by Summer is a time for fun, laughter, and escape, and what better way to achieve that than with a movie starring the ever-charming Ryan Reynolds? While Reynolds is best known for his blockbuster comedies like Deadpool, he has also starred in several lesser-known films that deserve more attention. Here are three underrated Ryan Reynolds films perfect for your summer binge-watching.
Adventureland (2009)
Directed by Greg Mottola, Adventureland is a coming-of-age comedy-drama set in 1987 at an amusement park called Adventureland. Ryan Reynolds plays Bobby, a cynical yet charismatic carnival worker who becomes a rival for the affections of James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), a recent college graduate working at the park for the summer.
When James starts working at Adventureland, he expects it to just be a temporary summer job before heading off to pursue his dream of traveling Europe. However, he quickly realizes the realities of adulthood are not so simple. He is stuck living at home with his parents and working a dead-end job to save money for his trip. It is there at Adventureland where he meets Em (Kristen Stewart), a pretty young ride operator who piques his interest.
However, James soon finds himself in competition with Bobby for Em’s affection. While James is shy and awkward, Bobby is confident and experienced. He knows how to charm the ladies and is a veteran of the carnival scene. As James struggles to navigate relationships and find his place in the world, Bobby seems totally comfortable in his skin.
Beyond the central love triangle, Adventureland features an ensemble of quirky characters that work alongside James and Bobby. There’s Lovable Loser Mike (Martin Starr), aspiring musician Joel (Bill Hader), and promiscuous Lisa P. (Margarita Levieva). Each character feels fully realized, bringing humor and heart to the film.
Greg Mottola directs with a light touch, finding humor and poignancy in the everyday lives of these young people. The script, written by Mottola and Bob Dolman, is sharp and witty without being cynical. Adventureland feels authentic in its portrayal of the hopes, dreams, and anxieties that come with that transitional period after college.
While the plot may seem straightforward, it’s the characters and chemistry between the cast that make Adventureland so enjoyable. Kristen Stewart shines in one of her early roles as the sweet and spirited Em. Jesse Eisenberg is perfectly cast as the awkward yet optimistic James. But it’s Ryan Reynolds’ charming yet jaded performance as Bobby that steals many scenes. Adventureland is a sweet, funny, and nostalgic film that will have you reminiscing about your own summer adventures.
Buried (2010)
In 2010, Ryan Reynolds took on one of the most challenging roles of his career – starring in the claustrophobic thriller Buried. Written and directed by Rodrigo Cortés, Buried is a true one-man show, with Reynolds appearing in nearly every scene over the film’s 90 minute runtime.
The film wastes no time plunging the audience into Reynolds’ nightmare scenario. He awakens inside a wooden coffin with no memory of how he got there. His cell phone is his only connection to the outside world, as he receives taunting phone calls from his unknown captors demanding a $5 million ransom. With limited oxygen and no way out, Paul Conroy (Reynolds) must rely on his wits to stay alive long enough to be rescued.
Filmed almost entirely from the confines of the coffin (with some point-of-view shots from a camera attached to Reynolds’ head), Buried is a technical marvel. The film utilizes inventive camerawork and editing to maintain a sense of claustrophobic tension throughout. Viewers are right there in the coffin with Paul, feeling his rising panic and desperation.
But more than just a technical feat, Buried is a testament to Ryan Reynolds’ raw acting abilities. With very little physical movement possible and no other actors to play off of, it’s Reynolds’ facial expressions and voice that drive the entire narrative. Through Paul’s phone calls, texts, and frantic thoughts, Reynolds brings us into his character’s fraying mental state. We experience every emotion alongside him – the panic, anger, sadness and tiny moments of hope – all through Reynolds’ nuanced performance alone.
Buried is a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride from start to explosive finish. It keeps viewers constantly guessing as to Paul’s fate. Through its realistic scenario and Reynolds’ tour-de-force lead performance, Buried immerses audiences in one man’s desperate fight for survival. It proves Reynolds is one of the most versatile actors working today. Buried is a must-watch for fans of intense psychological thrillers.
Mississippi Grind (2015)
A more character-driven film featuring Ryan Reynolds is 2015’s Mississippi Grind. Co-starring Ben Mendelsohn, Mississippi Grind follows two gambling addicts – small town loser Curtis (Reynolds) and big dreamer Gerry (Mendelsohn) – who form an unlikely friendship on a road trip through the American South.
Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Mississippi Grind has shades of a classic buddy comedy road trip movie mixed with deeper insights into addiction and masculinity. Curtis is charming yet irresponsible, living hand to mouth and chasing his next score. Gerry seems to have more ambition but is just as lost in his gambling compulsion. When they meet by chance in a local Missouri casino, they decide to team up, hoping two problem gamblers together might turn one of their lucks around.
What follows is a poignant exploration of two broken men using gambling and each other as means to fill voids in their lives. Through flashbacks, we learn of past mistakes and relationships that brought both men low. Their road trip takes them to seedy underground games, glitzy riverboat casinos, and shady back-alley betting spots across Arkansas, Mississippi and beyond.
Reynolds and Mendelsohn have incredible chemistry, portraying the complex bond between these deeply damaged yet likeable characters. Curtis and Gerry egg each other on in their vices but also provide the only real companionship either has known in a long time. Beneath the humor and bravado is a raw emotional core examining masculinity, addiction, and the desire for meaning and connection.
Mississippi Grind doesn’t pull punches in showing the gritty reality and high stakes of gambling addiction. But it also finds moments of beauty, hope, and even redemption along the way. Stellar performances and nuanced direction make it a deeply moving character study. Mississippi Grind proves Reynolds is just as powerful in dramatic roles as comedic ones.
The Perfect Summer Watch
With a combination of humor, suspense, drama and nostalgia, these three films offer something for every mood or taste. Adventureland provides sweet summer nostalgia and coming-of-age charm. Buried is an intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller perfect for when you want an exciting watch. And Mississippi Grind offers thoughtful drama with complex characters.
Beyond just being great films, they also showcase Ryan Reynolds’ incredible range and versatility as an actor. From comedic roles to intense psychological thrillers, Reynolds brings heart and nuance to every performance. These underrated gems are proof he is so much more than just a charming action star or comedian.
So whether you’re looking to laugh, feel nostalgic, or get pulled into an edge-of-your-seat mystery, these Ryan Reynolds films are perfect for your summer binge watching. Kicking back with one of these entertaining and thought-provoking films is a great way to escape into a good story during time off. I hope you enjoy rediscovering – or discovering for the first time – these underrated cinematic gems starring one of Hollywood’s most charismatic leading men, Ryan Reynolds.
