Adverse

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Adverse

R

2021

1h 34m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Crime

Drama

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Thomas Nicholas (“Red Band Society”) and Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) star in this gritty, intense urban thriller about one man’s quest for revenge. Struggling to make ends meet, rideshare driver Ethan (Nicholas) learns his sister Mia is deep in debt to a sleazy drug dealer. When Mia goes missing, Ethan discovers that crime boss Kaden (Rourke) is behind the act, and to get close to him Ethan takes a job as Kaden’s driver. One by one Ethan hunts down members of Kaden’s crew to wreak bloody vengeance as he prepares to confront Kaden himself.

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Joe Leydon

Variety

Feb 12, 2021

Writer-director Brian A. Metcalf's indie offering boasts some impressive rough stuff and a surprisingly affecting turn by Mickey Rourke.

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Dan Scully

Phindie

May 25, 2021

It's not the plot that resonates once the credits roll - it's the characters.

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Daniel M. Kimmel

North Shore Movies

May 17, 2021

3/5

The sort of melodramatic crime film that can be appreciated for hitting the usual genre beats, but proves to have more to offer for those willing to dig in.

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Niall Browne

Movies in Focus

May 14, 2021

3/5

Brian A. Metcalf has crafted a solid neo-noir with Adverse. The writer-director-producer offers a glimpse into the underbelly of Los Angeles as this dark thriller prowls the after hours streets of the City of Angels.

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Tessa Smith

Mama's Geeky

May 8, 2021

1/5

Adverse feels like it never really goes anywhere, and doesn't accomplish anything. It just isn't entertaining, and is a struggle to get through for multiple reasons.

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Carla Hay

Culture Mix

Apr 29, 2021

[A] rage-filled, mindless vendetta movie that's so bad, it verges on parody ... And just like the body count that generically piles up in the movie, Adverse will be relegated to the disposable pile of deadweight movies with no soul and nothing to say.

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Jul 8, 2025

75% & 80%? The ratings for this movie are the reason Rotten Tomatoes is a joke. No way anybody in their right mind gave this movie a 3 or better. Some of the worst acting and dialogue in film. The Room was better. Watching this was like watching a really bad person die; you’re glad it’s over and won’t continue.

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Pablo R

@RT56827188 Oct 11, 2024

With two great actors this movie does not cut it.

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kristopher h

@RT58048534 Oct 8, 2024

I don’t understand how this movie had ratings above 15. So cheesy of a flick.. easy to expect everything that is going to happen. Nothing makes sense. Don’t waste your 2 hours unless you love a good night of drinking while heckling a stupid film. Thomas Ian Nicholas should of just asked Stiflers mom for the $20k to pay the bookies.

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Jul 26, 2022

Wow... Emotional, Action packed, brutal ride... Can't heap enough praise on this movie. It does not take the easy way out. Bravo

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les n

@Vegas628 Nov 19, 2021

How I sat through this whole thing I don't know. Previously Rotten Tomatoes was a sight you could trust. Not today. God awful movie.

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Oct 25, 2021

I’m not gonna lie . I couldn’t finish this . The acting was legitimately brutal and I try to always give the benefit of the doubt . 1.2

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Brian A. Metcalf

Director

Thomas Ian Nicholas

Ethan

Lou Diamond Phillips

Dr. Cruz

Sean Astin

Frankie

Penelope Ann Miller

Nicole

Mickey Rourke

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Synopsis

Thomas Nicholas (“Red Band Society”) and Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) star in this gritty, intense urban thriller about one man’s quest for revenge. Struggling to make ends meet, rideshare driver Ethan (Nicholas) learns his sister Mia is deep in debt to a sleazy drug dealer. When Mia goes missing, Ethan discovers that crime boss Kaden (Rourke) is behind the act, and to get close to him Ethan takes a job as Kaden’s driver. One by one Ethan hunts down members of Kaden’s crew to wreak bloody vengeance as he prepares to confront Kaden himself.

Director: Brian A. Metcalf
Producer: Kelly Arjen, Brian A. Metcalf, Thomas Ian Nicholas
Screenwriter: Brian A. Metcalf
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Red Compass Media, Black Jellybeans, Potato Eater Productions
Rating: R (Strong/Bloody Violence|Brief Nudity|Language Throughout|Drug Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 12, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 9, 2021
Runtime: 1h 34m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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