Keanu Reeves' Cult Cyberpunk Thriller Leaves Netflix Next Month

Netflix users and fans of Keanu Reeves(so basically, everyone?) have until the end of the month to check out a hidden gem in the Canadian movie star's filmography, as part of a major re-vamp of the streaming service's movie catalog come July 1.

Johnny Mnemonic, the 1995 film starring Reeves that was met with polarizing reviews from critics upon release, also co-stars Dolph Lundgren, Takeshi Kitano, Dina Meyer, and Ice-T in an early role for the rapper-turned-actor. Based on the short story of the same name, the original cut was intended to be far longer, but reported studio intervention caused edits to make it a traditional 90-minute action film, leading to mixed reviews.

Set in the then-futuristic year of 2021 (yes, really), Johnny Mnemonic follows the titular character, played by Reeves, who is a data smuggler tasked with transporting classified, encrypted information via an implant in his brain. Johnny has to deliver the information to escape the megacorporations hunting him down, or he will fail to retrieve his memories, identity, and full brain function that were taken away from him to embark on this hi-tech heist.

While alternate cuts exist, such as a black and white cut and an extended version only released in Japan, the American theatrical release of Johnny Mnemonic has been through some significant reappraisals.

Many fans of the film have cited its campiness, eerily accurate predictions of future tech, cyberpunk aesthetics, and typical Keanu Reeves charm as core factors in its enjoyability, whether or not they consider it to be high art. Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who directed Reeves in The Matrix trilogy, even stated that they used the film to pitch their films' core concept to shareholders in the early stages of production.

Johnny Mnemonic leaves Netflix U.S. on July 1. Availability may differ in other territories.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 4:26 PM.