Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action drama

The Adam Project (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

The Adam Project (2022) movie poster

The Adam Project is a 2022 action drama directed by Shawn Levy, starring Mark Ruffalo as Louis Reed, Jennifer Garner and Walker Scobell. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and was made on a reported $116 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Non-Theatrical Release at the Artios Awards 2023. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
63
Loading streaming availability…
The Adam Project (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Shawn Levy
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$116M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Adam Project About?

The premise of The Adam Project without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A seasoned pilot is launched across time and unexpectedly connects with a younger version of himself and his late father. They join forces on a perilous journey through the past, navigating a complex family history while striving to avert a devastating future. Their adventure involves confronting past hurts and working together to protect everything they hold dear.

The Adam Project Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • time travel
  • future self meets past self
  • time traveler
  • dog
  • mother son relationship
  • character name in title
  • future
  • technology
  • father son relationship
  • year 2018
  • year 2022
  • year 2050
+38 more
  • reference to lightsaber
  • particle accelerator
  • three word title
  • meeting future self
  • bully
  • baseball bat
  • running through woods at night
  • inhaler
  • asthmatic
  • futuristic aircraft
  • motel
  • mother
  • son
  • father
  • man from the future
  • explosion
  • younger version of self
  • time
  • child in peril
  • time travel sci fi
  • jet plane
  • car
  • escape
  • forest
  • enemy
  • fight
  • laser gun
  • gun
  • evil woman
  • final battle
  • final showdown
  • digital de aging
  • dystopia
  • dystopian future
  • rescue mission
  • futuristic
  • wormhole
  • power outage
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Adam Project Cast & Characters

Mark Ruffalo leads the cast as Louis Reed, with Jennifer Garner as Ellie Reed and Walker Scobell as Young Adam. Directed by Shawn Levy; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Adam Project

· 9 more
From the director

More from Shawn Levy

More films directed by Shawn Levy, best-rated first: Real Steel, Deadpool & Wolverine, Free Guy and Date Night.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Adam Project Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Adam Project 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

63 /100

The Adam Project Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Adam Project receives a mixed reception, with reviewers highlighting its amiable chemistry and competent action while noting its reliance on familiar tropes. Critics appreciate the heartfelt treatment of family themes and the enjoyable performances of Reynolds and Scobell, but they also point to a predictable storyline and unoriginal visual callbacks. User feedback mirrors this split, describing the film as fun but unlikely to merit repeat viewings. Consequently, the film earns a moderate aggregate rating reflecting its balanced strengths and weaknesses.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film delivers competent but unremarkable production values. Reviewers note decent special effects and a polished set‑piece finale, yet few cite innovative cinematography or distinctive editing. The aesthetic leans on nostalgic 1980s motifs without pushing the craft forward. Overall, the art and craft are serviceable, contributing modestly to the viewing experience.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the leads provide solid performances that anchor the story. Both critics and audiences commend the chemistry between Reynolds and Scobell, describing it as fresh within a familiar buddy‑dynamic. Acting from the supporting cast is generally deemed competent, though some reviewers find the deeper character development lacking. The result is an enjoyable but not profoundly resonant ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 58

    Regarding plot and flow, the narrative adheres closely to established time‑travel formulas, prompting criticism for its predictability. Critics label the script as overworked and the story as largely unoriginal, while users acknowledge it as fun yet missing a distinctive spark. Emotional beats around grief offer some depth, but pacing and novelty fall short of standing out. Consequently, the story is judged adequate but uninspired.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    In the sensory domain, the film offers appealing sound and visual elements that support its nostalgic tone. Reviewers highlight enjoyable action sequences, effective special effects, and a soundtrack that complements the 80s vibe. While not groundbreaking, the audiovisual presentation is cohesive and enhances the light‑hearted mood. Overall, the sensory experience is pleasant and contributes positively to the film’s appeal.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Evaluating rewatch potential, the movie proves entertaining enough for a single viewing but offers limited incentive for repeat plays. Critics and users alike describe it as a decent one‑off family-friendly ride, with some noting a lack of lasting novelty or compelling reasons to return. While the humor and action sustain interest initially, the formulaic structure diminishes its replay value.

Plot

The Adam Project Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Adam Project from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a dystopian future set in 2050, fighter pilot Adam Reed embarks on a daring rescue mission by hijacking a time jet to reach the year 2018. However, an unforeseen accident lands him in 2022, where he encounters his 12-year-old self Adam12. The young Adam is grappling with the emotional fallout from the recent loss of their father, Louis Reed, a brilliant quantum physicist whose tragic death in a car accident has left a void in their lives.

Full summary

The whole story of The Adam Project, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Awards

The Adam Project Awards & Nominations

The Adam Project earned 1 award nomination, including Non-Theatrical Release at the Artios Awards 2023.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

The Adam Project Trailers & Videos

14 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 2 clips, 6 featurettes and 4 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 14 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Clip Adam Meets Adam Official Clip
  • Clip Final Fight Scene
  • Featurette Trailer Tomorrow
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Adam Project?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which year does The Adam Project predominantly take place?

Cars

Cars in The Adam Project

22 cars on screen, including the GMC Jimmy and the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe.

All 22 cars
  • GMC Jimmy in The Adam Project GMC Jimmy Important role
  • 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe in The Adam Project 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Minor role
  • 2015 Subaru Outback in The Adam Project 2015 Subaru Outback Minor role
  • 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Mk.IV in The Adam Project 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Mk.IV Minor role
Details

The Adam Project Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Our Name Is Adam” and “亚当计划”.

Also known as
  • Our Name Is Adam
  • 亚当计划
  • 超時空亞當計劃
  • アダム&アダム:2022
  • O Projeto Adam
  • Проект «Адам»
  • Проєкт «Адам»
  • 애덤 프로젝트
  • Adam à travers le temps
  • פרויקט אדם
  • 超時空亞當計畫
  • Az Adam-projekt
+15 more
  • El Proyecto Adam
  • ย้อนเวลาหาอดัม
  • Dự Án Adam
  • Projekt Adam
  • アダム&アダム
  • Επιχείρηση Άνταμ
  • Проектът "Адам", პროექტი “ადამი”
  • Adamo projektas
  • Proiectul Adam
  • مشروع آدم
  • O Projecto Adam
  • Пројект Адам
  • پروژه آدام
  • El projecte Adam
  • Aadama projekt

Seen The Adam Project?

FAQ

The Adam Project FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Adam Project, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Adam Project?

The Adam Project runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was The Adam Project released?

The Adam Project was released on March 11, 2022.

Who directed The Adam Project?

The Adam Project was directed by Shawn Levy.

More films by Shawn Levy

Who is in the cast of The Adam Project?

The Adam Project stars Mark Ruffalo as Louis Reed, Jennifer Garner as Ellie Reed and Walker Scobell as Young Adam, among 13 credited actors.

What was the budget of The Adam Project?

The Adam Project had a reported budget of $116 million.

How is The Adam Project rated?

The Adam Project has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Was The Adam Project nominated for any awards?

The Adam Project received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Adam Project have a post-credit scene?

No. The Adam Project has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app