Watch The Adderall Diaries

In the 2015 film The Adderall Diaries, James Franco portrays Stephen Elliott, a troubled writer who is struggling to overcome his writer's block and reconcile his difficult relationship with his father. Complicating matters is his addiction to Adderall, a prescription medication that he uses to increase his focus and creative energy.

As the film begins, we meet Elliott at a low point in his life. His latest book has been rejected by his publisher, he's barely making ends meet as a freelance writer, and he's caught in an emotional tug-of-war with his father (played by Ed Harris), who has been accused of murder. To make matters worse, Elliott is plagued by vivid flashbacks of his traumatic childhood, which make it difficult for him to concentrate on his work.

As he searches for inspiration for his next book, Elliott meets a young woman named Lana (played by Amber Heard) who is immersed in the world of BDSM and alternative sexuality. Intrigued by her unconventional lifestyle, Elliott decides to write a book about her experiences and begins to explore his own darker side.

As his relationship with Lana deepens, however, Elliott begins to spiral out of control. His addiction to Adderall worsens, he becomes increasingly obsessed with his father's murder trial, and he starts to experience blackouts and memory lapses. Desperate to break free from the toxic patterns of his life, he embarks on a dangerous journey of self-discovery that challenges everything he thought he knew about himself and the world around him.

What follows is a gripping and atmospheric journey through the dark corners of a troubled mind. Franco delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Elliott, capturing the character's vulnerability, isolation, and self-destructive tendencies. Harris is equally strong as Elliott's father, bringing a simmering intensity and complexity to the role of a flawed and angry man struggling to come to terms with his own demons.

Heard shines as Lana, imbuing the character with a mix of sensuality, vulnerability, and defiance. Together, the three actors create a rich and complex tapestry of relationships, secrets, and suppressed emotions that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the film.

Director Pamela Romanowsky takes a subtle and nuanced approach to the material, slowly building tension and suspense as Elliott's story unfolds. She seamlessly weaves together flashbacks, dreams, and hallucinations to create a fractured and dreamlike portrait of a man in crisis.

Overall, The Adderall Diaries is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of addiction, trauma, and identity in a compelling and visually stunning way. With its strong performances, intricate storytelling, and haunting imagery, this is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The Adderall Diaries is a 2016 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2 and a MetaScore of 42.