Watch Adam

Adam is a 2020 drama directed by Michael Uppendahl and written by Allan Loeb. The movie follows Adam Niskar (Aaron Paul), a man who has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He struggles to connect with other people and often finds himself lost in his own thoughts. Despite his condition, Adam dreams of having a normal life, and he has a job working at a local aquarium that he loves.

One day, Adam meets a woman named Beth (Lilien Harvey) who he becomes infatuated with. When she disappears, Adam's mental health begins to decline rapidly. His mother (Lena Olin) is concerned for his wellbeing and tries to convince him to seek help. Meanwhile, a private investigator (Tom Berenger) is hired to find Beth, and he uncovers some disturbing information about her past.

As the plot unfolds, Adam's world crumbles around him. His grip on reality becomes increasingly tenuous, and he struggles to distinguish between what is real and what is not. The film explores themes of mental illness, love, and the lengths that people will go to find happiness.

One of the film's biggest strengths is Aaron Paul's performance. He portrays Adam with sensitivity and nuance, capturing the character's inner turmoil with authenticity. Lena Olin is also outstanding as Adam's mother, giving a heartfelt and emotional performance that is both moving and relatable.

The movie's pacing is somewhat slow, but it allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in Adam's world. The film is shot in a way that captures the character's perspective, using close-ups and distorted camera angles to create a sense of unease. The score, composed by Jeff Toyne, is haunting and atmospheric, adding to the film's overall sense of foreboding.

The movie deals with some heavy subject matter, including mental illness and suicide, so it may not be suitable for all viewers. However, it handles these topics with sensitivity and respect, never resorting to sensationalism or exploitation. The film ultimately leaves the audience with a message of hope, suggesting that even in our darkest moments, we can find a way to keep going.

Overall, Adam is a thoughtful and heartfelt film that is worth watching for the performances alone. While it may not appeal to everyone, those who appreciate character-driven dramas will find much to enjoy here. Fans of Aaron Paul and Lena Olin in particular will want to seek out this movie, as both actors deliver some of their strongest work yet.

Adam is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.