X

2016
R
A24
1 h 27 m

2016
R
A24
1 h 27 m

Summary Stephen Elliot (James Franco), a once-successful novelist paralyzed by writer's block and an escalating Adderall dependency, becomes obsessed with a high-profile murder case as a way to escape his personal troubles. His interest leads him to meet Lana Edmond (Amber Heard), a smart, sexy reporter who gives him unique access to the case. ...

Directed By: Pamela Romanowsky

Written By: Stephen Elliott, Pamela Romanowsky

2016
R
A24
1 h 27 m

2016
R
A24
1 h 27 m

The Adderall Diaries

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 16 Critic Reviews

42

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 9 User Ratings

6.4

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Stephen Elliot (James Franco), a once-successful novelist paralyzed by writer's block and an escalating Adderall dependency, becomes obsessed with a high-profile murder case as a way to escape his personal troubles. His interest leads him to meet Lana Edmond (Amber Heard), a smart, sexy reporter who gives him unique access to the case. ...

Directed By: Pamela Romanowsky

Written By: Stephen Elliott, Pamela Romanowsky

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Mixed or Average Based on 16 Critic Reviews

19% Positive
3 Reviews

50% Mixed
8 Reviews

31% Negative
5 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Mixed or Average Based on 16 Critic Reviews

19% Positive
3 Reviews

50% Mixed
8 Reviews

31% Negative
5 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Los Angeles Times

Apr 14, 2016

The Adderall Diaries is a complex, absorbing, at times profound look at how we choose to remember our past. Wh

By Gary Goldstein FULL REVIEW

Apr 23, 2015

At first, Elliott’s struggle does not seem like promising material for a movie, and some might be unsatisfied by the shifting, inchoate nature of the film’s forward trajectory, but at a certain point the narrative begins to coalesce around the idea of taking responsibility for your own life, and Romanowsky makes this seem like a refreshing or at least tough-minded theme.

Chicago Sun-Times

Apr 14, 2016

[Harris and Franco] bring out the finest in each other as they punch and counter-punch vastly different memories of horrific incidents from the past. It’s great stuff. Unfortunately, much of the rest of the The Adderall Diaries is overwrought, convoluted and irritating.

By Richard Roeper FULL REVIEW

Apr 14, 2016

On a purely technical level, the film is fine, if overly reliant on indie-movie clichés. It features some good performances from proven actors, and touches on some interesting philosophical questions.

By Katie Rife FULL REVIEW

The Hollywood Reporter

Apr 23, 2015

First-time feature helmer Romanowsky has a hard time distinguishing between the things that draw her to Elliott's story and the things that make him pathetic.

By John DeFore FULL REVIEW

The New York Times

Apr 14, 2016

Spouting stiltedly clichéd dialogue...the actors struggle to sell their characters. Only Mr. Harris eventually succeeds, conveying, in a single speech, what it must be like to be the parent of an addict.

By Jeannette Catsoulis FULL REVIEW

Apr 14, 2016

In a lurid, lumpy and lugubrious mess called The Adderall Diaries, misguided first-time director Pamela Romanowsky cleaves a pointless film out of a foggy memoir by writer Stephen Elliott (About Cherry) about a murder case he pursued with no resolution.

By Rex Reed FULL REVIEW

See All 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 9 User Ratings

44% Positive
4 Ratings

44% Mixed
4 Ratings

11% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 9 User Ratings

44% Positive
4 Ratings

44% Mixed
4 Ratings

11% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

Production Company RabbitBandini Productions, Windowseat Entertainment

Release Date Apr 15, 2016

Duration 1 h 27 m

Rating R

Genres

View All Details

Awards

Cleveland International Film Festival

• 1 Nomination

Tribeca Film Festival

• 1 Nomination

Vail Film Festival

• 1 Nomination

Related Movies

The Godfather

Universal Acclaim

Touch of Evil

Universal Acclaim

Pépé le Moko (re-release)

Universal Acclaim

Rashomon

Universal Acclaim

The Night of the Hunter

Universal Acclaim

Rififi (re-release)

Universal Acclaim

The Maltese Falcon

Universal Acclaim

12 Angry Men

Universal Acclaim

Mean Streets

Universal Acclaim

Pulp Fiction

Universal Acclaim

Collective

Universal Acclaim

Double Indemnity

Universal Acclaim

Taxi Driver

Universal Acclaim

The Irishman

Universal Acclaim

Carlos

Universal Acclaim

The French Connection

Universal Acclaim

Elevator to the Gallows

Universal Acclaim

Shoplifters

Universal Acclaim

The 39 Steps

Universal Acclaim

Uncut Gems

Universal Acclaim

Band of Outsiders

Universal Acclaim

Days of Being Wild (re-release)

Universal Acclaim

Related News

2024 Movie Release Calendar

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason Dietz

Find release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated weekly.

Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

With the arrival of Zack Snyder's latest Rebel Moon chapter on Netflix, we rank every one of the director's films—from bad to, well, less bad—by Metascore.

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

We rank every one of the British director's movies by Metascore, from his debut Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels to his brand new film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

April Movie Preview (2024)

April Movie Preview (2024)

Keith Kimbell

The month ahead will bring new films from Alex Garland, Luca Guadagnino, Dev Patel, and more. To help you plan your moviegoing options, our editors have selected the most notable films releasing in April 2024, listed in alphabetical order.

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Jason Dietz

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.