The 2011 film Limitless is, ironically, greatly limited by its overwhelming sexism and racism. Its source novel – The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn – may have been adapted for the screen by a woman (Leslie Dixon), who traded a higher fee for a role as the film’s producer, but the story arc fails to lead us to the insight into toxic white masculinity that could have been. The result is a deeply frustrating experience, propped up the unpleasant perpetuation of sexist tropes, and an overwhelmingly white cast.

Directed by Neil Burger, the film follows the character of Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper), whose life is coming apart at the seams. He is a writer with a book contract,...

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