Self Reliance (2024)

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.firstshowing.net/2024/review-jake-johnsons-new-comedy-self-reliance-plays-it-too-safe/ "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…

CinemaSerf

6.0

Aug 11, 2024

I did quite like the premiss here, but the joke really did start to wear a bit thin after half an hour. "Tommy" (Jake Johnson) is invited to a secret meeting with two men who offer him the chance of winning $1 million if only he can survive a deadly game for a month. In order to take the prize, he must find a way to stay alive for whilst various hunters try to kill him. His only guarantee of safety is not a church, but being in the close presence of someone else. Innocent civilians are his bullet-proof vest. He assumes he can rely on his family - but they think he's rather lost the plot and th…