Apple TV+ dropped Fountain of Youth on May 23, 2025, hoping to channel the wild, globe-trotting vibe of Indiana Jones or National Treasure. With Guy Ritchie behind the camera and heavyweights John Krasinski and Natalie Portman leading the charge, this tale of siblings chasing the mythical Fountain of Youth sounds like a surefire hit. It’s got exotic locations, slick action, and a $100 million-plus budget, and it’s already climbed to the top of Apple TV+’s viewership charts with 990 points on FlixPatrol. But with a measly 37% on Rotten Tomatoes (from 89 reviews) and a 41/100 on Metacritic (32 critics), the movie’s getting more shrugs than cheers. It’s a flashy, fun ride that’s easy to watch but hard to love, missing the heart and spark of the classics it’s trying to emulate. Here’s why Fountain of Youth is a decent popcorn flick but not the treasure it wants to be.
The Setup: Siblings, Secrets, and a Mythical Prize
The story follows Luke Purdue (Krasinski), a cocky treasure hunter, and his uptight sister Charlotte (Portman), a museum curator who’d rather be cataloging artifacts than dodging bullets. They’re thrown together when a dying billionaire, Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), offers them a shot at finding the Fountain of Youth, the legendary spring of eternal life. Using clues tucked away in Renaissance paintings and an old journal, they jet off with a crew—hacker Eiza González, tough guy Laz Alonso, and historian Carmen Ejogo—to places like Bangkok’s chaotic markets, Vienna’s fancy libraries, and Cairo’s ancient pyramids. They’re racing against Interpol, a shady rival hunter (Wagner Moura), and a secret group with big plans. Oh, and their dad? He was an archaeologist named Harrison—yep, it’s a not-so-subtle wink at Indy himself.
Written by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac), the setup screams Saturday-night fun: sibling banter, ancient puzzles, and high-stakes chases. It’s got all the ingredients for a crowd-pleaser, especially with Ritchie’s knack for stylish action. But something’s off—it feels more like a shiny streaming product than a movie with soul, and that’s where it starts to wobble.
What Works: Killer Action and Gorgeous Views
Let’s start with the good stuff. Guy Ritchie, the guy behind Snatch and Sherlock Holmes, knows how to stage a banger action scene, and Fountain of Youth delivers on that front. There’s a wild chase through Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market, with Luke and Charlotte ducking through crowds and dodging tuk-tuks—it’s chaotic and thrilling, with Ritchie’s zippy camera work keeping things lively. Another standout is a shootout in the Austrian National Library, where dusty bookshelves turn into a battlefield. The big finale under the Pyramids of Giza, complete with crumbling chambers and clever traps, is pure popcorn-munching goodness. These scenes are fast, fun, and feel real, thanks to practical stunts and actual locations instead of CGI backdrops.
The movie looks gorgeous. Shot in Thailand, Austria, and Egypt, every frame pops with color and life, from neon-lit streets to sun-baked deserts. Cinematographer Ed Wild (Rocketman) makes it all feel alive, and you can’t help but wish this had hit theaters for the full big-screen treatment. Empire called the action “pacy” and the visuals “crisp,” while JoBlo said it’s “stunning” and “a roller-coaster worth riding.” The 120-minute runtime keeps things moving, and the PG-13 vibe makes it a solid pick for families looking for a holiday weekend watch.
The cast is stacked, too. Krasinski’s got that charming-everyman thing going, Portman brings her A-game, and the supporting crew—González, Alonso, Ejogo, and a sneaky Gleeson—adds flavor. Moura’s villain, a slick rival hunter, is a highlight, stealing scenes with a devilish grin. A splashy premiere at the American Museum of Natural History helped hype it up, and it’s no surprise it’s ruling Apple TV+’s charts right now.
What Doesn’t: No Heart, No Spark
Here’s where it gets messy. The story just doesn’t click. The script is loaded with clunky lines—like Portman’s “Allow me to clothe the elephant stumbling around this room”—that sound like they were written by a bot trying to be clever. Characters keep stopping to explain the plot, like they’re worried you’re not paying attention. It’s the kind of movie that feels made for people scrolling their phones, as Matt Zoller Seitz quipped on Roger Ebert’s site, calling it “the Citizen Kane of second-screen entertainment.” Ouch.
The biggest letdown is the sibling dynamic. Krasinski and Portman are pros, but they’ve got zero chemistry as Luke and Charlotte. Their constant bickering feels forced, and the script doesn’t give them enough depth to make you care. Luke’s a smug Indiana Jones wannabe, but The Cinema Spot nailed it by calling him “artificial and focus-grouped.” Portman’s stuck playing the boring straight man, and while she tries to inject some life, the role’s too thin. Their big “emotional” arc—tied to a vague childhood sob story—lands flat, making it hard to root for them.
The supporting cast gets shortchanged, too. González’s hacker and Alonso’s mercenary are cool but barely fleshed out, while Ejogo’s historian is basically a walking Wikipedia page. Gleeson’s billionaire vanishes early, and even Moura’s villain doesn’t get enough screen time to shine. The plot leans on tired tropes—clues are solved with a quick Google or a cheesy PowerPoint, killing any sense of mystery. Critics have roasted it for ripping off Indiana Jones, The Da Vinci Code, and The Mummy, with The Guardian joking it’s “Indiana Bourne and the Thomas Crown Da Vinci Code.” It’s not wrong.
The Verdict: Fun but Forgettable
Critics are tearing into it. That 37% Rotten Tomatoes score screams disappointment, with the Washington Post calling it “acceptably entertaining and completely soulless.” The Hollywood Reporter wasn’t impressed either, slamming its “rote” story and sequel-baiting ending that feels more desperate than exciting. ScreenRant summed it up best: “I’m glad this movie was made, but I’m so frustrated it wasn’t made better.” A few folks, like JoBlo, dig its “throwback charm,” and Collider liked its “relentless pace,” but even the kind reviews admit it’s not memorable.
Fans are having more fun, though. Some are raving about the “fun cat-and-mouse vibe” and “gorgeous” locations, calling it a nostalgic nod to The Mummy days. Others aren’t sold, grumbling it’s a pale imitation of better films. Its chart-topping debut shows it’s got legs for casual viewers, especially with kids out of school and families streaming over the holiday. But there’s no real buzz about the story or characters—it’s just “content” that fills a couple of hours.
Worth a Watch?
Fountain of Youth is a slick, easy watch if you’re after pretty visuals and some cool action. It’s perfect for tossing on while you’re chilling on the couch or doing dishes. But if you’re hoping for the heart, wit, or magic of the adventure films it’s chasing, you’ll come up empty. Apple TV+ keeps swinging big, but after mixed bags like Napoleon and now this, Fountain feels like another pricey miss. It’s a shiny distraction, not a classic. Grab some popcorn, lower your expectations, and you might have a good time—just don’t expect to remember it next week.