Self/less

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2:30

Self/less

PG-13

2015

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

17%

Tomatometer

143 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Billionaire industrialist Damian Hale (Ben Kingsley) is master of his universe, until he encounters a foe that he can't defeat: cancer. His only hope is a radical medical procedure called "shedding," in which his consciousness is transferred to a healthy body. After the procedure, Damian, now called Edward (Ryan Reynolds), starts a new life in New Orleans, but he's plagued by disturbing images. When he delves into Edward's mysterious origin, he learns that some will kill to keep it secret.

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Critics Consensus

Self/less boasts a potential-packed premise, but does frustratingly little with it, settling for lackluster action at the expense of interesting ideas.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Jul 19, 2015

2/5

Reynolds's failure to display the faintest trace (verbal, physical) of Kingsley's character negates any potential mind/ body tension. Self/less? Point/less!

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Jul 17, 2015

2/5

Tragically, the film itself is as dumb as a doorknob.

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Jul 16, 2015

2/5

Tarsem Singh's sleekly shot sci-fi thriller begins intriguingly but loses its identity.

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Matt Oakes

Silver Screen Riot

Oct 14, 2026

C-

'Self/Less' turns tail on its high concept premise to become a lifeless action film that features no action scenes worth noting.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 28, 2025

1/5

Borrowing all kinds of pieces and ideas from better, more coherent, and more menacing science fiction and action films, "Self/less" blows any attempt at being a compelling thriller at each supposed twist and turn it seems fit to fashion.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Jun 9, 2022

1.5/4

Tarsem loses his audience in actionized nonsense, leaving the story's best ideas to remain under-developed, if developed at all.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

Not a good movie thus my *2* star rating!

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Will B

@writeboywrite Aug 13, 2026

Hands down one of the best movies Ryan Reynolds has starred in. It had more substance and depth than just about anything else he's ever done. It had an intriguing but somewhat predictable plot - yet despite that, it was enjoyable. It allowed contemplation and asked some questions that those into the transhumanist movement would do well to ask themselves. How far would you really go for life extension?

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Brittany L.

@lovelybraylnn77 Apr 16, 2026

I have watched this movie over 3 times!! I love it!!

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Chris P

@RT06285801 Feb 28, 2026

Great movie, well worth the watch.

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ICUR M.

@icurmtheaded Jan 6, 2026

Very good story/premise without over-sciencing which usually requires unnecessary long dialogues by people in white coats. We get it, so on with the story of people. Nonetheless, the pills should have been 15% unobtanium. And Kingsley appear as a ghost in the mirror at the end. Oops, don't cross the streams...

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JM H

@JMH9999 Dec 4, 2025

It’s hard to make a bad movie with Ben Kingsley in it. I liked this one.

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Synopsis

Billionaire industrialist Damian Hale (Ben Kingsley) is master of his universe, until he encounters a foe that he can't defeat: cancer. His only hope is a radical medical procedure called "shedding," in which his consciousness is transferred to a healthy body. After the procedure, Damian, now called Edward (Ryan Reynolds), starts a new life in New Orleans, but he's plagued by disturbing images. When he delves into Edward's mysterious origin, he learns that some will kill to keep it secret.

Director: Tarsem Singh
Producer: Ram Bergman, James D. Stern, Peter Schlessel
Screenwriter: Àlex Pastor, David Pastor
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: FilmNation Entertainment, Focus Features, Ram Bergman, Endgame Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Violence|Language|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 10, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 16, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.3M
Runtime: 1h 56m

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