Although audiences often claim that they would like to see more original movies, it can be disappointing when films that aren’t based on established properties consistently underperform at the box office. American Ultra is a film that seemed destined to find cult success because of its unusual premise, as the notion of “The Bourne Identity with stoners” seemed like it would appeal to genre fans. American Ultra features another successful pairing between Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, who had previously worked together on the underrated coming-of-age dramedy Adventureland and would later collaborate on the romantic period piece Cafe Society. The film also featured a memorable performance by Walton Goggins, who subverted expectations by playing a surprisingly depthful villain.
What Is ‘American Ultra’ About?
Eisenberg stars in American Ultra as the perpetually nervous convenience store clerk Mike Howell, who has found it difficult to find upward mobility because of his debilitating anxiety. Although he had intended to take his girlfriend, Phoebe Larson (Stewart), on a vacation to Hawaii, they are forced to abandon their plans after Mike suffers a panic attack. Mike may not have thought that he ever had any potential, but he is secretly the survivor of a “Wiseman” ultra program of secret government assassins. The CIA agent Victoria Lassetter (Connie Britton) travels to Mike’s location in West Virginia to inform him about his abilities, as the survivors of the “Wiseman” programmer are about to be eliminated by the corrupt CIA agent Adrian Yates (Topher Grace). Mike’s training kicks in when he is in danger, but Yates has already dispatched his own “tough guy” agents to take him out. Among them is an unstable operative named Laugher, who is played by Goggins. Yates sees all of these agents as liabilities and is determined to cover up the conspiracy by whatever means necessary.
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American Ultra succeeds at satirizing the espionage genre, as it shows that not all secret assassins would have imposing physical features and seek out violent situations. Due to the fact that the “Wiseman” program was designed to develop unusual agents that would not attract suspicion, it makes sense that someone as seemingly non-threatening as Mike would have been selected. American Ultra is hardly the first time that Eisenberg has been cast as an awkward, highly self-conscious character, but he is able to exacerbate Mike’s unusual tendencies without turning him into a caricature. Similarly, Stewart is able to expand upon the characterization of Phoebe and ensure that she is not simply a “generic girlfriend” character, as there is a mutual level of support within her relationship with Mike. Even when it becomes clear that the stakes are quite high for the future of United States intelligence, Mike’s motivation in the film is to prove to Phoebe that she was right to believe in him.
Goggins has the most surprising performance in the film, as initially Laugher appears to be nothing more than another faceless goon used by Yates to achieve his malicious goals. However, it becomes clear by the end that Laugher is just as much a victim of the program as Mike is, as it is revealed that he was mentally unstable and manipulated by Yates. Goggins is able to insert some powerful insights on the treatment of those with mental health issues, but it doesn’t detract from the overall comic tone of the film.
‘American Ultra’ Is Both Hilarious and Moving
American Ultra features some impressive action scenes that combine the type of hand-to-hand fighting often seen in spy movies with moments of slapstick comedy, which might have felt more naturalistic in stoner films like The Big Lebowski or Mallrats. Eisenberg is able to ensure that Mike is still a vulnerable character because he has no idea how or when his abilities will kick in, as he does not have any memory of his training. This becomes particularly amusing when Mike proves himself capable of committing violence, as he is initially framed as being a pacifist who avoids any confrontational situations. The film also sets its action in seemingly normal places that are often unexplored within spy cinema; instead of featuring an intense standoff in a secluded headquarters, the film features an amusing fight scene in which Mike battles the “tough guys” in the midst of a crowded grocery store. Since this is a location that Mike and Phoebe may have frequented regardless, it’s an amusing way to show their two realities crashing into one another.
American Ultra succeeds in giving non-action stars the opportunity to participate in the genre, which is frankly more exciting than seeing trained professionals be an expert in their craft. Eisenberg is a great physical performer, and it is hilarious to see Mike gain confidence as he unlocks his potential. Goggins may have had the chance to play scene-stealing anti-heroes in shows like Justified and The Shield, but American Ultra is certainly his most physically ambitious performance to date. Between its cheeky animated ending credits, the surprisingly graphic violence, the goofy stoner humor, and the surprisingly earnest romance, American Ultra is an underrated gem that any fan of either Eisenberg or Goggins owes it to themselves to check out.