The Adam Project (2022)

The Adam Project is that rare popcorn sci-fi that remembers to have a heart: it plays like a polished, ’80s-style adventure with modern wit, then sneaks in a surprisingly tender meditation on growing up, grief, and second chances. Ryan Reynolds does what he does best—rapid-fire charm with a defensive edge—but the real delight is Walker Scobell, who doesn’t just imitate him, he matches his rhythm so well the movie’s central pairing feels like a genuine conversation across time. Shawn Levy keeps the pace breezy and the action clean and colorful, with sleek visuals and set pieces that land without drowning out the emotion underneath. If you’re allergic to quips or prefer your time travel hard and brainy, it may feel a bit light, but if you want a fun, funny ride that leaves you warmer than it found you, this one earns the trip.

The Adam Project wants to be a crowd-pleasing, family-friendly time-travel adventure with Ryan Reynolds’ rapid-fire charm on top and a sincere, teary core about grief underneath. It mostly succeeds as easy, glossy entertainment, but if you’re hoping for fresh sci-fi ideas or tight time-travel logic, you’ll likely find it derivative, busy, and a bit too convenient when it needs to be. The tone can also feel glib—cracking jokes right up against emotional beats—so the heartfelt moments may not land if that whiplash annoys you. Still, the kid casting is strong, the action is cleanly staged, and if you just want a light, sentimental popcorn ride rather than a brainy sci-fi, it’ll do the job.