Suburbicon is a 2017 American satirical black comedy film directed by George Clooney. Starring Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac, the movie critiques 1950s suburban life, hypocrisy, and racial tensions when a picture-perfect community is disrupted by a violent home invasion.
Welcome to Suburbicon, a 1950s suburb that looks perfect on the outside. But beneath the neat lawns and smiling neighbors lies a dark secret. This isn’t the happy American dream you’d expect. The 2017 film Suburbicon is a darkly comedic and unsettling story about the greed and violence hidden just below the surface. Directed by George Clooney and written by the famous Coen Brothers, this crime thriller was expected to be a sharp, funny movie.
The film also had a star-studded cast, with actors like Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac. But even with all that talent, Suburbicon received very mixed reviews. Was it a misunderstood film with a powerful message, or did it try to do too much and fail? Here at IWatchMovies Blog, we’re taking a closer look at this controversial film—one of many individual movie reviews we’ve published—to help you decide: Is Suburbicon worth watching for fans of dark humor and twisted tales?
Join us as we uncover the secrets of this unsettling suburban nightmare. We’ll explore what the movie Suburbicon is all about, dive into its unique story, and look at the real events that inspired it. We’ll also see why it became such a talked-about film. Let’s find out if this dark comedy deserves a spot on your watch list.
What is the Movie Suburbicon About?
A Glimpse into the Plot (Spoiler-Free)
What happens when the American dream goes wrong? The movie Suburbicon is a dark comedy that explores this question. The story is set in a perfect-looking 1950s town called Suburbicon, but things quickly turn ugly.
The movie focuses on the Lodge family. Matt Damon plays Gardner Lodge, a normal suburban dad. Their quiet life is turned upside down by a violent home invasion. This event destroys their peace and exposes the dark side of their perfect neighborhood.
Gardner gets caught in a web of lies, violence, and dark humor. The film mixes a crime story with sharp social commentary. It also hints at the hidden problems growing within the town. It’s a wild ride with plenty of surprises, but we won’t spoil them for you!
The Real-Life Events That Inspired the Film
The idea for Suburbicon comes from an interesting mix of fiction and real history. Part of the story is based on an unmade script by the famous Coen Brothers. You can easily see their dark humor and clever plots in the film.
But the movie is also based on a troubling time in American history. It tells a story similar to what happened in Levittown, Pennsylvania, in 1957. That year, the Myers family became the first Black family to move into the all-white town [1].
The town’s reaction was not friendly. The Myers family faced racism and hate. Mobs formed, protests broke out, and tension filled the neighborhood. Suburbicon uses this history to show the hate and hypocrisy hidden behind the town’s perfect image. The film sends a strong message against racism by mixing it into the crime story. It’s a serious reminder of past struggles, told in a unique way.
Who is in the cast of Suburbicon?
Matt Damon as Gardner Lodge
Matt Damon stars as Gardner Lodge, a man who seems like a normal suburban father. But his character soon gets caught in a web of lies and dark secrets. Damon skillfully shows Gardner’s slide into desperation. His calm appearance breaks down under all the pressure. Viewers appreciated his detailed performance in this tough role. This was not the first time Damon worked with director George Clooney. They have worked together on several other movies [2].
Julianne Moore as Rose and Margaret
The talented Julianne Moore gives an amazing performance. She plays two different characters: Rose and Margaret. Rose is Gardner’s wife, who uses a wheelchair. She is a victim in the home invasion at the start of the film. Margaret is Rose’s identical twin sister. She moves in to help the family. Moore does a brilliant job playing both complex roles. She moves easily between Rose’s weakness and Margaret’s sly and controlling side. Playing both parts shows her incredible acting skill. It shows her range as an Academy Award-winning actress [3].
Oscar Isaac as Bud Cooper
Oscar Isaac brings a lot of energy to his role as Bud Cooper. He is a sharp insurance investigator. Bud shows up without warning to look into the strange events involving the Lodge family. Isaac’s character, with his quick humor and smart insights, pushes the story forward. His performance adds dark humor and suspense to the film. Many critics praised Isaac’s powerful presence on screen. They said he stole every scene he was in, even with such a strong cast [4].
His character adds more depth to the story. When Bud Cooper arrives, the tension really builds. He forces Gardner Lodge to face his growing problems.
The Supporting Ensemble
Besides the main actors, Suburbicon has a great supporting cast. Each actor adds to the film’s unique feel. Key supporting actors include:
- Noah Jupe as Nicky Lodge: He plays Gardner’s young son, Nicky. As an innocent observer, Nicky watches the dark events happen and acts as the story’s moral compass.
- Tony Espinosa as Andy Mayers: Nicky’s best friend, Andy, brings in the side story about racial tension in the 1950s suburb.
- Glenn Fleshler as Ira Sloan: He plays one of the threatening home invaders. Sloan adds to the terror at the beginning of the film.
- Alex Hassell as Louis: He is the other scary intruder. Louis makes Gardner’s life even more difficult.
This talented group helps build the unique world of Suburbicon. Their performances also highlight the movie’s main themes. Together, the cast makes this dark comedy interesting and a must-see [5].
Why Did Suburbicon Receive Mixed Reviews?
Analyzing the Critical Reception
Suburbicon, the dark comedy directed by George Clooney, received mixed to negative reviews when it came out. Critics and audiences were divided on the film’s quality. For example, it has a low score on Rotten Tomatoes [6] and a mixed rating on Metacritic [7]. These scores show that many people disagreed about the film.
However, some parts of the film were praised. Many critics liked its visual style and cinematography. The cast also got good reviews. Actors like Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac gave strong performances. Their work was often praised even if the movie as a whole wasn’t. The film was also recognized for its ambitious themes.
But most of the criticism focused on a few key problems:
- Inconsistent Tone: Reviewers felt the mix of dark comedy, crime thriller, and social commentary was awkward. The mood often changed too suddenly.
- Disjointed Story: The plot seemed to lack focus. Critics said the two main storylines didn’t fit well together.
- Obvious Social Commentary: The movie’s message about racism in the suburbs felt too direct. It wasn’t as subtle as some viewers had hoped.
- Confused Identity: In the end, Suburbicon seemed uncertain about what kind of film it was trying to be, which left many viewers unsatisfied.
The Challenge of Merging Two Different Stories
A key reason for Suburbicon’s mixed reviews was its complex story. The movie tries to weave two separate stories together, which proved to be a major challenge. George Clooney and Grant Heslov developed the screenplay by combining an existing Coen Brothers script with a different story idea.
The first story came from an unproduced script by the Coen Brothers. It follows the Lodge family and shows them getting caught up in a dark, funny, and violent crime plot. It has the classic Coen Brothers style, with dark humor, strange situations, and unlucky characters who face serious trouble.
The second story is about an African-American family, the Mayers, who move into the all-white community of Suburbicon. Their arrival leads to intense racism and violence from their neighbors. This storyline was inspired by real-life events, specifically the racial tensions in Levittown, Pennsylvania, during the 1950s [8].
Putting these two very different stories together created a jarring shift in tone. Critics often said the storyline about racial tension felt separate from the rest of the film. At times, it overshadowed the dark humor from the Coen Brothers’ script. On the other hand, the crime story sometimes made the serious social message seem less important. This made the movie feel disconnected. The film struggled to give both storylines the depth they deserved. As a result, neither theme felt fully developed, leaving many critics and viewers feeling that Suburbicon didn’t live up to its potential.
Suburbicon where to watch
Is Suburbicon on Netflix?
No, Suburbicon is not currently on Netflix. Because streaming rights for movies change often, films frequently move between services. To watch Suburbicon, you will need to check other platforms.
Current Streaming and Rental Options
While Suburbicon isn’t on Netflix, you can still rent or buy it online. Here are some common platforms where you can find the movie:
- Amazon Prime Video: Usually available to rent or purchase for a fee [9].
- Apple TV: Rent or buy the movie through the Apple TV app (formerly iTunes).
- Google Play Movies & TV: You can rent or buy the film directly on this service.
- Vudu: Another popular option for renting or purchasing digital movies.
- YouTube Movies & TV: Find Suburbicon for rent or purchase in YouTube’s movie section.
Keep in mind that prices and availability can change depending on your location and the date. Be sure to check your favorite service for the most current information. Enjoy the film!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of the movie Suburbicon?
Suburbicon is set in a perfect-looking suburban town in the 1950s. Everything seems great, from the neat lawns to the friendly neighbors. However, this perfect image is quickly broken by a violent home invasion.
The story follows Gardner Lodge, played by Matt Damon, and his family. After the attack, their lives begin to fall apart in dark and funny ways. Lies, secrets, and desperation become normal for them. At the same time, a Black family, the Mayers, moves in next door. Their arrival shows the hidden racism and tension under the town’s perfect surface. The movie combines these two stories to show the town’s dark side. It’s a mix of crime, satire, and social commentary.
Is Suburbicon based on a true story?
Yes, but it’s a mix of fact and fiction. Suburbicon is inspired by two different stories. The main crime plot, about the Lodge family, comes from a script written by the famous Coen Brothers. This part of the story is completely made up, but it has their usual dark humor.
However, the story of the Mayers family and the community’s racist reaction is based on real events. It was inspired by the true story of the Myers family in Levittown, Pennsylvania, in 1957. When they moved into the all-white town, it caused racist protests and riots [10]. The director, George Clooney, combined these two separate stories to make a powerful point about American suburbs.
Where can I watch the Suburbicon trailer?
Want a preview of the dark and quirky world of Suburbicon? The official trailer is easy to find online. Here are the best places to look:
- YouTube: This is the most popular place for movie trailers. You can find the official trailer on the studio’s channel, like Paramount Pictures, or on other movie channels [11].
- Rotten Tomatoes: This popular movie-review site often has trailers right on the movie’s page.
- IMDb: The Internet Movie Database also has trailers and clips for most movies.
Just search for “Suburbicon trailer” on any of these sites to find it.
What year did Suburbicon come out?
Suburbicon came out in 2017. It was released in the United States on October 27, 2017 [6]. It was also shown earlier that year at the 74th Venice International Film Festival.
Sources
- https://time.com/4996963/suburbicon-true-story-levittown/
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000354/
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000556/awards/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/suburbicon-review-george-clooneys-misfire-doesnt-hit-the-target/2017/10/26/f82d2424-b6d4-11e7-9e58-e625da079d38_story.html
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/suburbicon/
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/suburbicon
- https://www.metacritic.com/movie/suburbicon/
- https://www.history.com/news/levittown-first-suburban-community-racial-discrimination
- https://www.amazon.com/Suburbicon-Matt-Damon/dp/B075S11WJ6
- https://www.history.com/news/suburbicon-true-story-levittown-race-riots
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj9F5eG-c5o
