From Serial Killer to Superhero: Unveiling Ryan Reynolds' Forgotten Indie Movie

Highlights

Ryan Reynolds shines in his unique and surprising performance in "The Voices," which has received positive ratings from critics.

The film's combination of dark humor and horrific elements limited its broad appeal, but fans of the genre will find its black comedy enjoyable.

The conclusion of "The Voices" is eerie and bizarre, leaving audiences with a touching and unpredictable ending.

Most passionate film enthusiasts are likely familiar with Ryan Reynolds by now, even if they haven't seen The Voices. While he is mainly known for his comedic roles and as the internet's unanimous choice for Deadpool, he has also explored other genres. In 2015, he ventured into the horror genre with a touch of comedy in the film The Voices.

Initially premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, this unconventional and imaginative movie had a limited release and was quickly forgotten by viewers. Directed by Marjane Satrapi, written by Michael R. Perry, and featuring talented actors like Ryan Reynolds, Anna Kendrick, Gemma Arterton, and Jacki Weaver, the potential for this film to become a hit was present. With a modest budget of 11 million dollars, this indie film has the potential to captivate audiences long after its initial release if it receives enough attention.

What Is The Voices About?

In the film "The Voices," Ryan Reynolds portrays Jerry, a regular guy with a factory job, a shabby apartment above a bowling alley, and two adorable pets, a cat named Mr. Whiskers and a lovable dog named Bosco. Despite his seemingly ordinary life, Jerry is dealing with the aftermath of a past trauma and struggles with schizophrenia. As part of his court-ordered treatment, he sees Dr. Warren, his therapist, to help him cope with and manage his mental illness.

Jerry's schizophrenia takes a unique form, as he imagines his pets speaking to him. Mr. Whiskers, the cat, embodies an evil persona, while Bosco, the dog, represents loyalty and goodness.

One evening, after an eventful conga line dance at work, Jerry becomes infatuated with a co-worker named Fiona, who initially rejects his advances. However, fate brings them together when Fiona finds herself in need of a ride on a rainy night after standing Jerry up. During the car ride to grab a bite to eat, Jerry unintentionally hits a deer. To end its suffering, the deer pleads with Jerry to put it out of its misery, and in front of Fiona, he reluctantly does so. This traumatic incident deeply frightens Fiona, leading her to escape. Fueled by his emotional state, Jerry, clutching a knife, pursues her and accidentally stabs her when he trips. In a state of turmoil, he continues to stab her several times.

Later, Mr. Whiskers reminds Jerry of a task involving Fiona's body. Jerry brings her home and dismembers her, placing her head in the refrigerator. Upon witnessing this horrifying scene, Jerry decides to resume his medication. However, he is haunted by the horrors he encountered in his apartment and decides to discard all of his medication. The situation becomes increasingly bizarre when Fiona's head starts speaking to Jerry and asks for a companion in the fridge. This prompts Jerry to divert his attention to Lisa, a co-worker who has romantic feelings for him.

Although Jerry initially plans to murder Lisa at his childhood home, she ends up consoling him after he shares his traumatic past. This leads to a change of heart for Jerry, and they spend the night together. Unfortunately, Lisa becomes infatuated with Jerry and surprises him at his house. This unexpected visit ultimately results in her becoming Fiona's new companion in the fridge. As two women from the same workplace go missing, suspicions arise about Jerry. In a grim turn of events, another colleague joins Fiona and Lisa in the refrigerator. With the voices in his head growing more hostile and Jerry descending into a downward spiral, he seeks help from his therapist to prevent further harm.

What Is The Voices’ Rotten Tomatoes Score?

The Voices is receiving favorable critic ratings on Rotten Tomatoes with nearly one hundred reviews, garnering a solid 75% and just barely earning the certification of a fresh film. However, the general audience has not been as kind, giving it a disappointing rating of 58%.

Prominent critics unanimously commend Ryan Reynolds for delivering a unique and surprising performance. While some may find the tone and storyline a bit disjointed at times, many view the film as a triumphant example of black comedy. They do acknowledge, however, that the unconventional plot prevents it from having broader appeal. On the other hand, the general audience appears divided on whether the film is humorous, if mental illness is handled appropriately, and if the story is even worth their time.

How Does The Voices End?

Jerry sought help from his therapist, but the fact that he was a serial killer made her concerned and prompted Dr. Warren to call for assistance. Realizing that he couldn't let her go now that she knew the truth, Jerry forcibly takes his therapist captive, although she continues to offer support despite her fear. Realizing he needs to attend to his pets, Jerry takes Dr. Warren to his home, only to find the police waiting there due to calls from his colleagues. Overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, Jerry finds himself cornered as the police surround the bowling alley. In a desperate attempt to escape, Jerry abandons his therapist and descends into the abandoned alley beneath his apartment.

However, in his haste, Jerry accidentally damages a gas pipe, causing hazardous gas to seep into both the apartment and the bowling alley. The police manage to rescue Dr. Warren from the apartment, but she pleads for them not to harm Jerry. Despite her pleas, the police are obligated to perceive him as a threat to their safety. As a result of the gas leak, there is a devastating explosion and subsequent fire that engulfs both the apartment and the bowling alley. Now faced with a critical decision, Jerry must choose between remaining in the bowling alley and suffocating or attempting to flee in order to continue his murderous ways. Surprisingly, Jerry makes a semblance of the right choice and opts to stay in the bowling alley, eventually succumbing to the suffocating smoke and raging flames.

Instead of the ending where Bosco and Mr. Whiskers bid farewell to each other, they say their goodbyes in the afterlife just before things take another bizarre turn. Jerry materializes in a vibrant blue suit and is confronted by the women he murdered and his parents. Instead of engaging in a fight, the group readily forgives Jerry, and together, they share a joyous musical performance to a cheerful song while the credits roll.

The Voices is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.