Ryan Reynolds’ Sci-Fi Flop Self/Less Deserves More Love Than Its 18% RT Score Suggests

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Throughout his career, this actor’s sci-fi movies have been very uneven – some are great, others aren’t. There are a couple that fall somewhere in the middle, often pleasing audiences while disappointing critics, or vice versa. These include Life, which blends elements of Alien and The Thing, and the 2015 action film Self/Less, which isn’t as widely known.

As a movie fan, I remember Self/Less being a total disappointment. It only scored an 18% on Rotten Tomatoes and really bombed at the box office – it made just $31 million on a $26 million budget. Looking back, it’s not a huge shock, considering Ryan Reynolds’ career really took off a year later with Deadpool. It’s a shame, though, because the director, Tarsem Singh, had done some visually stunning work before, like with The Cell and Jennifer Lopez, but he couldn’t seem to capture that same magic with this one.

Self/Less Has the Feel of Definitive, Classic Sci-Fi Works

A science fiction movie can be truly original and thought-provoking even if the special effects or overall production aren’t perfect. Classic examples like Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 and H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine have compelling stories, but some of their movie adaptations haven’t fully captured that magic. While Self/Less features a new story written specifically for the screen by Alex and David Pastor, it evokes the same spirit as these beloved science fiction classics.

The film centers on Damian, a wealthy businessman facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. He undergoes an experimental procedure called ‘shedding,’ which transfers his mind into a younger, healthier body – that of a man named Ryan Reynolds. However, Damian soon discovers, through disturbing visions, that the body he now occupies belonged to someone who willingly participated in the program to save his daughter’s life. Now, Damian must go on the run, accompanied by the man’s wife and child, while being pursued by the powerful company behind the procedure.

This story feels right at home with classic sci-fi films from the 1950s through the 1980s, like Philip K. Dick’s Total Recall. The best sci-fi from that era wasn’t just about spaceships and action; it focused on exploring social issues, creating emotionally engaging stories, and developing complex characters. Self/Less carries on that tradition, and it deserves more recognition for doing so.

Ryan Reynolds Should Commit to More Sci-Fi Work

Ryan Reynolds is now a very reliable box office draw, making it unlikely he’ll star in a movie that doesn’t succeed. Last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine earned a massive $1.3 billion worldwide, practically ensuring his future with the hugely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since he first played Deadpool, Reynolds has consistently chosen projects that have proven to be hits.

Ryan Reynolds has found consistent success in recent years, largely thanks to sci-fi films like Free Guy and The Adam Project, even beyond his work as Deadpool. But a key ingredient in these hits is Reynolds’ comedic talent – he excels at bringing humor to these roles.

Ryan Reynolds has proven his dramatic abilities in films like Self/Less, and delivered memorable performances in The Amityville Horror remake and the underappreciated Buried. Now, with the success of billion-dollar blockbusters under his belt, he’s in a great position to explore more serious science fiction roles, backed by significant resources for strong directing and marketing.

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2025-11-30 02:13