Spoiler-Free Review of “Self Reliance” on Hulu: Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick are Absolutely Charming!

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Congrats…you’ve been selected…”

Self Reliance premiered on Hulu on January 12th 2024. The comedy-thriller film stars Jake Johnson (he also wrote and directed the film), Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, and Andy Samberg. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

Tommy receives a mysterious invitation to participate in a game where he is hunted for thirty days. If he survives, he wins a million dollars, but his friends and family think that it’s all in his head, making him question his own sanity along the way as he tries to come up with loopholes to stay alive.

Here is the trailer:

Self Reliance features a quirky and fun performance by Jake Johnson, who lights up the screen with the always delightful Anna Kendrick by his side. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

An entertaining premise.

Think the comedic version of The Game and that’s kind of what you get with Self Reliance. The concept behind this film is pure genius and I think that it executed everything really well for the most part. As long as you recognize that this is more of a comedy than a thriller, you’ll enjoy your watch.

The opening was really strong and I was just as curious as Jake Johnson’s character, which motivated me to see this one through until the end.

Images courtesy of Hulu

The chemistry between Johnson and Kendrick is the best part of the film.

I thought I was all in for this killer game and yet I was more intrigued by the bond forming between Johnson and Kendrick’s characters. If you enjoy Jake Johnson’s dry humor, you’ll get plenty of that here since he also wrote and directed the film. Once Anna Kendrick joined the mix, things got a lot more entertaining and I thought they were magic together on screen.

I almost wish we got even more screen time for them together.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Needed some more thrills…

Since this was billed as a thriller, I expected a little bit more in this department. I still enjoyed my watch overall, but I think it would have been more enjoyable to see Jake Johnson’s character in real danger more often. The times that this did happen were kind of watered down and they lacked the suspenseful edge I was hoping for.

I also had mixed thoughts on the ending. I didn’t need anything that complicated, but  I would have welcomed a clever twist to really throw the audience for a loop…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in!

Self reliance is offbeat, quirky, and a lot of fun.

This film wasn’t perfect, but it was unique and the performances by Johnson and Kendrick made it worth the watch.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Self Reliance in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 3: “The Real Game Is Just Beginning”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 3, Hiram Lodge reminded us, “Don’t make enemies of the people trying to help you,” but it’s difficult to determine who is a friend and who is a foe in Riverdale.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Thirty-Eight:  As Above, So Below,” Jughead begins his first game of “Griffins and Gargoyles.”  Meanwhile, Betty tries to talk to Evelyn, Veronica opens her club, “La Bonne Nuit,” and Archie becomes a star.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 3 are:

5

“I couldn’t have done it without my favorite power couple.”

I think it’s safe to say that Cheryl and Toni, otherwise known as Choni, may be everyone’s favorite power couple.  At least they are definitely mine.  Veronica approaches Cheryl and Toni, initially looking for Jughead, and Cheryl hilariously says, “You mean True Detective?  He’s busy canoodling Nancy Drew no doubt.”  Seriously Cheryl is laugh out loud funny.  Veronica is looking for some material to blackmail her father and Toni has an in on where one of the Jingle Jangle drug labs are.  My favorite trio is back, reminding me of when Toni and Veronica teamed up to rescue Cheryl last season, as the three put their own sleuth skills to the test, capturing the drug lab on camera while looking absolutely fabulous.  It was nice to see some more air time for Cheryl and Toni, who definitely know how to make an entrance together.

4

“I’m shaking you down.”

Betty gives Veronica some really great advice when she tells her to focus on herself for a change.  Veronica has been so worried about Archie, but she does have a business to run.  Veronica decides to open up her club, “La Bonne Nuit,” but things get complicated when she gets a visit from Penny, a delivery of Jingle Jangle, and her father snooping around.  Veronica is not threatened; however, and she tries to get some leverage over her father, only he pretty much anticipates her every move.  Either way, Veronica’s opening night is a success, as Josie performs and Kevin gets his moment in the spotlight as the MC.  Congrats Veronica!

3

“That kid is a star.”

Archie initially turns down the warden’s request to be the next “mad dog,” but changes his mind when the warden initially uses Joaquin.  Archie is always trying to do the right thing and agrees to take his place, which involves some kind of fighting pit for entertainment.  Archie starts winning fights, but the warden reminds him that he wants him to put on more of a show.  Archie ultimately decides to take several punches before ending the fight, giving the warden the entertainment he is looking for without beating his opponent badly.  The warden approves and recognizes Archie’s star potential, but Archie realizes that he needs to get out of there before things escalate further.  Archie has clearly been watching one too many episodes of Prison Break, as he decides that they will need to plan their escape from jail.  Good luck Archie.

2

“We know all each other’s secrets.”

Betty decides to approach Evelyn, even though she gives off a major creepy vibe, to find out more information about the farm and its possible connection to the game.  Betty is surprised when Evelyn and some members of the farm show up at her house, ready to find out all of Betty’s secrets.  Although I’m not sure there is much left to tell since they already know about the body in the kitchen and Betty’s “webcamming” past.  Alice has disclosed all of their family secrets, but does she know what she is doing?  Betty requests an audience with Edgar, but is turned down.  She tries to make a connection to the seizures, but no one seems willing to open up to her.  Alice even tells her daughter that she trusts the farm more than her, which is heartbreaking to hear.  Betty recognizes that the farm is a threat, but will she be able to find out what is really going on there before it’s too late?

1

“Welcome to your first game.”

After approaching Ethel again after her seizure, she determines that Jughead is worthy to play the game.  Ethel agrees to hand over the rule book or the “scripture” only after he completes his first test.  You would think possibly drinking poison would be punishment enough, but Ethel tells Jughead that he also needs to kiss her in order to obtain the rule book.  Poor Jughead.  For some reason, Ethel decides to drink from the other cup and winds up in the hospital again, but is OK for now.  However, she is having conversations with “The Gargoyle King” and explains that she found him someone truly worthy to play, meaning Jughead.  Later on, FP and Alice discover the rule book and burn it, not wanting their children anywhere near it.  Betty and Jughead quickly realize that their parents know something about the game, but we still don’t get any concrete answers here.  Later on, everyone gets their very own copy of the rule book placed in their school lockers, revealing that “the real game is just beginning.”  New episodes return November 7thStay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale in the comments section below.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover