Free Guy blends slapstick comedy with philosophy, and it works

Following a string of tepid films throughout the 2000s, with comedies such as The Proposal (2009) and action films such as Green Lantern (2011) and R.I.P.D. (2015), Ryan Reynolds was at a crossroads. He didn’t quite fit into the rigidly defined packages of either genre. It wasn’t until 2016’s Deadpool that he found his footing. Melding his comedic chops with his charismatic frontman-like presence, he carved out his niche in the action-comedy landscape.

It is this same character that Reynolds brings to Free Guy, the latest offering from director Shawn Levy. A fresh spin on the “Are we living in a simulation?” idea, Free Guy is a cheesy rom-com mashup between The Matrix, Groundhog Day, and The Social Network.