was a decent bit of entertainment for a weeknight flick with my 12-year-old, but I'm bothered by the failure to develop the female characters in this movie. As usual, this man is pulling way above his league; he has nothing to offer. He has a gorgeous ex-girlfriend who he's still obsessed with, and he is finally saved from his loserdom and obsession while playing this game because he connects with Anna Kendrick's character. No idea what motivates her; the writers never tell us. We don't know if this woman has a job; apparently not, since she’s living with her mom and has time to just go follow around this man she just met. A fun little twist is that she is pathological liar. We don't know why she lies. We don’t know why she likes the loser protagonist or why he likes her. The best character development of any female in this movie is the mother of the protagonist... Anyway. Stupid, mildly entertaining.

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Peter F

@Pfit1990 Jul 26, 2026

Just a solid, fun movie that doesn't go too deep.

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Jake Johnson

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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

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