Ryan Reynolds
Big Adam
Overview
After accidentally crash-landing in 2022, time-traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed teams up with his 12-year-old self on a mission to save the future.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readA Sentimental Machine Learning to Feel
latestnetflix.com's read is that
I kept waiting for The Adam Project to become either a harder science-fiction movie or a sillier family comedy, and then I realized that the film’s real trick is that it doesn’t want to choose. Shawn Levy has made a career out of sturdy crowd-pleasers that like their emotions plainly stated and their mechanics easy to follow, and this one fits neatly into that lane. But it also feels like a movie made in the shadow of a streaming-era problem: how do you build something that can be watched by a parent on the couch, a kid on the rug, and a distracted teenager half-scrolling on a phone?
Levy’s answer is to keep the plot in constant motion while letting the feelings arrive in oversized, almost old-fashioned waves. That choice gives the movie its charm and, at times, its limits.
This isn’t a sequel or a remake in the strict sense, though it behaves like a remix of a dozen familiar things: Back to the Future, E.T., The Last Starfighter, even a little of Spielberg’s bruised sentimentality filtered through a Marvel-adjacent sense of timing. What matters is how openly it wears those influences. The film doesn’t pretend to reinvent time travel; it uses time travel as a delivery system for regret, boys-with-tiny-ego problems, and the slightly embarrassing realization that your parents were once whole people before they became your parents.
Levy, who’s spent years moving between comedy and spectacle, seems interested here in the emotional physics of genre: what happens when the future shows up in your backyard and immediately starts acting like a younger version of your worst self?
The conversation around the movie, as it landed in 2022, mostly circled around familiarity. Some viewers saw comfort; others saw the polished blandness of a project designed to be accessible to everyone and surprising to almost no one. I think both readings are fair.
There’s a real pleasure in the film’s refusal to sneer at sincerity. That can be a virtue. But it also means the movie often behaves like it’s afraid of its own stranger instincts.
Whenever it gets close to a more jagged emotional truth — about grief, divorce, the hardening effect of living with memory — it smooths the edges back down with a joke or a chase sequence. Not a fatal flaw, exactly. Just a habit.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.8/10
"A charming, high-energy sci-fi romp that uses Ryan Reynolds' signature humor and an emotional family core to win over mainstream audiences."
Audiences quickly propelled the time-travel adventure to the top spot on Netflix, drawn in by the easy banter between an older fighter pilot and his younger self. While critical reception remained moderately favorable with a 69% Rotten Tomatoes score, everyday viewers embraced the film much more warmly with an 80% audience rating, moved by its emotional family reunion beats; [latestnetflix.com]( read is that the story works best when leaning into its heartfelt, character-driven moments rather than purely routine sci-fi mechanics.
What viewers praise
- Winning Lead Chemistry The sharp, playful dynamic between Ryan Reynolds and his younger self delivers reliable comedy and keeps the pacing lively.
- Strong Emotional Core The time-travel quest to find a lost spouse and reconcile with family struck a surprisingly resonant chord with viewers.
Common complaints
- Divisive Critical Impressions Reviewers were notably cooler on the film than the general public, reflected in a modest 69% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating and moderate international scores.
Recommended for
Fans of Ryan Reynolds' comedic timing Audiences seeking an accessible, emotional sci-fi adventure Families looking for a fast-paced weekend blockbuster
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsRyan Reynolds and Shawn Levy’s Time-Traveling Bromance in The Adam Project
The Adam Project (2022) isn’t just a sci-fi adventure—it’s the latest chapter in one of Hollywood’s most enduring creative partnerships. Director Shawn Levy and star Ryan Reynolds have built a career on sharp, self-aware comedies, but their collaboration on this Netflix film took their dynamic to new emotional heights. latestnetflix.com's read is that Behind the scenes, their friendship became a cornerstone of the movie’s charm, even as the production navigated the challenges of time travel, family drama, and Reynolds’ signature wit.
A Reunion Years in the Making
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfIDBSQWs0Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1YdpvkOb0o
Reynolds and Levy’s history stretches back to Free Guy (2021), but The Adam Project was a reunion they’d been eyeing for years. Levy, known for his work on family-friendly blockbusters like Night at the Museum and Stranger Things, described Reynolds as more than just a collaborator—he called him a "real gem" in interviews . The admiration was mutual. Reynolds, who executive-produced the film alongside Levy, praised the director’s ability to balance humor and heart, a skill that defined The Adam Project’s tone .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWgzTPT-ch4
Their chemistry wasn’t just for the cameras. Levy got visibly emotional discussing Reynolds’ dedication to the project, calling him "one of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with" in a heartfelt moment captured on set . The film’s blend of action, comedy, and father-son bonding—centered on Reynolds’ character teaming up with his younger self (Walker Scobell)—mirrored the duo’s own rapport, blending levity with sincerity.
Spoilers, Stunts, and the Challenges of Time Travel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmp7EwPr2b8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7EgoH79n1Y
Filming The Adam Project wasn’t all smooth sailing. The movie’s high-concept premise—jumping across timelines to save the future—required intricate choreography for its action sequences. Reynolds and Levy teased some of the film’s biggest spoilers in a behind-the-scenes discussion, hinting at the emotional weight of key scenes, including a climactic confrontation with Mark Ruffalo’s villainous character . The pair also joked about the physical toll of the shoot, with Reynolds’ usual self-deprecating humor shining through in interviews .
The film’s 106-minute runtime 
packed in a lot: aerial dogfights, family drama, and Reynolds’ trademark one-liners. But the real magic, according to Levy, was the cast’s camaraderie. Jennifer Garner, who played Reynolds’ character’s wife, and Zoe Saldaña, as his love interest, rounded out a cast that Levy described as "electric" in their chemistry . Even the younger actors, like Scobell, held their own against Reynolds’ rapid-fire delivery, a testament to Levy’s direction.
Mixed Reactions and a Soundtrack That Soars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrhZbeyNqAw
Despite the hype, The Adam Project received a lukewarm critical reception. Reviewers praised its visual effects and Reynolds’ performance but criticized the script’s predictability. On SensCritique, the film earned a middling 5.5/10 from over 5,600 votes , while the soundtrack—composed by Rob Simonsen—fared slightly better with a 6.2/10 rating . Netflix’s review ecosystem, however, was more forgiving, with many viewers embracing the film’s nostalgic, family-friendly appeal .
Levy and Reynolds didn’t seem fazed by the mixed reviews. For them, The Adam Project was less about critical acclaim and more about delivering a fun, heartfelt adventure. In a landscape dominated by dark sci-fi, the film’s lighter touch stood out, even if it didn’t break new ground.
What’s Next for the Levy-Reynolds Duo?
With The Adam Project in the rearview, fans are already speculating about their next collaboration. Reynolds has hinted at more projects with Levy, though nothing’s been confirmed . Given their track record—Free Guy, Deadpool (which Levy produced), and now The Adam Project—it’s safe to say their partnership is far from over.
For now, The Adam Project remains a testament to their ability to blend humor, action, and genuine emotion. Whether it’s time travel or just good old-fashioned teamwork, Levy and Reynolds know how to make it look effortless.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.