Chaos Theory

Play trailer

Chaos Theory

PG-13

Released Apr 11, 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Stephen Garrett

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

Variety

The lead performers, the brighter fillips in Daniel Taplitz's screenplay and Marcos Siega's assured direction make this a pleasing item overall.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

John Anderson

Newsday

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.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Doesn't have enough humor to be a well-rounded comedy, nor does it have enough tragedy to be an adequately heavy-hitting drama.

Rated: 3/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: C+

Jan 24, 2012

Full Review

Cole Abaius

Film School Rejects

Rated: A

Jan 24, 2012

Full Review

Read all reviews

Bryan B

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

Full Review

Samuel W

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

Full Review

Midd P

New title: "How to gaslight a sucker into marrying a cheater because you didn't want to be the only one (and your not-daughter has already made a fame for herself)." At least Ed won't be raising some other man's child... probably. All ships have ups and dows, relation-ships included. Go down enough an the ship sinks. Sometimes you get a fool of a "captain" that wants to go down with the ship because he'd rather sink himself than the costs already incurred in a commitment. If you actually love someone, even if you need a break from them, the downs never include "f*ck around, see what/who else is there". The only lesson to be had from this film is: Don't be Frank. Ever. All art criticism and whatever aside, only watch this if you want to see a man painfully take spoonful after spoonful of poop and smile, knowing all the while that the only reason you're getting to know anything of it is because he's trying to convince another guy that this is the right thing to do to himself.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/14/24

Full Review

olivia h

the movie had a nice concept, but ultimately flopped due to it being rather dry with no humor OR serious moments. yet it calls itself a "dramady."

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/23/24

Full Review

alkis k

no good lesson in this movie

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Did not finish @10 mins

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Marcos Siega

Director

Ryan Reynolds

Frank Allen

Emily Mortimer

Susan

Stuart Townsend

Buddy Endrow

Sarah Chalke

Paula Crowe

Mike Erwin

Ed

Lars and the Real Girl

81%

84%

Lars and the Real Girl

Watchlist

(500) Days of Summer

86%

84%

(500) Days of Summer

Watchlist

TRAILER

for (500) Days of Summer

Catch and Release

23%

55%

Catch and Release

Watchlist

Elizabethtown

27%

66%

Elizabethtown

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Elizabethtown

Definitely, Maybe

71%

72%

Definitely, Maybe

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now