Free Guy

Guy [Ryan Reynolds] is an NPC in an immersive VR game. He lives a routine life, but the point of his life is to be shot, blown up, or otherwise mangled by the actual players. Then he starts to become self-aware. Meanwhile, in the real world, corporate shenanigans are threatening to close down the game. The two sides entwine, to save Guy and his world.

This is fun nonsense. The weird possibilities of VR are used well, to allow Guy to level up and become an unlikely action hero, and there is even an in-world explanation for his recent self-awareness. There's a hissable villain, lots of silly chases, some laugh out loud moments, some ponderings on being self-aware, a tiny bit of saccharine, and a rollicking plot.

Rating: 3.5

[ unmissable | great stuff | worth watching | mind candy | waste of time | unfinishable ]

reviewed 22 February 2026