Fix: Action, Explosions, Secret Agents, Thrills And Kills, Connie Britton
Platform: Netflix
Amazon Summary:
Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart star in this explosive action-adventure about a small-town slacker who discovers he’s a sleeper agent targeted by CIA operatives.
FYA Summary:
Stoner slacker Mike lives in West Virginia, with his supportive Manic Panic girlfriend, Phoebe. He works at the saddest looking convenience store in America, draws comics for fun, and gets busted so often for possession that the Sheriff knows his name. What Mike doesn’t know is that he was part of a failed experimental CIA sleeper agent program and he’s now been targeted for elimination. When he’s unknowingly activated, shit goes horribly wrong.
Familiar Faces:
Jesse Eisenberg as Mike Howell
Playing the Jesse Eisenberg role here. Mike is an affable, yet directionless dude, who has panic attacks every time he tries to leave town. He’s actually the perfect choice for a secret agent because you would definitely never suspect him of being that competent.
Kristen Stewart as Phoebe Larson
Phoebe is obviously a saint, to put up with her slacker boyfriend who ruins any and all potential vacations with his inopportune panic attacks. This might actually be my favorite Kristen Stewart performance. (Next to the greatness that is Breaking Dawn, obvs.)
Topher Grace as Adrian Yates
Yates is a wannabe CIA director on a power trip he cannot control. This is Topher Grace at his most punchable.
Connie Britton as Victoria Lasseter
Lasseter is a disgraced CIA agent who’s fallen down a few rungs on the ladder since her program failed, but she still has a vested interest in Mike. Better known as Mrs. Coach, Connie, as always, is perfection.
Walton Goggins as Laugher
I have adored Walton Goggins since Justified, but as the psychotic operative, Laugher, he is extremely disturbing and kind of gross.
John Leguizamo as Rose
Rose is Mike’s drug dealer and he is so very John Leguizamo.
Bill Pullman as Krueger
Bill Pullman, what are you doing here?! That is a very good question.
Couch-Sharing Capability: Party On, Wayne
American Ultra is the perfect action movie for unwinding on a Friday night. Make it a date night in, or make it a Zoom party, but have a little fun with this one.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: It’d Be a Lot Cooler If You Did
I mean, you’re still in quarantine, right? Drink ‘em if you got ‘em. Although, the characters in this movie would opt for refreshments of the more herbal variety. And you know, I’m not here to judge.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Let The Good Times Roll
I saw American Ultra when it first came out in an empty theater. I have no idea why this movie got so little buzz, considering it has a great cast, a fun premise, and was executed perfectly. It’s not trying to be anything other than what it is, and honestly, that’s kind of refreshing. Don’t you need a big, silly action movie about now (preferably one where ladies get to be badass, too)? I know I do. Plus, you’ve probably already watched everything on Netflix.
