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Adam

Adam

2020100 minRMidcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
Director
Michael Uppendahl
Starring
Aaron Paul, Jeff Daniels, Tom Sizemore, Tom Berenger

A hard-living salesman becomes a quadriplegic after an accident.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Adam?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Adam streaming on Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Adam?

Adam earns 4 badges, led by Star-studded and Deeply moving.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Cast

Reception

Is Adam worth watching?

Adam's Midcredits score is the 60th percentile of all films, from 2.9K ratings across 4 sources. 54% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

60th percentile

Better received than 60% of films

38th percentile among Biography62nd percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)61st
Approval (how many liked it)58th

64 /100

61st percentile of all films

41st percentile among Biography61st percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

54% liked it

58th percentile of all films

34th percentile among Biography59th percentile among 2020s
54% rated it 7–1046% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

73rd percentile

2.9K ratings across platforms

51st percentile among Biography72nd percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26

What reviewers say

Fans praised

  • Aaron Paul's sincere, studied performance
  • Touching and emotionally resonant true story
  • Engaging supporting cast including Lena Olin, Tom Berenger

What stands out

Emotional impact85

Makes you cry and laugh; heartwarming and sad

Acting78

Aaron Paul brings sincerity and study; supporting cast delivers

Characters70

Rich, engaging characters with emotional arcs

Plot and story70

Inspiring overcoming story based on real events

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Adam like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Moving and uplifting: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to be moved and come out lifted.

It takes its time and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moving and uplifting.

Moods
TenseMelancholicHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Tender · 13% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its difficult subject matter with direct, earnest gravity, never undercutting the emotional journey.
The rideThe accident likely lands early and the heaviest emotional weight falls on the middle period of adjustment and pain, with a gradual turn toward hope.
StructureThe story follows a straightforward chronological progression from accident through rehabilitation to adjustment.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayViewers carry away a sense of hope and humanity, tempered by the sadness of the loss portrayed.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).RebirthHealing
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeAfter a life-altering accident, a salesman must rebuild his sense of self and find new meaning in life, following a rebirth arc of healing.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% (this title) · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsTrauma · 7% of filmsIdentity · 14% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a man forced to rebuild his sense of purpose and selfhood after a catastrophic accident reshapes every aspect of his life.
StanceThe film presents one man's physical and psychological ordeal without strong editorializing, letting the situation speak for itself.

The world

Early 21st centuryDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Brian H. Kim
Settingthe home and care facilities of a formerly able-bodied salesman adjusting to quadriplegia
MusicBrian H. Kim's score likely underscores the emotional transitions from loss to tentative hope.

Content guide

Is Adam okay for kids?

R

Adam is rated R: “Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, and language throughout” (MPAA). As of March 15, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its sexual content at intense (63/100), language at intense (62/100) and frightening material at moderate (52/100). Its language and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 7 other countries
  • AustraliaMA15+
  • FranceU
  • New Zealand16
  • South Korea15
  • Israel14
  • Russia18+
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · 3 of 5 categories
not ranked
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 79%
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (7 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (34 votes across 3 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Adam have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Adam?

Cast

4 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Aaron Paul
as Adam Niskar
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jeff Daniels
as Mickey
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Tom Sizemore
as Lucky
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Tom Berenger
as Jerry Niskar
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Lena Olin
as Yevgeniya
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Shannon Lucio
as Christine
Paul Walter Hauser
as Trent
Celia Weston
as Arlene Niskar
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Michael Weston
as Ross Niskar
Billy Field
as Morey

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Adam?

Movies like Adam include The Deep End of the Ocean (1999), Megan Leavey (2017) and The First Grader (2010). Of the 12 closest matches, most are biopics, and several are stories about carers and dependents.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its feel: tender. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Adam?

2.2K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: caretaker and dependent. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.