Adverse

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Adverse

R

2021

1h 34m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Crime

Drama

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

12 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

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

Feb 12, 2021

Full Review

Dan Scully

Phindie

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

May 25, 2021

Full Review

Martin Carr

Flickering Myth

This lo-fi crime thriller from indie filmmaker Brian A. Metcalf is a slow burn character piece, that benefits from stripped back visual aesthetics.

May 19, 2021

Full Review

Daniel M. Kimmel

North Shore Movies

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.

Rated: 3/5

May 17, 2021

Full Review

Niall Browne

Movies in Focus

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.

Rated: 3/5

May 14, 2021

Full Review

Tessa Smith

Mama's Geeky

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.

Rated: 1/5

May 8, 2021

Full Review

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Pablo R

With two great actors this movie does not cut it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

Full Review

kristopher h

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.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

les n

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.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/25/21

Full Review

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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

Kaden

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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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