Downsizing

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2:25

Downsizing

R

Released Dec 22, 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

Full Review

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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

Spike D

It has so much heart and ambition, and it doesn't buckle under the weight of its own imagination.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

Full Review

Steve M

Not sure what’s going on here with other reviews. This movie was unique, beautifully acted, thought provoking, funny and a condemnation of human nature, which even in a new setting manages to screw up. Best film I’ve seen in a long time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/14/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/13/25

Full Review

Audience Member

This is the second time I have watched this movie. The first time I turned it off. The second time I watched it all thecway through and fell in ove with the movie. The lady from Vietnam added to its greatness and left me feeling all sorts of emotions. There are depths of meaning and beautiful moments. For me this is a great movie. It just goes to show that sometimes beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

Full Review

Jo K

Cannot understand why people do not like this film, its a slow starter but unlike anything I have seen before, the second half is very thought invoking and very sweet. If every human watched this film the world would be a much nicer place. I would not really call it sci-fi other than the people shrinking that is it, not would I call it comedy as it is not a laugh out loud film rather amusing and feel good. Its one of those films that does not fit into a genre and is unlike anything else but will leave an impression on you. I loved it and so did my partner, it made us smile and realise how lucky we all are. Give it go you will not regret it :-)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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

1:57

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

2:13

Downsizing: Official Clip - A Little Advice

2:11

Downsizing: Official Clip - I Go to Norway Too

2:02

Downsizing: Official Clip - Leisureland Presentation

2:05

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

2:14

Downsizing: Official Clip - Welcome to Little Norway

2:14

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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