“The Adam Project” is a Netflix original that has taken the world by storm. Directed by Shawn Levy, “The Adam Project” is about 40-year-old Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds) who, after losing his wife, travels to the past and teams up with his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell) to save the future. Shawn Levy is most known for directing “Real Steel” and “Free Guy”. He also co-produced “Arrival”.

Like “Arrival”, “The Adam Project” is a story that fiddles with the concept of time travel without getting into it completely. At first glance, it seems like just another boring sci-fi movie, but it is so much more. It tells a tragic tale about losing a loved one, grief and acceptance from young Adam dealing with the loss of his father to older Adam dealing with the loss of his wife. “The Adam Project” portrays how the loss of a loved one can be so impactful that it transcends time. Reynolds’ journey to the past makes him come to realize that even in the future he never got to deal with his father’s death, and the time trip forces both Adams to confront their grief and finally reach a level of acceptance.

Although Reynolds typically plays comic roles like Wade Wilson in “Deadpool” or Guy in “Free Guy”, he plays a much darker and more serious character in “The Adam Project,” but he still manages to bring his signature comic relief to his character which may seem contradictory but isn’t. Walker Scobell plays Adam Reed, but in the year 2022. “The Adam Project” is Scobell’s first real acting gig, and he portrayed his character perfectly. Scobell plays a teenager who hides his grief behind delinquency, comic references and hostility toward his mother. Scobell and Reynolds’ interaction on screen is perfect and amazing to witness as Scobell portrays a perfect younger version of Reynolds and Reynolds portrays a perfect older version of Scobell. Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner play husband and wife Louis and Ellie Reed, respectively, parents to Adam Reed.

Mark Ruffalo plays a brilliant scientist who unknowingly invents time travel. Ruffalo’s character is a man of ethics and family values who loves his kid and his wife so much that he’d risk his life to make sure Adam gets the life he deserves. Garner plays a loving mother and wife. Garner’s character protects her son after the death of her husband even though she is still grieving. Ruffalo and Garner’s chemistry can easily be seen as a fan’s favorite surpassing Reynolds and Saldaña’s couple chemistry which is also a very intriguing couple dynamic. Finally, Catherine Keener plays the movie antagonist. She plays Maya Sorian, a vile villain hell-bent on being the sole owner of the most precious resource on earth, time. 

Overall this movie was very intriguing to watch.  As a cinephile, I was very moved by this movie. “The Adam Project” is for everyone. If you are in love with science and technology, this is the movie for you.  It showcases many scientific concepts like light-speed travel, high-tech gear and so much more. If you love comedy, then it is also the movie for you as it features the comedic brilliance of Reynolds and Scobell and even Ruffalo. If you are a fan of tragedy then it is also for you as the movie features a great deal of loss. “The Adam Project” is a great movie, and I would rate it a 4.5 out of 5.