Downsizing
A kindly therapist enters a miniature utopia and discovers that reducing humanity’s size cannot simplify its moral and social problems.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- humane
- meditative
- thoughtful movie night
- science fiction double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly admired the film’s ambitious ideas, direction, performances, and visual scale while finding its mixture of satire, drama, and science fiction uneven and frustrating.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The downsized community offers economic advantages while reproducing disparities between privileged residents and marginalized people.
The medical procedure is marketed as environmentally friendly and economically beneficial, making radical bodily transformation part of ordinary consumer culture.
Paul Safranek must decide whether a comfortable downsized existence is enough or whether he should use his new circumstances to help others and the planet.
The film combines shrinking technology, social satire, and Paul’s personal search for purpose in the character-centered tradition associated with Alexander Payne.
Films like Downsizing, and why
The Truman Show
shares speculative social satire, humane character study, and an accessible blend of comedy and drama
Being There
shares climate anxiety, darkly comic futurism, and a protagonist searching for moral purpose within an artificial social system
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
shares eccentric science fiction, bittersweet humanism, and a visually imaginative premise used to examine society
Sorry to Bother You
shares environmentally focused satire, deadpan comedy, and concern with ordinary people confronting large-scale social problems
Movie Details
- Director
- Alexander Payne
- Release Date
- 2017-12-22
- Runtime
- 135 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (4210)
Cast
- Matt Damon
- Christoph Waltz
- Hong Chau
- Kristen Wiig
- Rolf Lassgård
- Ingjerd Egeberg
- Udo Kier
- Søren Pilmark
- Jason Sudeikis
- Maribeth Monroe
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Downsizing about?
- A kindly therapist enters a miniature utopia and discovers that reducing humanity’s size cannot simplify its moral and social problems.
- What is Downsizing like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Downsizing as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Downsizing violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Downsizing.
- What did critics think of Downsizing?
- Critics broadly admired the film’s ambitious ideas, direction, performances, and visual scale while finding its mixture of satire, drama, and science fiction uneven and frustrating.
- Which films are like Downsizing?
- Films with a similar feel include The Truman Show, Being There, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Sorry to Bother You.
- How long is Downsizing?
- Downsizing runs 135 minutes.
- Where can I watch Downsizing?
- In United States, Downsizing streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
