Downsizing | Rotten Tomatoes

Downsizing

R

Released Dec 22, 2017

2 hr. 15 min.

Comedy

Drama

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

TRAILER

for Downsizing: Trailer 2

List

47%

301 Reviews

Tomatometer

25%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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Premiered Apr 17

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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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Christian W

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

Aender S

One of those movies I liked way more than the general consensus. Although there are many major inconsistencies, like omitting the fact normal raindrops would become lethal if you'd be shrunk that much, I quite enjoyed the environmental topic of this film. I also liked the character of the Vietnamese character Ngoc Lan Tran very much, well played by Hong Chau, who's loveable mainly because she's so blunt.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/11/24

Full Review

Courtney W

I don't think a single plotline was resolved. I genuinely feel that the time I spent in the movie theater was wasted, and I had Movie pass when I saw this so it didn't even list money on it and it was still a waste. I didn't like one single character, the plot kept changing and no one's actions made any sense at all.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/24

Full Review

Robert W

I enjoyed 80 percent of this. but the ending was SO BAD! Looks like they planned a part 2 but nope!.....

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

Jeroen N

This could have been a great movie, if only the script writer had chosen one central theme and really committed to write a captivating storyline.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

Chris O

I thought it was pretty good. Interesting and original premise. Underrated.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

Full Review

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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 - Human Extinction

2:00

Downsizing: Official Clip - Entering the Vault

2:13

Downsizing: Official Clip - A New Love

1:57

Downsizing: Official Clip - You're Leaving Me Here?

2:13

Downsizing: Official Clip - A Little Advice

2:11

Downsizing: Official Clip - I Go to Norway Too

2:02

Downsizing: Official Clip - Leisureland Presentation

2:05

Downsizing: Official Clip - 8 Kinds of F***

2:14

Downsizing: Official Clip - Welcome to Little Norway

2:14

Downsizing: Official Clip - The Shortening Process

2:17

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Downsizing: Trailer 2

2:25

Downsizing: Trailer 1

2:25

Downsizing: Teaser Trailer 1

0:30

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

All those disparate elements fail to gel.

Aug 28, 2018

Full Review

Henry K. Miller

Sight & Sound

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.

Jan 29, 2018

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

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

Rated: 3/5

Jan 29, 2018

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

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

Rated: 1/5

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

Dan Schindel

Vague Visages

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

Dec 6, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Payne stretches the film for well over two hours and never quite realizes the possibilities of his central conceit.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 16, 2022

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Diana Pokorny
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
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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