The Adam Project

Adam Reed is a time traveling fighter pilot who crashes into 2022, unsure how his mission fits into the present. He must work with his 12-year-old self to stop a looming threat that could unravel the future as we know it. The plan requires both versions of Adam to rely on skills learned across decades, and it hinges on quick thinking under pressure as timelines bend and collide. They’re joined by a trio of adult allies, played by Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, and Zoe Saldaña, who bring their own expertise and moral support. The mix of action, dry humor, and surprising tenderness keeps the story moving at a quick pace without losing sight of the stakes. Their plan tests trust and resilience as they improvise under pressure.

Shawn Levy directs from an original screenplay by T.S. Nowlin with Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin; the film debuted on Netflix in 2022 as a high profile streaming release.

Because it premiered on Netflix, The Adam Project did not post a traditional theatrical worldwide gross. Its reach was measured by streaming audience engagement, not by box office numbers.

Fans appreciated the playful mix of family friendly humor, practical stunts, and big screen spectacle. Reynolds lands quips with timing, while Scobell holds his own opposite him in every scene. Saldana brings a calm futuristic edge and Garner and Ruffalo anchor the human stakes, grounding the sci fi thrills in real emotion. The film reinforces Netflix’s strategy of pairing star power with accessible, heartful science fiction and shows how time travel stories can feel intimate as well as exciting.

Critics generally praised the ensemble and pacing, noting that the script balances fast action with genuine heart. Themes include memory and forgiveness, the influence of family bonds across generations, and choosing cooperation over ego when facing a crisis.