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Self/less

Self/less

God Created Man. Man Created Immortality.

2015117 minPG-13Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
Director
Tarsem Singh
Starring
Ryan Reynolds, Ben Kingsley, Natalie Martinez, Matthew Goode

An extremely wealthy elderly man dying from cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness to the body of a healthy young man but everything may not be as good as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body's origins and the secret organization that will kill to keep its secrets.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Self/less?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Self/less to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Self/less?

Self/less earns 4 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Self/less worth watching?

Self/less' Midcredits score is the 55th percentile of all films, from 161K ratings across 6 sources. 56% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

55th percentile

Better received than 55% of films

70th percentile among Action55th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)47th
Approval (how many liked it)61st

61 /100

47th percentile of all films

64th percentile among Action48th percentile among 2010s

Critics 34 · Audience 63

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.6 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

56% liked it

61st percentile of all films

73rd percentile among Action61st percentile among 2010s
56% rated it 7–1044% rated it 1–6

Critics 18% · Audience 46%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

97th percentile

160K ratings across platforms

95th percentile among Action97th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$26M
Opening weekend$5.4M
Domestic gross$12M
Worldwide gross$32M

Returned 1.2× its budget — 73rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A dying billionaire transfers his consciousness into a younger body, but the film prioritizes action over exploring its sci-fi ideas.

Fans praised

  • Entertaining sci-fi action with a strong emotional core
  • Ryan Reynolds gives a compelling dramatic performance
  • Thought-provoking premise about identity and second chances

Detractors panned

  • Abandons its philosophical sci-fi premise for generic action
  • Ryan Reynolds fails to embody Ben Kingsley's character after the transfer
  • Predictable plot that follows a tired Hollywood formula

What stands out

ActingDivisive58

Kingsley strong in brief role; Reynolds praised for dramatic turn by fans, criticized for lacking Kingsley's mannerisms by detractors

Emotional impactDivisive55

Fans moved by sacrifice and redemption arc; detractors find it unearned

EndingDivisive52

Fans find the sacrificial ending satisfying; detractors call it predictable and contrived

Pacing50

Starts slow with Kingsley, then becomes brisk action; some find it rushed

Sound and musicDivisive45

Score described as effective by some, generic or intrusive by others

Plot and storyDivisive40

Interesting premise that devolves into predictable chase-and-shoot formula

OriginalityDivisive38

Derivative of Seconds, Total Recall, and other body-swap films

CharactersDivisive35

Underdeveloped: Kingsley's Damian too brief, Reynolds lacks continuity, supporting cast thin

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 10 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 4 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 7 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Self/less like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you can give it your full attention, and you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrillingMelancholic
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Adventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its sci-fi thriller premise straight, never winking at the audience, and treats its moral questions with earnest weight.
The rideThe film maintains a consistent tension with intermittent action beats, driven by the conspiracy and Damian's identity crisis, with the emotional weight distributed across its runtime.
StructureThe story unfolds linearly: a setup showing the protagonist's terminal illness and the procedure, a middle where he investigates the corporation's secrets, and a climax where he confronts the villain and redeems himself.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

Thought-provokingBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's central question — what is a life worth, and who deserves to live it — lingers, while the protagonist's choice to surrender his borrowed body for another man's family leaves a bittersweet afterglow.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% (this title) · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Corporate villainy: A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story follows a dying billionaire who discovers that the corporation that gave him a new body is harvesting living people; he must fight to expose them and protect the family of the man whose body he occupies. The corporate villainy drives the conflict, while his moral awakening and self-sacrifice give it a rebirth arc.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsIdentity · 14% of filmsFamily bonds
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeDamian seeks to atone for a life of selfishness by sacrificing his own consciousness to reunite the family he unknowingly displaced, reshaping his moral worth.
StanceThe film questions the moral cost of extending life at the expense of another's identity, focusing on Damian's personal struggle rather than societal commentary.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanSuburbanWildernessScience fiction
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score · Antonio Pinto
SettingA near-contemporary world where a secret corporation enables consciousness transfer into purchased bodies, moving from high-finance penthouses to Missouri farms.
MusicThe score blends brooding strings with electronic pulses to underscore the tension between human emotion and clinical technology.

Content guide

Is Self/less okay for kids?

PG-13

Self/less is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, some sexuality, and language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (61/100), sexual content at moderate (37/100), language at moderate (48/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (30/100) and frightening material at moderate (54/100). Overall it is heavier than 69% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 19 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12A
  • JapanG
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil16
  • BGC
  • ItalyT
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • Russia16+
  • SK12
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland16
  • UAPG-13
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 43% of all filmsHeavier than 69% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 75%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 67%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 66%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 45%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 63%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Self/less have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Self/less?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Ryan Reynolds
as Young Damian
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ben Kingsley
as Damian
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Natalie Martinez
as Madeline
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Matthew Goode
as Albright
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Michelle Dockery
as Claire
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Melora Hardin
as Judy
Victor Garber
as Martin
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Sam Page
as Carl
Derek Luke
as Anton
Mariana Paola Vicente
as Leah
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Self/less?

Movies like Self/less include The Old Guard (2020), The Island (2005) and Nowhere to Run (1993). Of the 12 closest matches, half are conspiracy thrillers, and several are films about corporate life.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

4 of these 12 share its world: high finance. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Self/less?

980 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: conspiracy thriller. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.