Self Reliance

"Surviving is all about the company you keep."

2024 1h 31m EN

😐

5.9

MID

★5.9TMDB · 339

ComedyThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

When a man is offered a million dollars to play a game in which hunters try to kill him, he thinks he has found the perfect loophole: they can only attack when he’s alone. His only problem is that none of his friends or family believe the game is real. Forced to seek companionship in unexpected places, he navigates the bizarre challenge with humor, paranoia, and a surprising search for connection.

“Surviving is all about the company you keep.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Jake Johnson
Tommy
Anna Kendrick
Maddy
Natalie Morales
Theresa
Andy Samberg
Andy Samberg
Mary Holland
Amy
Emily Hampshire
Mary
Nancy Lenehan
Laurie
Daryl J. Johnson
Malcolm

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jake Johnson
Writers: Jake Johnson
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Mid-budget at $70M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 2 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jake Johnson, shot by Adam Silver. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Dan Romer. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Ryan Brown shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick and Natalie Morales carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Surviving is all about the company you keep.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt26084002 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jake Johnson directs. Adam Silver behind the camera. Dan Romer scores. Ryan Brown cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Mid-budget at $70M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.
2Released 2 years ago.
3Directed by Jake Johnson, shot by Adam Silver. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Dan Romer. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Ryan Brown shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick and Natalie Morales carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Surviving is all about the company you keep.".
8IMDB entry: tt26084002 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Classified under 10 themes, including "isolation", "boredom", "paranoia", "dark comedy".

The technical file

Cinematography: Adam Silver
Original score: Dan Romer
Editing: Ryan Brown
Production design: Grace Alie
Costume design: Heather Allison
Makeup / hair: Alex Galindo
Sound: John Chamberlin
Stunt coordinator: Kelly Phelan
Runtime: 91 min · 1h 31m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $70,000,000
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Self Reliance (2024)

Also by

Jake Johnson

New Girl
2011 · ★ 7.4

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Manuel São Bento2024-01-10
★ 5/10
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.firstshowing.net/2024/review-jake-johnsons-new-comedy-self-reliance-plays-it-too-safe/ "Self Reliance possesses an intriguing premise but ultimately plays it too safe. More audacity and bite were required to truly leave a mark on Jake Johnson's feature directorial debut. Good work as an actor - Anna Kendrick steals the show, though - decent showcase of his strengths as a writer - despite failing to fully capitalize on the narrative's potential - but the lack of a firm grip on the thriller elements and some tonal inconsistencies prevent the film from reaching the next level. Some humorous moments and a sweet message surrounding the importance of human connections make it a worthwhile watch for those seeking a lighthearted comedy-thriller." Rating: C+
CinemaSerf2024-08-11
★ 6/10
I did quite like the premiss here, but the joke really did start to wear a bit thin after half an hour. "Tommy" (Jake Johnson) is invited to a secret meeting with two men who offer him the chance of winning $1 million if only he can survive a deadly game for a month. In order to take the prize, he must find a way to stay alive for whilst various hunters try to kill him. His only guarantee of safety is not a church, but being in the close presence of someone else. Innocent civilians are his bullet-proof vest. He assumes he can rely on his family - but they think he's rather lost the plot and that means holing up for thirty days with his nearest and dearest isn't an option. He will have to get out into the real world and make friends. This, of course, leads to new experiences and puts a lot of pressure on this man who isn't really best equipped - for anything, really. What would or wouldn't we do for a life changing sum of money? That's the gist but I found the effort from Johnson just too intense. The humour was way too in your face and his acting over the top as the scenarios began to recycle themselves. There's no jeopardy at all, and it probably didn't help that I'd no idea who Andy Samberg was, either. It's a perfectly watchable vehicle for Johnson if you like your comedy predictable and loud, but otherwise it's all quickly paced but forgettable fayre.