American Ultra
American Ultra

American Ultra

2015Movie96 minEnglish

Mike is an unmotivated stoner whose small-town life with his live-in girlfriend, Phoebe, is suddenly turned upside down. Unbeknownst to him, Mike is actually a highly trained, lethal sleeper agent. In the blink of an eye, as his secret past comes back to haunt him, Mike is thrust into the middle of a deadly government operation and is forced to summon his inner action-hero in order to survive.

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Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes44%
Metacritic56/100
Google Users58%
Director: Nima NourizadehGenres: Action, Comedy, Romance, Thriller

Plot Summary

Mike Howell, a small-town stoner, discovers he is a highly trained government assassin when his past catches up with him. Forced to fight for his life against a clandestine agency, he and his girlfriend Phoebe must rely on their unlikely bond and Mike's dormant skills to survive. The film blends intense action sequences with a quirky, comedic tone.

Critical Reception

American Ultra received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office disappointment. While praised for its unique premise and the chemistry between its leads, many found the execution to be uneven, struggling to balance its action, comedy, and romance elements effectively. Audience reception was also divided.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its inventive premise and the lead actors' performances.
  • Criticized for its tonal inconsistencies and a plot that doesn't fully deliver on its potential.
  • The blend of stoner comedy and spy thriller elements was seen as ambitious but not entirely successful.

Google audience: Google users seemed to appreciate the film's unconventional approach and the chemistry between Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, finding it entertaining despite some flaws. However, many felt the plot became too convoluted and the humor didn't always land.

Fun Fact

The film was originally titled 'CP2' and was developed with Dwayne Johnson in mind for the lead role before Jesse Eisenberg was cast.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Reno

Reno

> A very familiar theme, as well as a small quantity entertainer. The second movie for the director. His first, 'Project X' was an unexpected full treat. I simply loved that one, just for the entertainment's sake. I anticipated, 'Project...
teix

teix

This movie was an extreme disappointment! The story line is good, and it could have been a very cool movie. However, the directing goes wrong from the very beginning with the going back in time to show how we got here trick, and the voic...