Limitless (film)

Limitless is a 2011 American science fiction thriller film directed by Neil Burger and written by Leslie Dixon. Loosely based on the 2001 novel The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn, the film stars Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro, Andrew Howard and Anna Friel. It follows Edward Morra, a struggling writer who is introduced to a drug called NZT-48 that greatly enhances his brain function, which helps him improve his lifestyle.

Limitless was released on March 18, 2011. Critical reviews were mixed-to-positive, and the film became a box-office success, grossing more than $161 million on a budget of $27 million. A television series covering events that take place after the film debuted in September 2015, running for one season.

Plot

Eddie Morra is a struggling author in New York City. His girlfriend Lindy, frustrated with his lack of progress and ambition, breaks up with him. Eddie encounters Vernon, the brother of his ex-wife Melissa, who gives him a sample of a new nootropic called NZT-48, which Vernon implies will help Eddie with his "creative problems". Eddie tries the drug and discovers that he has acquired perfect recall, able to analyze minute details and information at incredible speed. Under the influence, he helps his landlord's wife with her law school homework, sleeps with her, cleans his apartment, and, now inspired, makes major progress on his book.

Eddie visits Vernon's apartment to learn more about the pill, but finds him badly beaten. Vernon, refusing to explain what happened, sends Eddie to run some errands. When Eddie returns, he finds Vernon murdered and his apartment ransacked. Before the police arrive, Eddie finds Vernon's stash of pills.