Bradley Cooper’s 105-Minute Sci-Fi Shocker Is Now Streaming for Free

Before Bradley Cooper became one of Hollywood’s most reliable big-screen stars, he headlined a sci-fi thriller built on one killer question: What if you could suddenly access every corner of your brain? It was pulpy, fast-moving, and just clever enough to make its wish-fulfillment fantasy hit harder than a standard thriller.

That movie was Limitless. Now, 15 years later, the film has landed in a perfect streaming spot, because Limitless is currently streaming free on Fawesome. Directed by Neil Burger, Limitless follows struggling writer Eddie Morra, whose life changes overnight when he gets access to NZT-48, a mysterious drug that supercharges his brain function. The film was released in 2011, runs 105 minutes, and is loosely based on Alan Glynn’s novel The Dark Fields. It went on to become a box office success, grossing roughly $161.8 million worldwide against a reported $27 million budget.

The film stars Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra, Abbie Cornish as Lindy, and Robert De Niro as powerful businessman Carl Van Loon. The supporting cast also includes Anna Friel as Melissa, Andrew Howard as Gennady, Johnny Whitworth as Vernon, Robert John Burke as Pierce, Darren Goldstein as Kevin Doyle, Ned Eisenberg as Morris Brandt, and T.V. Carpio as Valerie.

Is ‘Limitless’ Worth Watching?

Collider’s review stated that Limitless tries to present the story of a man whose mind becomes superhumanly intelligent, but the film itself never quite manages to feel as smart as its premise suggests. While the premise offers plenty of intriguing possibilities, the film never fully explores them. There are hints of deeper ideas throughout the story, including commentary on society’s reliance on quick fixes and prescription drugs or the possibility of framing Eddie’s journey as a metaphor for addiction.

“The inanity of the plot is made worse by the vapidity of Morra’s character. While Cooper once nailed the everyman role on Alias, it’s a part that no longer suits him. He’s simply too handsome and his charm is more smarmy than good-natured. He’s not helped by the fact that Eddie is a selfish jerk who rarely seems bothered by the collateral damage NZT has caused and that all of his success is unearned. There’s also no help from the supporting cast. If you needed more proof that Robert De Niro (who plays a high-powered businessman who hires Morra) just doesn’t care anymore, you can add his performance in Limitless to the evidence locker.”

Limitless is streaming now on Fawesome.