Scarlett Johansson’s Sci-Fi Thriller Gem Lucy Finds New Life On HBO Max

Over ten years after its initial release, Scarlett Johansson’s sci-fi thriller, Lucy, is unexpectedly finding a new audience through streaming. While Johansson is a hugely popular actress often seen at the top of streaming charts, she’s usually known for blockbuster franchises like Avengers: Endgame and films like Jurassic World.

Scarlett Johansson is rare among actors because she can draw audiences to theaters even without relying on well-known franchises. She’s proven this with original films like Sing, We Bought a Zoo, and He’s Just Not That Into You, all of which were very successful. Now, her most popular original movie is gaining traction again on HBO Max, and it’s well-deserved.

Why Scarlett Johansson’s 2014 Thriller Lucy Is A Big Hit On HBO Max

HBO Max’s most popular movies right now feature potential Best Picture winners like Sinners and One Battle After Another, along with recent horror hits such as Death of a Unicorn and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Surprisingly, a movie starring Scarlett Johansson from 12 years ago has also become popular, as viewers are finding and enjoying it on the streaming service.

In the film Lucy, Scarlett Johansson plays an American student who gets caught up in trouble when her boyfriend’s dangerous boss – a Korean drug lord – kidnaps her. He surgically implants drugs into her abdomen, forcing her to transport them. After being attacked, the drugs leak into her system, causing unforeseen consequences.

The movie’s story relies on the false idea that people only use 10% of their brains. It suggests that unlocking the remaining 90% can grant extraordinary powers. When the drug in the film allows the main character, Lucy, to access this hidden potential, she develops abilities beyond those of a normal human. These include things like reading minds, moving objects with her thoughts, experiencing time differently, feeling no pain, and becoming much stronger and faster.

The storyline is pretty far-fetched, as many reviewers noted when the film came out, but it provides a fantastic opportunity for Johansson to showcase her action skills. Lucy is the ideal action hero because her evolving abilities empower her with the control and self-assurance she lacked while being exploited as a drug courier, enabling her to get revenge.

Lucy Takes A More Action-Oriented Approach To The Premise Of Limitless

The movie Lucy wasn’t the first to explore the idea that people only use 10% of their brains. In 2011, Limitless featured Bradley Cooper as a writer who takes a drug to access more of his mental capacity. However, Limitless focused less on action and more on how improving concentration could enhance everyday life. Unlike Lucy, the protagonist in Limitless doesn’t gain superpowers – he simply becomes more focused and improves his quality of life.

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2026-02-03 17:29