The world premiere of "Everybody Wants to F--k Me," British writer-director Jonathan Schey's bluntly titled semi-thriller, took place Friday night at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film, which runs 97 minutes and is not yet rated, has been described as a movie with a messy premise that falls apart almost as soon as it is introduced.
The narrative centers on Adam, portrayed by Taron Egerton, a man who appears conspicuously considerate and attentive to women, possessing a penchant for feminist literature and working in an all-female art gallery. This charming facade, however, conceals a lothario whose strategy of "love 'em and leave 'em" proves highly effective until an incident involving a roofie after a one-night stand leads to a disturbing change: women begin aggressively pursuing him.
Described as a wannabe Edgar Wright film, "Everybody Wants to F--k Me" is criticized for its abrupt editing and dry humor layered over suspense, lacking coherence and intelligence. The film's success hinges heavily on Egerton's performance, with critics noting his charisma as a leading man and quirky character actor is too strong for the material.
Egerton's character, Adam, is presented as receiving his "just deserts" for his promiscuity, with the film drawing parallels to the Greek myth of the untamed satyr. The central mystery of how Adam's situation developed is approached through a series of choppy, escalating events, some of which are described as taboo. The film struggles to maintain audience engagement as Adam's quest to understand his perceived "pheromonal affliction" is characterized as static and nonsensical.
Adam's claims of being pursued by women are met with disbelief, leading him to appear increasingly erratic to others. His friends, including his lesbian best friend Emma (Charly Clive), react with bewilderment to his panicked assertions. The film reportedly maintains this tone of exhaustion until its conclusion.
The resolution of the film has been called a letdown, involving insects and described as both obvious and nonsensical, ultimately leaving the audience with an unsatisfying experience comparable to a "drunken one night stand."