The Adjustment Bureau

Play trailer

The Adjustment Bureau

PG-13

Released Mar 4, 2011

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Romance

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

260 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Just as he is on the brink of winning a Senate seat, politician David Norris (Matt Damon) meets a ballerina named Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt). Though David is instantly smitten, mysterious men conspire to keep him away from the beautiful dancer. David learns that he is facing the powerful agents of Fate itself, and glimpsing the future laid out for him, must either accept a predetermined path that does not include Elise or else defy Fate to be with her.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

First-time writer/director George Nolfi struggles to maintain a consistent tone, but The Adjustment Bureau rises on the strong, believable chemistry of its stars.

Read Critics Reviews

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

There are plot holes within plot holes within plot holes, and although acres of raw exposition are provided, nothing ever makes proper sense.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

It was a decent concept (at best) that was not supported with a good screenplay, and grew sillier by the minute. It just didn't work.

Rated: D+

Sep 8, 2017

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: A-

Feb 14, 2012

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

What sustains the film is the handsome location shooting and the chemistry between the very photogenic leads.

Oct 28, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Shot without much visual panache, The Adjustment Bureau remains a confident and well-executed film by first-time director Nolfi.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 31, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The film is well made, uses some great Brooklyn locations, and has some nice performances especially from it’s two leads. But the inconsistent script, lackluster ending, and flat-out silliness brings down what could have been a fun movie.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

GI S

a 65 million dollar Trilby hat commercial I was on board and having a fun time in the first act, then the movie grinds to a hault for an hour with never ending conversations about angels, politics, dancing and love. the final act comes way too late and lacks the energy the movie promised. worth watching alone for the snapshot of early 2000's politicians, pundits (jon stewart is in this movie a couple times) and new york locations.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

Jeff C

Entertaining and exciting movie with a great premise. A science fiction movie that my wife actually enjoyed because it's also a romance. It has a satisfying ending.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

Full Review

Ava V

Amazing movie, definitely watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

Mark Asher G

If I didn't know it was Phillip K Dick's story, I'd say this movie was just a twist on 'Sliding Doors.' The attempt to maintain the 'mystery' behind the Adjustment Bureau itself renders the characters, and plot, a little flat, and Emily Blunt, other than being utterly gorgeous and charming as always, is a little flat as a character. Still, there are worse ways to spend a Saturday night than with this movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

Dave C

I enjoyed the movie. The story is different, and when you get something that is outside the norm people have a hard time excepting things as they are, which in this case is a movie that makes us feel good and makes us root for the underdogs.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

David H

The presence of Emily Blunt elevates an otherwise preposterous movie to a higher level then it deserves

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

George Nolfi

Director

Matt Damon

David Norris

Emily Blunt

Elise Sellas

Anthony Mackie

Harry Mitchell

John Slattery

Richardson

Michael Kelly

Charlie Traynor

Solaris

66%

59%

Solaris

Watchlist

The Fountain

52%

74%

The Fountain

Watchlist

Super 8

81%

75%

Super 8

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Super 8

Passengers

30%

63%

Passengers

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Passengers

Project Almanac

38%

45%

Project Almanac

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Prime Video and Freevee in September 2022

Emily Blunt’s 10 Best Movies

Why Some Philip K. Dick Adaptations Work (And Others Are Total Disasters)

View more photos

Synopsis

Just as he is on the brink of winning a Senate seat, politician David Norris (Matt Damon) meets a ballerina named Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt). Though David is instantly smitten, mysterious men conspire to keep him away from the beautiful dancer. David learns that he is facing the powerful agents of Fate itself, and glimpsing the future laid out for him, must either accept a predetermined path that does not include Elise or else defy Fate to be with her.

Director: George Nolfi
Producer: Bill Carraro, Michael Hackett, Chris Moore, George Nolfi
Screenwriter: George Nolfi
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Gambit Pictures, Electric Shepherd
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|A Violent Image|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 4, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 13, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $62.5M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS

Most Popular at Home Now