Downsizing (2017)
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A man undergoes a procedure to shrink his body to escape the pressures of modern life, only to find himself navigating a complex new world of small-scale existence.
The story
In a world grappling with overpopulation and global warming, a scientist develops 'downsizing,' a process that shrinks organic material to reduce human consumption. Paul and Audrey Safranek, a struggling couple, decide to undergo the procedure to live in a luxurious community for small individuals. However, after the procedure, Paul's wife backs out at the last minute, leaving him alone in a sprawling mansion. He eventually moves to a smaller apartment and takes a job as a customer service representative. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Ngoc Lan Tran, a political activist who was also downsized, and he begins to navigate the complexities of the small economy and the lives of those living in the slums.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After undergoing a shrinking procedure, Paul Safranek is left alone in a luxury mansion while his wife, Audrey, leaves him. He eventually moves to a smaller apartment and takes a job at Lands' End. He meets Ngoc Lan Tran, a political activist who was forced into downsizing and lives in the slums. Paul begins working with her to provide supplies and medical help to the underserved community of small people. The narrative follows them as they travel to a remote location to meet Dr. Jørgen Asbjørnsen, the scientist who invented the process. They learn that the human race faces imminent extinction due to methane emissions. While a group of colonists plans to enter a vault to survive for thousands of years, Paul chooses to stay above ground to help the people in need. He ultimately finds contentment in his work serving the community in the slums.
- First release year
- 2017
- Runtime (minutes)
- 135
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Alexander Payne
- Writers
- Alexander Payne · writer; Jim Taylor · writer
- Cast and characters
- Matt Damon · Paul Safranek; Christoph Waltz; Hong Chau; Kristen Wiig
- Genres
- science fiction; comedy; drama
- Themes
- overpopulation; environmentalism; consumerism; human extinction
- Tone and mood
- dystopian; satire
- Setting
- A futuristic world featuring a community for small individuals in New Mexico and a remote location in a Norwegian fjord.
- Premise and plot tags
- size change; climate change; sci-fi
- Content notes
- amputee
- Reception
- The film was a box-office bomb and received mixed reviews from critics, though it was recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2017.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 47% · scale: percentage · review count: 301; Metacritic · score: 63 · scale: 100 · review count: 48
- Awards and nominations
- Best Supporting Actress · Golden Globe Awards · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was a box-office failure, grossing $55 million against a $68–76 million budget.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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