New on DVD: Ryan Reynolds is no ordinary character in 'Free Guy'

Tribune News Service
Ryan Reynolds in "Free Guy."

An action comedy where the entire world is not what it seems tops the DVD releases for the week of Oct. 12.

"Free Guy": Ryan Reynolds stars as Guy, a bank teller who thinks he has a perfect life, only to discover he's merely a nonplayable character, or NPC, in the background of a violent open-world video game. With Guy now aware of the reality of his situation, he must escape before the game's servers are permanently shut down.

"Penned by Matt Lieberman and Zak Penn, directed by Shawn Levy, 'Free Guy' is an easy, breezy riff on video game culture that’s sure to delight avid gamers (nongamers will get up to speed quickly), and calls to mind 'The Truman Show,' 'Wreck-It Ralph' and the Apple TV+ series 'Mythic Quest,'" writes Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review of the movie that was partially filmed in Worcester. "But it hinges on one very specific proposition that can make or break the movie: are you buying what Ryan Reynolds is selling?"


"The Green Knight": Dev Patel plays Sir Gawain, a knight of Camelot who must venture on a heroic quest in this take on the Arthurian tale directed by David Lowery.

"Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain": Documentary film focused on the celebrity chef and author, who died by suicide in 2018, detailing his journey from New York kitchens to travel TV stardom.

"The Flash: The Complete Seventh Season": The long-running CW show based on the popular DC Comics character returns with Grant Gustin starring as the fast-running Barry Allen.

"Black Lightning: Season 4": Fourth and final season of the CW series about a high school principal who moonlights as superhero Black Lightning, another DC character.

"Crime Story": Richard Dreyfuss plays a former crime boss out for revenge after a home robbery. Also starring Miro Sorvino.

"Survive the Game": Crime thriller starring Bruce Willis and Chad Michael Murray, who must defend themselves from a gang of criminals after a drug bust gone bad.

"The Colony": Humanity's survival hangs in the balance in this sci-fi film in which people have fled Earth for a planet 500 light-years away.

"The Haunting of Bly Manor": Released on Netflix in October 2020, and following the streamer's "The Haunting of Hill House," this nine-episode horror series concerns orphaned children at a manor in the English countryside.

"Wild Bill: Year 1": Rob Lowe stars as an American police chief who has relocated to rural England with his teenage daughter in this British drama series.

"On the Fringe of Wild": Two teenage boys find romance in a small Ontario town in this LGBTQ coming-of-age drama.

"Lady Usher": A modern-day retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story, "The Fall of the House of Usher."


"Don’t Breathe 2": This sequel is set in the years following the home invasion portrayed in 2016's "Don't Breathe," with Stephen Lang's character living in an isolated cabin until his past catches up with him.

"The Invisible Mother": Comedy horror film about a lesbian stoner caring for her grandparents who realizes they are being tormented by the spirits of an old photo album.

"Killing Eleanor": Dramedy about a terminally ill older woman who convinces an addict to help kill her in exchange for clean urine.

"Lust Life Love": A star-crossed love story set in the racy world of polyamory and New York city sex parties.