Downsizing

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2:25

Downsizing

R

2017

2h 15m

Comedy

Drama

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

300 Reviews

26%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Mild-mannered therapist Paul Safranek and his wife, Audrey, decide to undergo a process in which scientists shrink people down to miniature size to live in small communities. The irreversible procedure allows the people to gain wealth and a life of leisure while helping to cut down on the consumption of natural resources. As Paul gets to know his new neighbors and surroundings, he soon learns that living in a tiny suburb comes with its own set of huge problems.

Critics Consensus

Downsizing assembles a talented cast in pursuit of some truly interesting ideas -- which may be enough for some audiences to forgive the final product's frustrating shortcomings.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

08/28/2018

All those disparate elements fail to gel.

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Henry K. Miller

Sight & Sound

01/29/2018

While Downsizing is not not about the end of human life on earth, it confronts the prospect with minimal sentiment, and uses it to ask questions about what the good life might consist of, here and now.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

01/29/2018

3/5

With his latest film, Alexander Payne finds himself teetering uncomfortably atop a high-concept device and wrestling with tonal clashes.

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

08/09/2024

3/5

Strangely deviating from its own fascinating concept of small people, the second half of the film shouts bewildering environmental and political messages befitting more a climate or migration documentary.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

04/07/2024

1/5

A smart premise is reduced to groan-inducing humor and languishing unintelligence.

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Dan Schindel

Vague Visages

12/06/2023

Downsizing thinks it has big ideas, but artistically and intellectually, it’s as small as its protagonists.

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Christian W

01/03/2023

It really missed some opportunities. Nearly no interactions with differently sized people: the same story could've been told without shrinking anyone. Squandered possibilities, following one guy's journey and he wasn't even among the most interesting people.

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Gareth P

@RT73339437 May 7

There are so many holes in this idea of shrinking humans that it is difficult to follow the plot.

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Zane T

@ZaneThind Apr 22

While the premise and concept is intriguing with good performances from Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, and Hong Chau. This film's third act is bad and seemingly very inappropriate when comparing it to the other two acts of the film.

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prawnda S

@RT72497680 Mar 25

it's pretty good at times, but loses momentum and doesn't seem focused on plausibility in any way despite its scientific premise. there's not really much consistency in how anything works, but most of that is forgivable. the biggest problem though is that the ending is just kind of a wet fart. there's no real conclusion. i think some people would enjoy it, but i cant really recommend it because of the numerous plot holes and weak finale.

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Monica B

@Chartreusea Mar 15

Probably like so many , so sad to see a movie with huge potential, but instead took itself too seriously, and went for the easy clinate fear porn issue. Blowing a great premise is more annoying than a good old fashioned bad movie. Boo. A star and a half for some creativity.

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J V

@AppropriateTouch Mar 1

It was a mostly fun, silly take on a sci-fi tale. Reviewers looking for deeper meaning are looking in the wrong place. The story is about a man who has repeatedly failed to make opportunistic choices in his life for the sake of others. He has a rescuer mentality even when the choices harm him. In the end the prophetic words of his neighbor come true, and love saves him. Ignore the haters, it’s fun.

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Alexander Payne

Director

Matt Damon

Paul

Christoph Waltz

Dusan

Kristen Wiig

Audrey

Hong Chau

Ngoc Lan

Jason Sudeikis

Dave Johnson

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Downsizing: Official Clip - The Shortening Process

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Downsizing: Trailer 2

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Downsizing: Trailer 1

2:25

Downsizing: Teaser Trailer 1

0:30

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Synopsis

Mild-mannered therapist Paul Safranek and his wife, Audrey, decide to undergo a process in which scientists shrink people down to miniature size to live in small communities. The irreversible procedure allows the people to gain wealth and a life of leisure while helping to cut down on the consumption of natural resources. As Paul gets to know his new neighbors and surroundings, he soon learns that living in a tiny suburb comes with its own set of huge problems.

Director: Alexander Payne
Producer: Megan Ellison, Mark Johnson, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, Jim Burke
Screenwriter: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Ad Hominem Enterprises
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Sexual References|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 23, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.4M
Runtime: 2h 15m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)