Upon its release, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews:
Critics praised the ambitious concepts and the unique pairing of Wilson and Hayek, noting that it tackles heavy topics like homelessness and addiction through a sci-fi lens.
The 2021 film , directed by Mike Cahill and starring Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek , is a genre-blurring sci-fi drama that explores themes of addiction, mental health, and the nature of reality. While often compared to The Matrix , it offers a more grounded and sometimes devastating look at how individuals may use fantasy as a coping mechanism for a fractured life. Plot Overview
This response uses data provided by Google's Knowledge Graph Bliss (2021)
Many reviewers felt the film was "messy" or "convoluted," with a narrative that often over-explained its mechanics while losing track of its emotional core.