Limitless (2011)
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A struggling writer's life is transformed after he discovers a drug that unlocks his brain's full potential.
The story
Eddie Morra is a struggling author in New York City whose lack of progress leads to a breakup with his girlfriend. He is introduced to NZT-48, a nootropic that provides perfect recall and accelerated information processing. After taking the drug, Eddie experiences a surge in productivity and begins to make significant progress on his book. However, the discovery of the drug's existence leads to dangerous complications, including the mysterious disappearance of his contact and the realization that the substance is highly sought after and potentially dangerous to those who use it.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After discovering the truth about the drug's dangers, Eddie begins to navigate a high-stakes world of corporate intrigue and underground dealings. He uses the drug to succeed in day trading and catch the attention of finance tycoon Carl Van Loon. Following a 'time skip' and the realization that his supply is dwindling, Eddie must navigate a dangerous landscape where he is hunted by a desperate man named Gennady and a mysterious man in a trench coat. After a series of violent confrontations and the death of his rivals, Eddie manages to secure a stable supply and eventually perfects the drug's effects. A year later, while running for the U.S. Senate, he reveals to Van Loon that he has successfully weaned himself off the drug while retaining its cognitive benefits. The film ends with Eddie and his girlfriend Lindy sharing a moment of normalcy.
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 105
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Neil Burger
- Writers
- Leslie Dixon · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Bradley Cooper · Edward Morra; Abbie Cornish; Andrew Howard; Anna Friel; Robert De Niro
- Genres
- science fiction; thriller
- Themes
- human enhancement; ambition
- Tone and mood
- propulsive; thriller
- Premise and plot tags
- nootropic; drug-induced enhancement; corporate intrigue
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn
- Franchise connections
- Television series
- Reception
- Critical reviews were mixed-to-positive, and the film became a box-office success.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 68% · scale: percentage · review count: 202; Metacritic · score: 59 · scale: 100 · review count: 37; CinemaScore · score: B+ · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Best Thriller · Scream Awards · 2011 · win; Best Science Fiction Film · Saturn Awards · 2012 · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film incorporates fractal zooming and jump-cutting to convey the drug's effects.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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