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The Chumscrubber

Play trailer Poster for The Chumscrubber R Released Nov 11, 2005 1h 47m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Chumscrubber

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 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 Read all reviews
The Chumscrubber

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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The Chumscrubber

The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Troy Becomes the Chumscrubber The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Troy Becomes the Chumscrubber 1:59 The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Spilling Wine The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Spilling Wine 2:13 The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Helping Charlie The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Helping Charlie 1:39 The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Knowing Troy The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Knowing Troy 2:11 The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Casserole Dish The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Casserole Dish 2:13 The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Officer Lou Bratley The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Officer Lou Bratley 2:13 The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - An Entirely New Life System The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - An Entirely New Life System 2:10 The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Feel-Good Pills The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Feel-Good Pills 1:49 The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Across Driveways The Chumscrubber: Official Clip - Across Driveways 1:24 View more videos

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The Chumscrubber

The Chumscrubber (2005) The Chumscrubber (2005) The Chumscrubber (2005) The Chumscrubber (2005) Group of Kids in The Chumscrubber. A Newmarket Films release. Photo courtesy Sam Urdank. View more photos

Movie Info

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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