Self/less

Name: Self/less
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: July 10, 2015
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 34
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Derek Luke, Matthew Goode, Natalie Martinez, Ryan Reynolds

2015

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 30 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 381 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 381 Ratings

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Self/less

Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: July 10, 2015

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Derek Luke, Matthew Goode, Natalie Martinez, Ryan Reynolds, Victor Garber

Summary: An extremely wealthy man (Ben Kingsley) dying from cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds). But all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body’s origin and the organization that will kill to protect its cause.

Director: Tarsem Singh

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

Screen International - John Hazelton

Jul 6, 2015

There are enough twists and turns in Self/less to keep things interesting Read full review

Arizona Republic - Bill Goodykoontz

Jul 9, 2015

This is a first-rate cast in a second-rate story with some entertaining bits and some maddening holes. That combination works for late-night channel surfing. Anywhere else, not so much. Read full review

Philadelphia Inquirer - Steven Rea

Jul 10, 2015

You'd think a movie about transplanting human consciousness would be smarter than this. Read full review

Variety - Scott Foundas

Jul 6, 2015

Even the resourceful, likable Reynolds is at a loss to elevate this rather dreary piece of would-be escapism, which calls out for the wry, pulpy touch of a John Carpenter (or his acolyte David Twohy) and instead gets the strained self-seriousness of director Tarsem Singh. Read full review

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

Jul 9, 2015

There's enough material in Self/less to fuel a mini-series. Instead of letting the story breathe, the film rushes along at breakneck speed, using contrivances and "shortcuts" in failed attempts at character development. Read full review

New York Post - Kyle Smith

Jul 8, 2015

Self/less is a celluloid smoothie blended from dozens of familiar elements, but it’s neither tasty nor nutritious. Read full review

The Playlist - Kevin Jagernauth

Jul 6, 2015

Self/less is brain/less entertainment, but if there’s any consolation, the impression it leaves is so fleeting that you can soon replace it with better movie memories. Read full review

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User Reviews

Joem33

Aug 30, 2015

Matter of fact, I don't think the "critics" watched the same movie I did. Self/Less is an amazing movie not only 'cause of its intriguing premise, but also 'cause of the realism it exudes. If this sci-fi dramatization doesn't pull you in, I wonder what will.
I recommend this movie to anyoneMatter of fact, I don't think the "critics" watched the same movie I did. Self/Less is an amazing movie not only 'cause of its intriguing premise, but also 'cause of the realism it exudes. If this sci-fi dramatization doesn't pull you in, I wonder what will.
I recommend this movie to anyone who's familiar with how to have a good time with a movie - you'll love it.… Expand

39 of 43 users found this helpful394

DotTheEyes

Jul 10, 2015

I strongly suspect Self/less will be criticized more for what it is not than what it is. As the film begins, icy real-estate magnate Damian (Ben Kingsley) is diagnosed with cancer and facing the end of his life, beset by fear and regret. Out of desperation, he agrees to a highly expensiveI strongly suspect Self/less will be criticized more for what it is not than what it is. As the film begins, icy real-estate magnate Damian (Ben Kingsley) is diagnosed with cancer and facing the end of his life, beset by fear and regret. Out of desperation, he agrees to a highly expensive and unlawful medical procedure developed by an enigmatic scientist (Matthew Goode, exuding very British malevolence). The treatment involves the transfer of his mind into a youthful and reportedly laboratory-grown new body (Ryan Reynolds). At first, Damian enjoys his extended lease on life and renewed vigor, but disorienting, opaque memories he cannot identify lead him to investigate the true origin of his new form. To be honest, this film does not cover much ground as a piece of cerebral and/or psychedelic speculative fiction, a fact which may dispirit viewers since it is by Tarsem Singh, a music-video veteran and the director of such stylish cult favorites as The Cell and The Fall. The first-act cognitive switch is utilized as a plot-inciting device, à la the wrong-man dubiety in North by Northwest or amnesia in The Bourne Identity, rather than an invitation to travel inside the human mind and explore its contradictory, ever-shifting complexity. And though both are in fine form, Kingsley (featured only briefly) and Reynolds do almost nothing to emulate one another, not even in the early scenes in which Damian undergoes physical therapy to become comfortable inside his just-purchased figure. No trace of the elder English actor's fierce, guarded, stern turn can be found in Reynolds' instantly more charismatic and relaxed performance. However, its shortcomings as science fiction notwithstanding, Self/less is a very well-executed action film. A certain one-man-against-a-deadly-conspiracy tension builds at a steady and involving pace, and twists and turns are well-placed throughout. The plentiful sequences of chasing and fighting are staged with spacial clarity and laced with a modest-but-still-recognizable amount of Singh's characteristic visual whimsy. One key scene, for instance, unfolds in an out-of-the-way industrial field of discarded, decaying Mardi Gras floats and props. There is also a grounded and low-key charm to the film's set pieces, perhaps because it is a comparatively inexpensive studio release, particularly at this time of year. It entirely eschews ultra-over-the-top, physics-defying computer-generated wizardry. So, Self/less may bend one's mind only slightly, but it does raise the pulse and warmly satisfy as an escapist summertime jaunt.… Expand

53 of 57 users found this helpful534

David_H

Jul 12, 2015

Surprisingly good. Don't expect something like all those really goofy movies where two people swap personalities due to some fairy tale, this is actually a pretty unique take in this sic-fi genre. There are subtle parallels to a 2005 film The Island with Ewan McGregor (one of my favoriteSurprisingly good. Don't expect something like all those really goofy movies where two people swap personalities due to some fairy tale, this is actually a pretty unique take in this sic-fi genre. There are subtle parallels to a 2005 film The Island with Ewan McGregor (one of my favorite sleeper films) but this is quite a departure even from that one. Some nice plot twists and surprises as certain families get pulled into the plot lines, even my wife enjoyed this film, which I wasn't expecting.… Expand

25 of 33 users found this helpful258

Ralfbergs

Aug 26, 2016

An interesting idea of the movie but for me it isn't done so well - there are some quirks in the storyline and also some of it feels like it has been done before in other movies. Also the storyline is easily predictable more or less. So I don't say that it is an amazing or great movie, butAn interesting idea of the movie but for me it isn't done so well - there are some quirks in the storyline and also some of it feels like it has been done before in other movies. Also the storyline is easily predictable more or less. So I don't say that it is an amazing or great movie, but it is decent.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

fool0117

Jul 11, 2015

The first half of the movie was very promising but quickly turned from interesting sci fi to a straight action film. Aside from that, I don't regret seeing it. Ryan Reynolds was great as was most of the supporting cast. The ending was predictable but I suppose it was the only way this filmThe first half of the movie was very promising but quickly turned from interesting sci fi to a straight action film. Aside from that, I don't regret seeing it. Ryan Reynolds was great as was most of the supporting cast. The ending was predictable but I suppose it was the only way this film could end.… Expand

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

Lee_Godspeed

Aug 13, 2017

With a strong cast in Ben Kingsley and Ryan Reynolds leading, it never really gets fully going to hit its very interesting concept and unfortunate predictable ending. The actings fine but there's only so much they can do with what they've got to work with. With no spoilers I can't say tooWith a strong cast in Ben Kingsley and Ryan Reynolds leading, it never really gets fully going to hit its very interesting concept and unfortunate predictable ending. The actings fine but there's only so much they can do with what they've got to work with. With no spoilers I can't say too much as too why it's slow and predictable but I feel with different direction and some more of a budget this film could've been pretty good and certainly entertaining. Shame really as the storyline and ideas are there along with the cast… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Broyax

Feb 8, 2018

Le postulat de départ est déjà assez casse-gueule, à savoir l'échange non standard d'esprits et de corps mais il est en plus traité par dessus la jambe et globalement aussi incohérent qu'invraisemblable, quel que soit le bout par lequel on le prenne... c'est en outre étonnamment prévisibleLe postulat de départ est déjà assez casse-gueule, à savoir l'échange non standard d'esprits et de corps mais il est en plus traité par dessus la jambe et globalement aussi incohérent qu'invraisemblable, quel que soit le bout par lequel on le prenne... c'est en outre étonnamment prévisible avec à la fin une petite morale à deux balles bien consensuelle pour ne pas dire carrément niaise.

Le film vire également rapidement à la machination hollywoodienne usée et rabâchée, au thriller complotiste fait de bagarres, de coups de feu et de fuites... Il est aussi bavard, du genre pour ne rien dire ou s'écouter parler afin de meubler au maximum le métrage qui n'a rien sous le pied en fait.

Certes, on aime bien retrouver Ben Kingsley, un acteur éminent et estimable mais il ne fait ici qu'un gros quart d'heure syndical avant de laisser la place à un Ryan Reynolds en roue libre, l'air plus ahuri qu'autre chose. Finalement, rien à garder, tout à jeter dans ce film foutraque qui brasse du vent... et encore sans aucune conviction.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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