Jake Johnson’s directorial debut, Self Reliance, is a bonkers blast, but it might be a miss for people who aren’t fans of his specific brand of charming chaos. While the film’s premise is relatively simple and not at all unique, it’s Johnson’s performances that make it a type of riot you can’t help but invest in. In truth, in the hands of another actor, it might’ve been a convoluted plot that’s, at best, a little fun.
Self Reliance movie follows Tommy (Johnson) reeling from a breakup and going through his days with mundane routines before Andy Samberg (as himself) approaches him with a deadly game. He’ll win a million dollars if he survives thirty days of assassins trying to kill him. In a sense, the twist is actually fascinating—he won’t be killed unless he’s alone, even for a few seconds. Yet, the problem is that no one in his family is willing to stay with him because they’re all convinced he’s lying. It’s not until he meets Anna Kendrick’s Maddy that Johnson’s purpose for the film’s theme really comes to light and starts to shine despite some of the muddled moments.
The most human desire we each have is the need for connections, and when Tommy is forced to deal with his abandonment issues, it nudges the character toward understanding why going through hardships matters for healing. The merry band of characters make the film thoroughly engaging, but a little more vulnerability would’ve made it a stellar and bold debut. Again, the film isn’t for viewers who aren’t fans of comedy thrillers—but for anyone whose favorite character was Nick Miller on New Girl, this one will be an absolute blast.
It helps that Self Reliance is fully aware of its bizarre premise and leans fully into it, but much of the theme is lost in Tommy’s means of trying to convince people that this is real. The film is at its best when Tommy and Maddy connect through their shared understanding of loneliness, which thoroughly allows them to dive into something that could heal them both. And while the romance is ambiguous in the end, judging by the few scenes we get with them together, it’s noticeable that they’re the kind of match who’ll be good together.
Johnson’s directorial concept is a bit off-the-wall, and some of the close-ups are questionable, but the vision is unique enough to make me want to see more from him. The idea is intriguing from beginning to end, and when considering the film’s big picture, the execution sticks its landing. His screenplay is a bit stronger, and his performances as an actor always work, so it’ll be riveting to see how much he grows from here.
Self Reliance isn’t a masterpiece or anything of the sort, but it’s a blast through and through while Johnson builds up the tension by keeping viewers guessing. You’re never once clear on whether he’ll win or if it’s a big joke, which makes watching the film all the more engaging. The want for human connection and even the innate desire to have people trust in and have patience with you is such a strong emotion to dig into. The film does a good deal of it through its cracks, making it feel even more nuanced than it appears on the surface. Thus, in short, the supporting cast is pleasant, the mundanity of society sells a prominent story, and the small moments all count to create something fun.
Self Reliance premieres on Hulu on January 12.