Ryan Reynolds’ Best Performance Is in His Box Office Flop ‘The Voices’

Ryan Reynolds‘ career started young; many were first introduced to him in the brief yet popular TV sitcom Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place. Yet, those tuning into that late ’90s comedy about 20-somethings running a pizzeria would have been unaware that Reynolds would go on to become one of the biggest names in Hollywood. It was a bit of a long road to get there, with some early highlights (or lowlights) coming via juvenile comedies like Van Wilder and Waiting before he became one of the most bankable superheroes in the MCU with his performance as Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool.

Reynolds has starred in more than 80 films and TV shows, and looking back at his career retrospectively, many hidden gems hinted at him becoming a pop-culture staple before the success of Deadpool. One movie that stands tall above the rest is 2014’s The Voices, a dark comedy horror thriller that remains one of the best performances of his career, especially for those who find themselves fawning over Reynolds’ looks.

Ryan Reynolds Plays Multiple Characters in ‘The Voices’

Ryan Reynolds plays Jerry Hickfang, a factory worker struggling with severe mental health issues, including constant hallucinations that he keeps hidden from those around him. Jerry uses his pets — a supportive and happy-go-lucky dog, Bosco, and a scheming cat, Mr. Whiskers (both voiced by Reynolds) — as a sounding board for his struggles. Despite his issues, his outgoing personality and traditional good looks land him on a date with a woman he has a crush on at work, Fiona (Gemma Arterton). However, after a misunderstanding, he ends up accidentally stabbing her and killing her.

Now, seeing himself as a killer on the run, his conversations with his pets become more intense. When he starts dating another worker, Lisa (Anna Kendrick in one of her best roles as well), with whom he soon falls in love, things become more complicated. To keep his relationship going, Jerry begins slaying anyone who gets close to the truth behind his crimes and his mental health struggles, despite his dog trying to keep him sane.

“You remember last week when you said that there was an invisible line that separates good from evil and you’d thought you crossed it, and I said no no no, you’re a good boy?” — Bosco the Dog in ‘The Voices’

The Voices is directed by Marjane Satrapi, who saw international success in her career with the 2007 animated masterpiece, Persepolis. After premiering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, The Voices got a limited box office run on February 6, 2015, bringing in just $2.2 million globally despite an $11 million budget. The Voices would land fresh with critics, though, and is currently at 74% on Rotten Tomatoes.

This Box Office Flop Has Ryan Reynolds’ Best Performance to Date

The Voices’ limited theatrical run and indie origins ensured that the Ryan Reynolds-led dark comedy would not reach a broad audience. This is unfortunate, as the film shows Reynolds at his best, balancing his comedic chops with a more serious tone that would see him become the respected, well-rounded actor he is today. The comedy is also more subdued, showing a departure from his overly silly persona that made him an early comedy star (not that there is anything wrong with an over-the-top Ryan Reynolds.) Reynolds plays wonderfully off co-stars Anna Kendrick and Gemma Arterton, showing the charm that has made him a heartthrob for many fans.

Jerry is a very complicated character, and playing him would be a tightrope walk for any actor. The film depends on him being charming and likable while also being a mentally deranged murderer. The Voices needs you to root for Jerry to get better despite his past deeds. Despite being a serial killer with mental health problems, Reynold’s Jerry Hickfang is very charismatic, and his murderous tendencies present a ‘bad side’ to him, more so than defining him. For most of The Voices, Ryan Reynolds is a down-to-earth working-class man just trying to make the best of a bad hand; audiences will undoubtedly find more compassion for him than fear, but the balance proves just how successful Reynolds is in the role.

Additionally, Reynolds’ work voicing the cat and dog he talks with gives the dark comedy an unexpected adorable edge, and pushes Reynolds’ skills. The animals are essentially different aspects of Jerry’s personality, and Reynolds imbues them with the perfect amount of honesty and absurdity.

Why You Need to Watch ‘The Voices’ & Where to Stream It

While the genre label of horror mashed up with dark comedy may not appeal as broadly to fans of Reynolds’ usual work, The Voices is relatively light even in the severity of its content. Sure, it can get ghastly, but the movie’s overall tone keeps it more upbeat than unsettling; despite hearing his dog, Jerry is no “Son of Sam.” There’s a surrealist aesthetic to the film that maintains a heightened sense of reality, maintaining levity even during gritty moments. So fans of Reynolds who are uncertain of the genre label attached to this one can approach without worry; you’ll get to see new sides of the actor and enjoy a truly distinct satirical thriller.

Yes, the comedy is dark, but Reynolds’ natural charm also softens the various murders and dismemberments within. The cast here is fantastic, the script is clever and humorous, the direction is bold and literally colorful, and the pets and Ryan Reynolds deliver double the adorable; what more would you want? You can stream The Voices for free on Pluto TV or The Roku Channel, or rent or buy it on Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube. Watch the trailer below: