Ryan Reynolds’ Last Great Movie Is Over a Decade Old, and It’s Streaming for Free

Image: Marvel Studios

Long before Ryan Reynolds solidified his status as a ubiquitous multimedia force—overseeing Maximum Effort, captaining Wrexham AFC, and fronting campaigns for Mint Mobile—he was just another working actor. Yet, few in the industry over the last three decades have possessed a drive to reach the A-list quite like him.

He transitioned from a television sitcom spot on Two Guys and a Girl to comedy stardom with Van Wilder. An unexpected turn alongside Wesley Snipes in Blade: Trinity was meant to cement him as an action hero. When that failed to ignite, he pivoted through horror, R-rated thrillers, indie dramas, and romantic comedies. Despite the clear charisma that industry insiders recognized, the perfect vehicle remained elusive—a struggle that arguably led him back to the superhero genre with mixed results in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Green Lantern.

We know how the narrative eventually shifted: fueled by an unwavering commitment to revive Deadpool, Reynolds self-financed test footage to demonstrate his vision to skeptical executives. Once that footage inevitably went viral, the trajectory of his career—and the superhero landscape—changed forever. Leveraging that massive franchise success, Reynolds cultivated a polished brand of blockbuster appeal. Projects like Free Guy, Red Notice, and The Adam Project have cemented his status as a household name, even if his foray into the spirits industry with Aviation Gin proves to be his most enduring venture.

I must admit, I was a proponent of the “try-everything” phase of his career. I thoroughly enjoyed Waiting…, his overlooked restaurant comedy that clearly channeled his appreciation for the crude, irreverent humor of the 1970s—a sensibility that likely influenced his recent production of the John Candy documentary for Amazon. Reynolds possesses a razor-sharp wit, and his ability to deliver rapid-fire zingers is uniquely his own. While I found the relentless, headache-inducing fan service of Deadpool & Wolverine a chore, it’s clear his dedication to that character remains absolute.

Today, I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan—the exhausting monotony of Red Notice remains a low point—but I remain optimistic about his range. Much like Tom Cruise, who spent years pursuing massive, high-concept spectacles before eventually revisiting grounded, gritty dramas like Magnolia, Reynolds has untapped potential for nuanced dramatic work. If you need proof, look past the spandex and watch Mississippi Grind.

A somber, atmospheric road movie masquerading as a gambling drama, Mississippi Grind follows two down-on-their-luck card players trekking toward New Orleans in pursuit of a life-changing windfall. Written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson), this 2015 indie feels like a discovered relic from the 1970s—a meditative character study fueled by late-night whiskey and lost dreams. Ben Mendelsohn gives a haunting performance as Gerry, an Iowa real estate agent whose life has been hollowed out by addiction, while Reynolds plays Curtis, a charismatic drifter who navigates poker tables with deceptive ease.

Boden and Fleck skillfully repurpose the swagger and effortless charm that define Reynolds as a leading man, transforming him into a wandering mythmaker who sleeps in cheap motels. Curtis speaks with the familiar, playful cadence of a classic Reynolds character, yet he is clearly chasing his own demons. The film masterfully subverts expectations; while initially framed as a potential con artist, Curtis emerges as the most emotionally grounded, if ultimately tragic, figure in the story. It is a poignant, melancholic look at the allure of the “big win” for people who have nothing left to lose.

Throughout the film, Reynolds completely disarms the viewer. Playing a burnout is just as natural for him as donning the Deadpool mask and delivering profanity-laced quips. However, unlike most scripts he chooses, the world of Mississippi Grind offers pushback. When he takes Gerry to the horse track, the camera lingers on his face—a brief, unvarnished moment where you can see the realization dawning: I’ve made a terrible mistake. There is nowhere to hide in this film, and no amount of bourbon can dull the sharp edges of reality.

I believe Reynolds is capable of so much more. He belongs in the hands of directors like Paul Schrader, Josh Safdie, or Derek Cianfrance. He is a phenomenal talent currently tethered to the demands of mass-market appeal. If you want to witness the most authentic and vulnerable performance of his career, you owe it to yourself to watch Mississippi Grind. It is currently available to stream for free.

Mississippi Grind is streaming on Netflix and for free on Tubi.

Source: Polygon