Contains spoilers. 

Time travel is a confusing concept; the reversal of the standard past, present, and future results in so many hypotheticals. What if you lose someone and can’t use time travel to save them because of the timeline? What if someone important to you travels back to the past and simply never returns? What if you try to find said person but accidentally end up in charge of saving the future alongside your 12-year-old self? 

Released on Netflix on March 11, the highly anticipated “The Adam Project” quickly made its way onto Netflix’s Top 10 movies list and took the number one spot. Following 40-year-old time-traveling pilot, Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds), this movie focuses on an accident Adam had when trying to time travel from his time in 2050 back to 2018. However, he ends up landing in 2022 instead, where he meets his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell). When the two Adams discover a sinister plot by a time travel agency in 2050, they become responsible for saving the future, even if it might lead to the end of time travel. 

Setting aside the obviously fictional aspect of this film, “The Adam Project” finds a way to connect with the audience through the topics of loss, betrayal, and bullying. 

A big theme in this movie is loss, which is shown through the death of Adam Reed’s father, Louis Reed (Mark Ruffalo), who died a few years before the movie is set in 2022. Although the viewers don’t see the immediate effect of Adam and his mom, Ellie Reed (Jennifer Garner), grieving, we are shown the long-term effect on their lives and the ins and outs of their mother-son relationship.

Maya Sorian (Catherine Keener), leader of 2050’s time traveling agency and friend of Adam’s late father Louis, tries to take control of time travel in an attempt to become rich and powerful, and doesn’t care who gets hurt or even killed in the process. Even though Maya was friends with both Adam and his late father, her evil ambitions blinded her. She abandons her friendship with future Adam, forcing her to do anything to stop him from uncovering her sinister plan. 

The younger Adam constantly gets picked on in school due to the fact that he is smaller and is quite the smart-mouth. Since this version of Adam is merely 12, he is a relatable character to many who were bullied as children for the smallest things, reminding adult viewers of their playground days and letting young viewers know they are not alone. Walker Scobell did an amazing job of portraying all the different emotions an individual might have in response to bullying and the brilliant scripting only aided his performance. Younger Adam tries to hold a fearless, carefree persona and talks back to anyone and everyone. While Scobell fits this side of Adam to a T, he was also able to show Adam’s vulnerability, this range helped make the movie extraordinary.

Overall, “The Adam Project” is 100% worth the watch, maybe even a few watches. This feature is truly deserving of its superstar cast, who help combine reality, comedy, and fiction perfectly. 

The only thing that may make this motion picture unwatchable would be who you watch it with: the cursing could be accepted, but the sexual references might lead to a slightly awkward atmosphere that isn’t appropriate for younger audiences. However, watching this film with friends or even by yourself is highly recommended. If you are looking for something to laugh at, “The Adam Project” is for you.