Keanu Reeves has an incredibly prolific career that includes great cult classics like Devil’s Advocate and Johnny Mnemonic, but also some movies that were overlooked or generally panned by viewers. Over the decades, he has appeared in over 50 different movies, including the iconic John Wick and The Matrix franchises and his recent appearance as Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. His performances are legendary, and because of this, many of Keanu Reeves’ films are incredibly rewatchable.

However, this is also the case with some of his less beloved films, many of which still have real reasons to watch them today. Movies like 47 Ronin have seen a resurgence since their initial release, and this could be the case with many of Reeves’ other films that didn’t do so well when it comes to box office numbers and reviews. It will be interesting to see if this continues with his career going forward, as Keanu Reeves has many upcoming projects.

10The Whole Truth (2016)

A Twisting, But Unoriginal Courtroom Drama

Following the story of teenager Mike Lassiter who is accused of killing his father, The Whole Truth is equal parts mystery and courtroom drama. Reeves plays defense lawyer Richard Ramsay, the man in charge of defending Mike, in an attempt to unravel what really happened. What further complicates things is that Richard was professional friends with Mike’s father, adding further obligation to his side of things.

The Whole Truth is often criticized as an unoriginal and bland-looking entry into a genre that has seen these sorts of stories before. After all, there are several courtroom dramas that revolve around the death of a parent. However, though the initial plot may hold similarities to these sorts of films, The Whole Truth succeeds in weaving a narrative that triumphs in its cleverness.

9A Scanner Darkly (2006)

An Animated Film With One Of The Most Distinctive Looks In Cinema

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A Scanner Darkly

R
Animation
Crime
Drama
Sci-Fi
Thriller

Release DateJuly 28, 2006
Runtime100 minutes

Based on the original 1977 novel by Philip K. Dick, A Scanner Darkly is a broadly painted animated film that takes place in the middle of a modern dystopia. Not only does the film star an incredibly talented cast including Winona Ryder, Robert Downey Jr., and Keanu Reeves himself, but it also shines a light on the drug epidemic. Taking place in a totalitarian police state, A Scanner Darkly shows the dangers of both drugs and government oversight.

The movie is considered a faithful adaptation of the novel, bringing the themes to life in an animated style that makes A Scanner Darkly feel both hypnotic and larger than life. Despite the technical brilliance of this animation, the film has also been criticized for it, with reviews saying it undercuts the performances. Regardless, A Scanner Darkly is often forgotten in a sea of Keanu Reeves films despite the unique nature of its presentation.

8Youngblood (1986)

Keanu Reeves’ First Movie Appearance

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Youngblood

pg-13
Sport
Drama

Release DateJanuary 31, 1986
Runtime110minutes

Youngblood is a sports drama starring Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze, focusing on one boy’s dream to become a hockey player. This is a dream he ultimately achieves, with the film carrying on to depict the excitement of the hockey games his team goes on to play. Reeves plays a small role in this film in the grand scheme of things, appearing as another hockey player named Heaver.

A remake of Youngblood is said to be in the works. However, there is no news as to when the film might be released.

Being the first feature film that Reeves ever appeared in, Youngblood does not feature the best performance of his illustrious career. However, it is important to watch to see how far Reeves has come, both as an actor and as an artist in general. Aside from this, Youngblood is a generic hockey movie that has a warm heart at the center of it all.

7Replicas (2019)

This Science Fiction Thriller Was Met With Scathing Reviews

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Replicas

PG-13
Sci-Fi
Mystery
Crime

4/10

Release DateJanuary 11, 2019
Runtime107 minutes

Often considered to be one of Reeves’ worst movies in recent memory, Replicas is a complicated sci-fi thriller that sees a neuroscientist violating the law. He does this in an attempt to bring back his family, who died in a tragic car accident. Reeves, who plays the neuroscientist, clones his family to recreate the life he lost, but once they discover what he has done, things quickly begin to fall apart.

While the film itself has its moments of inconsistency that seem to drag on, more than anything it is an interesting look into what can drive a man to break the laws of bioethics. Reeves’ performance itself is solid, and the idea is an interesting enough exploration of a topic that so frequently is overlooked in science fiction. Though it has its missteps, Replicas is a good watch so long as it is not taken too seriously.

6Tune In Tomorrow… (1990)

A Comedy That Deserves Another Chance To Make Viewers Laugh

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Replicas

PG-13
Sci-Fi
Mystery
Crime

4/10

Release DateJanuary 11, 2019
Runtime107 minutes

Another movie based on a novel, Tune in Tomorrow is about a radio personality who is known for constructing radio scripts about real people. The film revolves around one radio drama in particular, featuring a budding romance between two of the people in his life. They eventually begin to tune into the radio broadcast, not only listening to wild tales of what has actually happened but also what might unfold next.

Though the laughs in the film do not always land, Tune in Tomorrow is a wild ride with plenty of jokes to be had. Some of the fun comes from the wild scenarios imagined throughout the film, making it a joy to see what happens next. The film leaves viewers wanting to keep tuning in, something that it does not get enough credit for today.

5Destination Wedding (2018)

A Fun Comedy Co-Starring Winona Ryder

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Destination Wedding

R
Comedy
Documentary
Romance

4/10

Release DateAugust 2, 2018
DirectorVictor Levin

When two miserable party guests are paired together at a destination wedding, chaos is bound to ensue due to their clashing, if not similar, personalities. Despite this clash, the two of them quickly fall in love over the course of the wedding. It is not the most original concept, with two averse love interests being stuck together at a wedding as recently as Anyone but You. However, Destination Wedding is a film mired in comedy, finding funny moments in the leads’ personalities as well as the wedding itself.

However, the comedy of Destination Wedding is underappreciated, as are the increasingly bizarre situations the two main characters consistently seem to find themselves in. The film itself only has a 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, stating that the film tends to drag on. However, the romance between Reeves and Ryder’s characters is palpable, with a comedic script that keeps the movie pushing forward.

4Chain Reaction (1996)

This Interesting Action Movie Has Been Mostly Forgotten

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Chain Reaction

PG-13
Science Fiction
Action
Drama
Thriller

Release DateAugust 2, 1996
Runtime107 minutes

Starring Reeves in one of his earlier action films, Chain Reaction is a science fiction thriller with a plot rooted more in the reality of the modern day as opposed to the far future. It takes place after the creation of a technology that turns the hydrogen found in water into clean energy. The action that follows is all done in an attempt to prevent the technology from falling into the wrong hands, keeping it exclusively with the United States government.

It is not scientifically accurate, but this lack of care for scientific accuracy is how the film allows itself to truly have fun with its plot. The hypothetical concept of a sort of “free energy” is explored to the fullest, offering a well-rounded idea of the repercussions of the film’s premise. The drama at the film’s core is genuine, as are the acting performances put on by the film’s cast.

3The Neon Demon (2016)

Reeves’ Performance Is Great In This Stylish Psychological Horror Film

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The Neon Demon

R
Thriller
Horror

6/10

Release DateMay 31, 2016
Runtime118 Minutes

The Neon Demon is a psychological horror film that takes a hard look at the fashion industry, doing so by depicting the experience of a 16-year-old orphan named Jesse. She is taken advantage of by seemingly everyone in the industry, all culminating in the point at which she is literally and figuratively eaten alive by her peers. It is a bloody watch, but the film is one with an important point to make.

Despite the film’s evocative imagery and bloody spectacle, The Neon Demon received mixed reviews. Some say that the film lacks substance, but others state that it is a spectacle that is as fun to watch as it is painful, gory horror. Reeves’ performance is particularly haunting, with him portraying a villainous hotel owner who is just as much a part of the abuse the film depicts.

2The Bad Batch (2017)

Reeves Plays Another Villain In This Dystopian Story

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The Bad Batch

R

Release DateJune 23, 2017
Runtime118 Mins

Not to be confused with the Star Wars series of the same name, The Bad Batch is another film with an all-star cast that has been lost in the weeds with time. The film takes place in a section of Texas desert where any deemed “undesirable” by the government are sent to live and must fend for themselves. The plot kicks off when the main character, Arlen, is kidnapped by a group of cannibals, only to escape into the clutches of a nefarious cult leader played by Reeves.

Despite a 46% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Bad Batch was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival. Reeves’ performance alone makes the film worth the time, with his acting as a charismatic cult-like leader called “The Dream” both engaging and tense to watch. It is an entertaining adventure through and through, making for a unique experience when it comes to dystopian films.

1Knock Knock (2015)

A Crime Thriller That Deserves More Credit

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Knock Knock

R
Mystery
Thriller
Horror

Release DateOctober 9, 2015
Runtime96minutes

In Knock Knock, when the wife of architect Evan Webber leaves with their children on vacation, a pair of young women come to the house seeking shelter from a storm. Evan offers them shelter and quickly finds himself seduced by the pair despite initially asking them to leave. What follows is a demented home invasion and torture plot, with the pair tormenting Evan for cheating on his wife.

Knock Knock is the second remake of the 1977 film Death Game, the first of which was a Spanish-language production that was released in 1980.

The satire the film brings to the table is well crafted, working both as a commentary on the torture horror genre and as a torture horror film itself. The tone of the movie is sometimes off, but this does not distract from the fact that it is incredibly tense. There are great performances, not only from Keanu Reeves but from the entire cast, with an ending that will leave viewers with a pit in their stomachs.