The Chumscrubber

R

Released Nov 11, 2005

1 hr. 47 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

37%

60 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

Full Review

jordan S

A grasping ideology of suburban life, dictating the links between drugs, depression and all around melancholy that comes with an un stimulating life in "utopic" suburbia

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/16/23

Full Review

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

isla s

This is a film about teenage angst, about being ignored by your teenage peers in relation to one character and parents who barely acknowledge you, in relation to another. Its a dark comedy with some interesting angles. I don't think it'd appeal to everyone but for what it is, its not bad. I'd have liked to have learnt a bit more about one or two people and there is perhaps a little too much going on with the many sub-plots but its a relatively easy watch and its an alright film overall. Its an alright piece of social commentary certainly. Its partly about self absorption and keeping-up-with-the-jones'. It has quite an eery tone and if your very squeamish then I wouldn't recommend it due to an upsetting moment present (I won't go into details so as not to spoil it but its not the obvious one mentioned in the plot synopsis). I wouldn't overly recommend it as such - its an ok film, maybe worth a watch if it comes on TV but otherwise I wouldn't go out of your way to see it as such.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best part was when Billy got slashed in the eyeball and then hit by Charlies Dad. I think the Video Game headlessguy was in need of a horse. Lol. I think.Donnie Darko was worse. This had some semblance of emotion. I shed a tear or two during the consoling Glenn at the Best friends funeral.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

it's hard to believe that the critics missed this film's spirit and were so exceptionally unreceptive to it. Glenn Close should emit a little tear at least, and if she never causes any sympathy you must be missing a soul. Jamie Bell gives definitive teenage angst and accurately portrays the hollowness of depression coupled with addiction. The cast of young antagonists are perfect. The realistic nature in beautiful contradiction to the dual surreal nature of the film creates a unique world to enjoy. And the movie says something, really delivers in a way most films have failed to. Allison Janney has never not been fantastic, in anything I've ever seen. Don't miss this gem. Do NOT pass this up, because it is a rewarding experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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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The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Troy Becomes the Chumscrubber

1:59

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Spilling Wine

2:13

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Helping Charlie

1:39

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Knowing Troy

2:11

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Casserole Dish

2:13

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Officer Lou Bratley

2:13

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - An Entirely New Life System

2:10

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Feel-Good Pills

1:49

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Across Driveways

1:24

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James Christopher

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Matthew Turner

ViewLondon

Rated: 2/5

Jun 19, 2007

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Bob Yari
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

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