Downsizing

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2:25

Downsizing

R

2017

2h 15m

Comedy

Drama

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

300 Reviews

25%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Mild-mannered therapist Paul Safranek and his wife, Audrey, decide to undergo a process in which scientists shrink people down to miniature size to live in small communities. The irreversible procedure allows the people to gain wealth and a life of leisure while helping to cut down on the consumption of natural resources. As Paul gets to know his new neighbors and surroundings, he soon learns that living in a tiny suburb comes with its own set of huge problems.

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Critics Consensus

Downsizing assembles a talented cast in pursuit of some truly interesting ideas -- which may be enough for some audiences to forgive the final product's frustrating shortcomings.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

All those disparate elements fail to gel.

Aug 28, 2018

Full Review

Henry K. Miller

Sight & Sound

While Downsizing is not not about the end of human life on earth, it confronts the prospect with minimal sentiment, and uses it to ask questions about what the good life might consist of, here and now.

Jan 29, 2018

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

With his latest film, Alexander Payne finds himself teetering uncomfortably atop a high-concept device and wrestling with tonal clashes.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 29, 2018

Full Review

Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Strangely deviating from its own fascinating concept of small people, the second half of the film shouts bewildering environmental and political messages befitting more a climate or migration documentary.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 9, 2024

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

A smart premise is reduced to groan-inducing humor and languishing unintelligence.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

Dan Schindel

Vague Visages

Downsizing thinks it has big ideas, but artistically and intellectually, it’s as small as its protagonists.

Dec 6, 2023

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Christian W

It really missed some opportunities. Nearly no interactions with differently sized people: the same story could've been told without shrinking anyone. Squandered possibilities, following one guy's journey and he wasn't even among the most interesting people.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

VITALII H

Scientists have found the way how to reduce the level of pollution in the atmosphere and natural environments by literally shrinking the people's size. How crazy this sounds? I liked the idea of showing us what consequences it may lead to. Cause guess what? Every average person that decides to went through that "procedure" is considered a millionaire in the small people world because of the needs that can be fulfilled by spending way less than the amount of the normal sized person. The movie itself is funny, refreshing and peculiar. Just something to mix things up. "Imagine if" type of movie. Executed good enough. But it went completely 180 from what I originally thought it may end like.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/25

Full Review

Eric M

I don't understand why so many negative reviews on this one. It is far better than the reviews would suggest and definitely worth watching. It's a four maybe four and a half star IMO but giving it a five to offset the idiotic negative reviews.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/09/25

Full Review

Gabrielle M

This was an underrated movie. It is funny and poignant. Watch it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/09/25

Full Review

Dominique A

BORING. Would not recommend it

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/01/25

Full Review

Shaun R

This was entertaining until all the nonsense started setting in. Can a film go 2 hours without forcing political issues down our throats?

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

Full Review

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Alexander Payne

Director

Matt Damon

Paul

Christoph Waltz

Dusan

Kristen Wiig

Audrey

Hong Chau

Ngoc Lan

Jason Sudeikis

Dave Johnson

Downsizing: Official Clip - Human Extinction

2:00

Downsizing: Official Clip - Entering the Vault

2:13

Downsizing: Official Clip - A New Love

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Downsizing: Official Clip - You're Leaving Me Here?

2:13

Downsizing: Official Clip - A Little Advice

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Downsizing: Official Clip - I Go to Norway Too

2:02

Downsizing: Official Clip - Leisureland Presentation

2:05

Downsizing: Official Clip - 8 Kinds of F***

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Downsizing: Official Clip - Welcome to Little Norway

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Downsizing: Official Clip - The Shortening Process

2:17

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Downsizing: Trailer 2

2:25

Downsizing: Trailer 1

2:25

Downsizing: Teaser Trailer 1

0:30

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Synopsis

Mild-mannered therapist Paul Safranek and his wife, Audrey, decide to undergo a process in which scientists shrink people down to miniature size to live in small communities. The irreversible procedure allows the people to gain wealth and a life of leisure while helping to cut down on the consumption of natural resources. As Paul gets to know his new neighbors and surroundings, he soon learns that living in a tiny suburb comes with its own set of huge problems.

Director: Alexander Payne
Producer: Megan Ellison, Mark Johnson, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, Jim Burke
Screenwriter: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Ad Hominem Enterprises
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Sexual References|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 23, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.4M
Runtime: 2h 15m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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