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Suburbicon

Suburbicon

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2017105 minRMidcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Director
George Clooney
Starring
Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Noah Jupe, Oscar Isaac

In the quiet family town of Suburbicon during the 1950s, the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and murder.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Suburbicon?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Suburbicon streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Suburbicon?

Suburbicon earns 7 badges, led by Award Winner and Box Office Flop.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Suburbicon worth watching?

Suburbicon's Midcredits score is the 27th percentile of all films, from 104K ratings across 6 sources. 34% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

27th percentile

Better received than 27% of films

29th percentile among Comedy28th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)27th
Approval (how many liked it)29th

54 /100

27th percentile of all films

29th percentile among Comedy29th percentile among 2010s

Critics 42 · Audience 56

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.7 — solid but not unanimous.

34% liked it

29th percentile of all films

30th percentile among Comedy28th percentile among 2010s
34% rated it 7–1066% rated it 1–6

Critics 27% · Audience 26%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 7 noms overall

95th percentile

104K ratings across platforms

95th percentile among Comedy95th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$25M
Opening weekend$2.8M
Domestic gross$5.8M
Worldwide gross$13M

Returned 0.5× its budget — 76th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a dark satire of 1950s suburbia that tries to blend a crime thriller with a racial commentary, but its two storylines never fully cohere.

Fans praised

  • Coen-esque dark humor and clever script
  • Period-accurate 1950s production design and atmosphere
  • Strong child performance by Noah Jupe as Nicky

Detractors panned

  • Tonally muddled mess that can't decide if it's comedy or drama
  • Racial subplot feels tacked-on, underdeveloped, and disconnected from main story
  • George Clooney's direction lacks the Coens' touch, resulting in flat execution

What stands out

Cinematography75

Beautifully captures 1950s aesthetic with crisp, colorful visuals

Acting70

Noah Jupe praised as standout; Damon and Moore competent but underused; Oscar Isaac scene-stealing cameo

DialogueDivisive55

Coen-esque wit present but feels forced and uneven in delivery

PacingDivisive40

Starts slow, drags in middle, rushed ending with tonal whiplash

Plot and storyDivisive35

Predictable insurance scam plot; two storylines never meaningfully connect

HumorDivisive35

Dark comedy mostly falls flat; few genuine laughs, awkward tonal mix

Characters30

Thinly written stereotypes, black family given no depth, unsympathetic leads

Originality30

Derivative of Coen brothers' earlier work, particularly Fargo; feels recycled

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 10 points higher than users.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 17 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Suburbicon like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense and leaves you unsettled. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention and room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseDreadCold
Heaviest: late
Dark humor
Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film presents its dark crime plot and racial satire with a detached, wry amusement, undercutting the violence with absurdist humor.
The rideThe mood grows increasingly tense and nasty, with the heaviest violence and emotional weight concentrated in the final act.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the home invasion to Gardner's downfall.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Unsettled.

The answer rests on this: UnsettlingInfuriating · 4% of films: Leaves you angry at an injustice the film shows, never at the film.
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's juxtaposition of comedic crime and genuine racial hatred leaves a lingering unease and anger.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% (this title) · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Corruption arc: Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).

9% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeGardner Lodge's scheme to defraud insurance after his wife's death spirals into murder and moral decay, set against satirical racism in 1950s suburbia.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfDeception
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% (this title) · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% (this title) · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Deception · 9% of filmsGreed · 3% of filmsPrejudice · 3% of films
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe story is driven by lies and schemes (the robbery and insurance fraud) while the town's racism forms a parallel thread of hostility.
StanceThe film satirizes both the suburban dream and the cynicism and greed underneath, using the parallel racists mob as a grotesque backdrop.

The world

Mid 20th centurySuburbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score
Settinga seemingly idyllic 1959 American suburb

Content guide

Is Suburbicon okay for kids?

R

Suburbicon is rated R: “Rated R for violence, language and some sexuality” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (79/100), sexual content at moderate (36/100), language at intense (61/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (32/100) and frightening material at intense (63/100). Overall it is heavier than 43% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 18 other countries
  • UK15
  • CanadaR
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland15
  • JapanG
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil16
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary16
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-16
  • Netherlands16
  • PortugalM/16
  • Russia18+
  • Spain16
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 66% of all filmsHeavier than 43% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 63%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 31%
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 39%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 23%
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 51%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence, frightening material, and language. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Suburbicon have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Suburbicon?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; Julianne Moore won the Venice for this film.

Matt Damon
as Gardner
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Julianne Moore
as Rose
Venice win: Venice award — for this roleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Noah Jupe
as Nicky
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Oscar Isaac
as Bud Cooper
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Landon Gordon
as Kid on Bike
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Glenn Fleshler
as Sloan
Alex Hassell
as Louis
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Karimah Westbrook
as Mrs. Mayers
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Tony Espinosa
as Andy Mayers
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Gary Basaraba
as Mitch

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Suburbicon?

Movies like Suburbicon include I Care a Lot (2020), Lord of War (2005) and Fargo (1996). Of the 9 closest matches, two are films written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, and most are corruption arc stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Suburbicon?

997 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: con artist. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.