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Chaos Theory

Play trailer Poster for Chaos Theory PG-13 2008 1h 28m Comedy Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
30% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Celebrated author and efficiency expert Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds) has always lived in step with a well-planned series of lists and timetables. His wife (Emily Mortimer) decides to play a joke on him and sets his clock back 10 minutes, but the consequences are far greater than expected. As Frank's well-ordered existence unravels, he opens up to the randomness of life.
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Chaos Theory

Chaos Theory

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Critics Consensus

Ryan Reynolds and Emily Mortimer do what they can, but ultimately Chaos Theory is an overly conventional dramedy.

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Critics Reviews

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Dennis Harvey Variety 10/18/2008
The lead performers, the brighter fillips in Daniel Taplitz's screenplay and Marcos Siega's assured direction make this a pleasing item overall. Go to Full Review
John Anderson Newsday 10/18/2008
2/4
If actor Ryan Reynolds isn't careful, he's going to parlay his good looks and engaging presence into a full-time job as a game-show host. Go to Full Review
Gregory Kirschling Entertainment Weekly 04/24/2008
C
Chaos Theory peddles the usual carpe diem movie bunk. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 11/28/2020
3/10
Doesn't have enough humor to be a well-rounded comedy, nor does it have enough tragedy to be an adequately heavy-hitting drama. Go to Full Review
Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews 01/24/2012
C+
Cole Abaius Film School Rejects 01/24/2012
A
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Audience Reviews

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Kent C @RT21719813 May 10 Not funny and forgettable. What stood out to me is the absolutely overly sappy musical score, which got in the way (many times) of the story. See more Cork B @RT87142816 Dec 29 It kind of has a strong premise and Ryan Reynolds is in it, but nothing really comes of it. If this is a comedy, it isn't funny. It sucks to be Ryan in this flick, but what did he take away from it? Make lemonade out of lemons, maybe? I have no idea. And the soundtrack is overly emo and grating. See more Young T @Yung007 Dec 24 The first 10 or 20 minutes of movie is a bit dry and I guess the director can’t determine it would be a serious drama or light hearted petty fight with an overly emotional wife. But when the secret was revealed to Frank, the second half of the movie is very touching. To be honest, I don’t like the character Susan, I wouldn’t want to marry someone like her. See more Bryan B @heybryan 02/04/2025 Time warp back to when RR was cast as lovable dork doofuses. It felt like there should be an American version with current RR, blake and Chris Pratt that takes way more chances and isn't as nice as a canuk in Timmy ho's. See more Samuel W @SammyWally 01/01/2025 A display of the Chaos Theory in a very unique way I'd never seen before in which a man is simply just a few minutes late for his day, and so it sets up a chain of events that completely dismantles his life to the very core. As he struggles, the comedy and misfortune increases more and more as he descends into mental chaos and does rash things. Ryan Reynolds stars alongside beautiful actors, such as the great Sarah Chalke, and presents a character far different than anyone I've seen him play. With a funny, yet entertaining plot, where you can't help but feel bad for him, it made for a pleasant, interesting watch. See more 01/11/2021 Did not finish @10 mins See more Read all reviews
Chaos Theory

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Movie Info

Synopsis Celebrated author and efficiency expert Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds) has always lived in step with a well-planned series of lists and timetables. His wife (Emily Mortimer) decides to play a joke on him and sets his clock back 10 minutes, but the consequences are far greater than expected. As Frank's well-ordered existence unravels, he opens up to the randomness of life.
Director
Marcos Siega
Producer
Frederic Golchan, Erica Westheimer
Screenwriter
Daniel Taplitz
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Lone Star
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Mature Thematic Material|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 11, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$238.0K
Runtime
1h 28m