Ryan Reynolds‘ 2017 sci-fi horror film, Life, has recently climbed back onto streaming platforms, capturing renewed attention among viewers in the U.S. This resurgence has placed the Ryan Reynolds Life movie among the top ten most-streamed titles on Tubi, drawing interest alongside classics starring Brad Pitt, Dwayne Johnson, and Al Pacino. The film’s comeback highlights the sustained appeal of this gripping story about astronauts discovering extraterrestrial life.
The Premise Behind the Sci-Fi Thriller
Life, directed by Daniel Espinosa, stars Ryan Reynolds alongside Rebecca Ferguson and Jake Gyllenhaal as astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The crew is tasked with investigating what could be humanity’s first proof of life beyond Earth, found on Mars. As they study the organism, it quickly evolves into an intelligent and menacing threat far beyond their expectations.
“Astronauts (Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds) aboard the International Space Station are on the cutting edge of one of the most important discoveries in human history: the first evidence of extraterrestrial life on Mars. As members of the crew conduct their research, the rapidly evolving life-form proves far more intelligent and terrifying than anyone could have imagined.”
– Director Daniel Espinosa
Critical Response and Audience Reaction
Upon release, Life faced difficult comparisons to the legendary Alien franchise, setting high expectations that may have overshadowed its unique qualities. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a mixed score of 67% from critics and 55% from audiences, reflecting its status as an underrated gem rather than a blockbuster hit. Critics acknowledged its strong performances and atmospheric direction, though some felt it did not reinvent the space thriller genre.
“Life is just thrilling, well-acted, and capably filmed enough to overcome an overall inability to add new wrinkles to the trapped-in-space genre.”
– Rotten Tomatoes critics’ consensus
Matt Goldberg of Collider offered a more critical perspective, pointing out that the actors, despite being likable, were underutilized by the script, reducing them to mere victims of the alien menace.
“All of the actors are just likable enough that you care about what happens to them, but unfortunately the script doesn’t give them enough to make them more than fodder for the alien. Ultimately, Life becomes a well-crafted slasher movie in space, which is fine, but it could have been so much more.”
– Matt Goldberg, Collider
Renewed Interest in a Sci-Fi Thriller
Life’s resurgence on streaming platforms like Tubi exposes a new generation of viewers to a film that blends science fiction and horror with a thoughtful storyline. The movie’s ensemble cast, including Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson, and Jake Gyllenhaal, continues to draw praise for their portrayal of vulnerable astronauts facing an unimaginable threat. This renewed visibility may encourage a reevaluation of the film’s merits beyond its initial reception.
As debates about Reynolds’ potential future roles, including speculation about Deadpool joining the Avengers, continue to excite fans, Life’s presence on streaming charts reminds audiences of his versatility as an actor. The film’s sustained popularity also reflects ongoing interest in space-based thrillers and stories about the mysteries of life beyond Earth.
