The Chumscrubber

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The Chumscrubber

R

Released Nov 11, 2005

1h 47m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

37%

Tomatometer

59 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After a friend who sells prescription medication is killed, Dean (Jamie Bell) is confronted by Billy (Justin Chatwin), the high-school drug dealer, who demands he hand over the remaining stash. Dean refuses, causing Billy and his partner to plot to kidnap his younger brother, Charlie (Rory Culkin). However, unaware of what Charlie looks like, they accidentally abduct another boy. When neither parents nor law enforcement believes his story, Dean is forced to go on a rescue mission.

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Critics Consensus

This derivative poke at suburbia falls short of delivering a scathing indictment of upper middle-class disconnect.

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James Christopher

The Times (UK)

It's a surreal, offbeat comedy where the kidnappers are hopelessly inept while Bell feels hopelessly at sea.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 8, 2007

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

Despite the top-drawer cast assembled for his debut feature, the director Arie Posin's account of emotional dislocation in the 'burbs is stymied by a fatally uneven tone and a growing suspicion that we've been down this road many, many times before.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 8, 2007

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Olly Richards

Empire Magazine

A tragic waste of acting talent, with nothing new to say. Can we please now politely close the door on middle-class repression before we get really angry?

Rated: 2/5

Jun 8, 2007

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Whether the good performances, or sheer twisted attitude it presents to the same old formula, I enjoyed it, and the story.

Apr 29, 2009

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Matthew Turner

ViewLondon

Rated: 2/5

Jun 19, 2007

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Film4 Staff

Film4

A strong cast promises great things, but The Chumscrubber loses itself on the way to its indie aspirations.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 8, 2007

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Michael C

To this day, I still don't know what this movie is. All I know is it leaves a lasting impression. I can't say whether it's good or not. My rating is based purely on the fact that in my 30 years of life I've only seen two movies that took my on a complete and total ride I couldn't prepare for. The other is the book of Henry for those interested. All I know is this movie is distinctly different from anything I've ever watched and it's earned my praise for its absurdity.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

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Audience Member

A sleeper from the mid 2000's with a banger of a soundtrack and ensemble cast you'd be shocked to see nowadays. Really leans in to the cheap almost Disney-fied facade of that outer-Los Angeles suburban life. Such a satisfying ending too. Even bought it on DVD!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

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Salem T

A movie from my highschool years revisited, that did not disappoint. Well casted and thoughtful. The movie is definitely a slow build, sometimes adding characters before telling you their significance. The teens' reliance (in different ways) on prescription pills and their parents obliviousness, feels very accurate as someone who spectated on middle class dynamics, in my own youth. Dean (Bell) is believable as the over medicated loner, and the scene where he finally approaches Troy's mother (Close) is heart wrenching. Definitely give this a watch if you have the patience to let it all play out.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/12/24

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Audience Member

Great movie. Alot of life lessons in it. So many unique and different things happening at once. Good characters.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/30/24

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mark g

Tedious, just tedious. Poor character development and numerous scenes are just simplistic and nonsensical. Wanted to like it, but realized the whole plot was on idle.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/09/24

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Audience Member

In this movie, you can gain an understanding of what led to the massacre at Columbine High school in Colorado, 1999.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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Arie Posin

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Michael Ebbs

Jamie Bell

Dean Stiffle

Carrie-Anne Moss

Jerri Falls

Rita Wilson

Terri Bratley

Glenn Close

Mrs. Johnson

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Synopsis

After a friend who sells prescription medication is killed, Dean (Jamie Bell) is confronted by Billy (Justin Chatwin), the high-school drug dealer, who demands he hand over the remaining stash. Dean refuses, causing Billy and his partner to plot to kidnap his younger brother, Charlie (Rory Culkin). However, unaware of what Charlie looks like, they accidentally abduct another boy. When neither parents nor law enforcement believes his story, Dean is forced to go on a rescue mission.

Director: Arie Posin
Producer: Lawrence Bender, Bonnie Curtis
Screenwriter: Zac Stanford
Distributor: Picturehouse, Newmark Films Inc.
Production Co: El Camino Pictures
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Language|Drug Material|Violent Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $49.5K
Runtime: 1h 47m

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