“American Ultra,” starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Connie Britton and Topher Grace, is a high-octane thrill ride, only stopped by its misguided director. 

Nima Nourizadeh’s only other film directed is the dreadful “Project X.” He blocks any chance this movie has to become a beautifully presented B-action movie. The director failed to find a balance between the gory action and stoner-brand comedy.

At times the film plays as accidental satire, causing various action scenes to fall flat because an out of place piece of score or a tame act of violence.  

The talents of Stewart, Eisenberg and screenwriter Max Landis are what makes this movie flow. 

The coupling of Stewart and Eisenberg is not only the linchpin to the film’s success, but also might be one of the most realistic romantic duos in cinema history.

As compelling action segments go, the ending grocery store scene is the highlight of the film. It reaches the highest levels of thrilling brutality and serves as a major emotional grab.

The ending interaction between Eisenberg’s Howell and Walton Goggins’ Laugher speaks volumes about the horrific experiments placed on both characters.

Stars: 3.5 out of 5

Jacob Pierce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JacobPierce1_DE.