The Luckiest Man in America

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2:13

The Luckiest Man in America

R

Apr 2025

1h 30m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Biography

Game Show

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

78 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In 1984, a man named Michael Larson appeared on a popular game show called PRESS YOUR LUCK. Unfortunately for the producers, Michael was about to make history. In trying to beat the system, he caused one of the strangest moments on television.

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Critics Consensus

If The Luckiest Man in America doesn't fully deliver on the potential of its sensational true story, it fortunately has Paul Walter Hauser on hand to provide some welcome emotional complexity.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

Is it real? The acting is, from Shaunette Renée Wilson and Damian Young as vaguely defined CBS functionaries to Messrs. Strathairn, Anderson and Hauser, whose Michael Larson is the stuff a particular American dream is made of.

Jul 7, 2025

Full Review

Katie Walsh

Tribune News Service

So much more than just an exploration of this anomalous oddball story and character who managed to outsmart the media. The focus on the control-room panic illustrates how these corporate narratives shape the myth of the American Dream.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 10, 2025

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

It's difficult getting to know Larson or his drive, and he's portrayed as bashful and shrinking by Hauser.

Rated: C

Apr 7, 2025

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Derrick Murray

NERDBOT

Luckiest Man In America presses its luck with one too many spins, becoming the kind of film that gets in its own way and unable to settle into an identity. It leaves you with an appreciation for some of its pieces but rather forgetful of the whole picture

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

Alise Chaffins

MacGuffin or Meaning (Substack)

Sometimes, a reminder that the system can be taken down just by paying attention to the details is enough to keep those whammies at bay.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

Calum Baker

Radio Times

The screenplay, co-written by director Samir Oliveros, can strain a bit in padding the run time and finding ways to flesh out the central character, but it's all peppily paced and the cast keeps the material rather gripping.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 2, 2025

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Jeffrey Hope

A lot of effort went into replicating the 1980s-era set of Press Your Luck (albeit with some aspects slightly off). However, too many historical liberties were taken (especially as regards what would've been allowed out of CBS at the time and the ending of the movie), making the plot feel contrived.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/15/25

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Peggy Z

Movie was predictable, but enjoyable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

Full Review

Shannon P

Didn't feel engaged with the protagonist kind of interesting premise and I usually like movies based on actual events, but I just didn't "connect" with this film. Not a horrible waste of time and money, but pretty "meh."

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

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metalliphil

Solid performances but the ending felt like it was just left hanging w no real wrap up or any kind of resolution

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

Full Review

Alex

A comedic thriller with a solid cast. Story keeps you hooked. Overall 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

Sue

Very good cast, excellent background details about how game shows are produced. Main character well acted but unlikable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

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Samir Oliveros

Director

Paul Walter Hauser

Michael Larson

Walton Goggins

Peter Tomarken

Shamier Anderson

Chuck

David Strathairn

Bill Carruthers

Maisie Williams

Sylvia

The Luckiest Man in America: Exclusive Movie Clip - I'm Just Glad They Didn't Fire Me

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The Luckiest Man in America: Trailer 1

2:13

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Synopsis

In 1984, a man named Michael Larson appeared on a popular game show called PRESS YOUR LUCK. Unfortunately for the producers, Michael was about to make history. In trying to beat the system, he caused one of the strangest moments on television.

Director: Samir Oliveros
Producer: Amanda Freedman, Constanza Muñoz
Screenwriter: Samir Oliveros, Maggie Briggs
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Plenty Good, Fabula, Tucci & Company, Jaguar Bite, Exemplary Films Corporation
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Biography, Game Show
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 2025, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $421.5K
Runtime: 1h 30m

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