Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart star in this dynamic thrill ride that mixes explosive action with edgy humor. Mike (Eisenberg) shares a small-town life with his girlfriend Phoebe (Stewart). But Mike's sleepy world goes wild after he discovers that he's actually a CIA sleeper agent with lethal fighting skills—and the target of government hitmen. Mike, the ultimate slacker, transforms into an ultra-attacker as he and Phoebe fight to survive in this exhilarating adventure.
American Ultra
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Reviews
4.0
4,161 total
5 1,667
4 1,397
3 711
2 241
1 145
Richard Brody
Nourizadeh, working with a script by Max Landis, plays Mike's bloody violence like visual guitar riffs, and approaches the martial-arts set pieces with heavily underlined wit.
David Edelstein
The movie evaporates in the mind, but Stewart and Eisenberg have real movie-star chemistry.
Matthew Lickona
The action-movie absurdity is still in place, but so is Landis' muddy-bloody touch: by the end, Eisenberg's face is a purple, swollen wreck, and rightly so.
Wesley Morris
The movie has the sleepy vibe of some of those scuzzy '90s crime thrillers. It aspires to Natural Born Killers, but has barely enough competence to get close to something like Feeling Minnesota.
James Berardinelli
As misfires go, American Ultra can at least claim not to be boring.
Tom Long
You never fully buy "American Ultra" - you're not supposed to - but it's a decent ride with some nice turns.
Critic reviews
Richard Brody
Nourizadeh, working with a script by Max Landis, plays Mike's bloody violence like visual guitar riffs, and approaches the martial-arts set pieces with heavily underlined wit.
David Edelstein
The movie evaporates in the mind, but Stewart and Eisenberg have real movie-star chemistry.
Matthew Lickona
The action-movie absurdity is still in place, but so is Landis' muddy-bloody touch: by the end, Eisenberg's face is a purple, swollen wreck, and rightly so.
Wesley Morris
The movie has the sleepy vibe of some of those scuzzy '90s crime thrillers. It aspires to Natural Born Killers, but has barely enough competence to get close to something like Feeling Minnesota.
Tom Long
You never fully buy "American Ultra" - you're not supposed to - but it's a decent ride with some nice turns.
Stephen Whitty
I just wish there was a little more feeling, and a little less flash. And a lot more of Landis' dialogue, and a lot less of what feels like Nourizadeh's audition for an even bigger, dumber movie.
User reviews
A fun movie that I enjoyed more than I expected. I had a free rental so I figured I would give this movie a try. It had good comedy and over the top action. I now know that if needed I could use a spoon or a dust pan to save my life. I don't think that I would own the movie however if someone wanted to watch it I would totally watch it again. This is also the first movie that Kristen Stewart didn't bug me in. If you are looking for a good laugh action movie give it a go.
I love Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart's characters in this movie. Overall, this is a pretty decent film, it just could have been so much better. Topher Grace did an awful job at acting. A lot of his lines seemed forced. And none of the bad guys were any good, which is kind of disappointing, because there is a lot to like in this film.
I would recommend watching Mr and Mrs Smith instead, even if you have already seen Mr and Mrs Smith multiple times. American Ultra throws a lot of characters and story arcs into play, but doesn't really commit to developing any of them. The opportunities for character development are rushed through to get to the action sequences, but the fight choreography isn't all that great either. There is one memorable scene of physical comedy between Kristen Stewart and a taser that makes me wish that she were the protagonist. Eisenberg's typecast nervous mumbling would have been funnier in her supporting character's role.
Really.....? All these reviews, not one mentions the best role/character in the movie. I am speaking of course of the amazing John Leguizamo!!! He is absolutely hilarious in this movie. The scene where Stewart and Eisenberg show up at his crib.....there's a particular line he has, if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about....but I haven't laughed that hard for a single line delivery in quite sometime. The movie starts off a little slow, but picks up nicely and overall is a good, laugh out loud, outrageous movie!
Great story! So-so acting Jesse Eisenberg plays a great stoner, not so much a great super spy, but I think that was the point though I felt good acting lacked any passion for the part, but that's just my two cents. But even stone face Kristen Stewart seemed more emotional than he. The story has its issues like most movies today, but it was still well put together. Not quite perfect but amazing!
Max Landis + Great Film Concept = Bad Storytelling I sincerely had high hopes for this movie, especially because Jessie Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart teamed up again after Adventureland. Though their performances were excellent (as usual) everything else about this movie was blown way out of proportion and lacked intelligence. Compared to Eisenberg and Stewart's characters, the entire film was an oddly paced caricature of sloppy storytelling.
Easily a cult classic, but not really a comedy I definitely would not call this movie a comedy. More action that doesn't take itself too seriously. But this movie is brilliant. A lot of people complain about the acting of Eisenberg, but I thought that was kind of the point. As he put it, he's in "anaphylactic shock." interesting story with a satisfying conclusion and good acting all aroind, this movie is a really fun watch.
Eh. Didn't love it in theaters, but it was alright. It had some great scenes, some outright justice-porn, some really funny scenes, and... a lot of boring scenes. I think the problems lie with the two main characters. Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart aren't perfect in their roles. The genre of the movie seems mixed and confused. Topher Grace was the best part of the movie, by far, the kinda character you love to hate!
Boring, whiney, and really fake Was honestly expecting alot more from this movie. The main character was whiney the whole time much like most roles Eisenberg plays, it's poorly executed as well. It has the feel of a rich Hollywood executives kid thinks they have what it takes to make a good kid based Jason bourne. I'm sad I purchased it.
I'd sum this movie up as "Watchable." It wasn't great, wasn't bold, wasn't really original and wasn't that funny. It kept my attention most of the time. The beginning is rather silly and boring. The end rather anti-climatic. If you like either of these main characters, you'll probably enjoy the movie.
Critics got it all wrong This movie isn't as bad as some would put it out to be. It's advertised as a "stoner" comedy yet the writer and director say it isn't. American Ultra has fun action scenes, good characters, and a nice plot to back it up. Jesse Eisenberg plays a stoner sleeper agent who is activated one day after his operator finds out he's being hunted. After that it's a cat and mouse game as if the Bourne Identity meets Pineapple Express.
Mixed feelings... Eye dont know what to rate this one, because its the same old story revisited, eye have seen zillions of movies with the same plot and no matter who the cast is and how "hip" you can dress them or how much money was spent in the making if you cant bring anything new to the table than whats the point? At least it kept me watching, so eye will give it 3 stars and thats me being generous!
This is singularly the reason why I stopped watching trailers for movies. I was so excited about this when I first saw the trailer, and then when I watched it, I was sorely disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it's a great movie, but nothing is the same as the trailer. I was expecting robberies and fire and all that, which there was, but I was also expecting both Jesse and Kristen to have powers. Not the case. It's good, but it was hyped way too much.
Die Hard Jesse fan even tho he's a d%*k... Cant stand the other one. LOVED THIS MOVIE. These 2 work well together. I think Jesse should've been able to take on a more "I know I'm BadAss" attitude a bit sooner but hey, he got there *winks* eventually. Definitely better, BY FAR, in Now You See Me or Double. Worth a rent
It's one of those movies that you have to be in the right mood for. It's listed as a comedy... I was expecting something similar to the Bourne Identity with some form of humor. Sure it was somewhat funny at the beginning of the movie. But after that, It just dried up. Honestly... I wish I hadn't bought it. The Trailer looked sweet. The movie does not live up to the trailer. The acting isn't bad, but the story just isn't there... If your looking for something humorous, look somewhere else. If your looking for something even remotely like the trailer for this movie, look somewhere else.
Eeh I hate the way it portrays "stoners" I thought it would be a movie about pot culture but they barley even smoked in the movie! I think it was a stoner movie ment for sober poeple that don't fully understand weed at all. I loved the actors in the movie but the screen play and writing needed a different approach
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Additional information
Rotten tomatoes® score
Audio language
English (Stereo, 5.1 Surround)
Subtitles
English
Rental period
Start within 30 days, finish within 48 hours.
Info cards
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Run time
95 minutes
Rating
R