Free Guy

Bank teller Guy (Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool) thinks he has the best life ever. Each day as he walks to work with his best buddy, Buddy (Lil Rel Howery – Get Out), he helps the odd innocent bystander thrown out of a window, dodges a dozen or so flamethrowers and drive-bys, before reaching the bank that’s robbed every few minutes, but what job doesn’t have its quirks?

Life never seems to get Guy down until he meets Millie (Jodie Comer – Killing Eve), and is smitten from the instant they meet. Unfortunately, this happens to be just before she abducts him at gunpoint and breaks the news to him that he’s a NPC, and the whole world around him is an open-world videogame! Due to some kind of glitch in the code, Guy has evolved into an AI with freewill and now he’s the only one that can stop the evil corporate owner, Antwan (Taika Waititi – Mandalorian / Jojo Rabbit), from pulling the plug!

Playing by videogame rules, rather than those of the silverscreen, this film feels fresh, unpredictable and playful. Reynolds has his usual comic timing, and clearly relishes his role. Waititi is also on great form, and it’s hard to say who shines brighter. (The eagle-eyed amongst you may also spot cameos by Ninja, Lazarbeam, and Jack Septiceye.) This film is certain to entertain, even if you don’t know your RPGs from your FPSs…

Natalie Tyldesley-Marshall