Self Reliance

Self Reliance has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in the US on Hulu. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jake Johnson is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Hulu.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Self Reliance is worth clearing space for. Self Reliance does what great comedies rarely manage — it is actually funny, consistently, across the whole run. When a man is offered a million dollars to play a game in which hunters try to kill him, he thinks he has found the perfect loophole: they can only attack when he’s alone. His only problem is that none of his friends or family believe the game is real. Forced to seek companionship in unexpected places, he navigates the bizarre challenge with humor, paranoia, and a surprising search for connection. Between them, Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick carry the comedy without ever forcing it. Self Reliance came out in 2024. What keeps Self Reliance from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Self Reliance. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Jake Johnson anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.