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The Luckiest Man in America

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2:13

The Luckiest Man in America

R

Released Apr 4

1h 30m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Biography

Game Show

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

74 Reviews

59%

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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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

Full Review

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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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

It’s an example of how to make a low-budget movie that immerses you in a long-gone world and the minds of people who lived in it, all while maintaining a tight geographical focus on a small number of characters.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 4, 2025

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The Luckiest Man in America is a well-acted character study that's fascinating but incomplete. This drama omits many interesting details of the real-life story of Michael Larson, who won a record-breaking 1984 jackpot on the game show Press Your Luck.

May 8, 2025

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Loosely based on real life events, The Luckiest Man in America is a slight story with a kitschy 1980s sheen that succeeds because of star Paul Walter Hauser and the strong supporting cast.

Rated: 3/5

May 8, 2025

Full Review

Jake Tropila

In Review Online

Director Samir Oliveros offers little to justify the film’s existence, often struggling even to stretch this unique moment in television history into a reasonable 90 minutes of runtime.

May 3, 2025

Full Review

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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

Full Review

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

Paul T

A suspense film where the suspense is always is played for laughs

Rated 4.5 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

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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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