Big Nothing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A frustrated professor, a scammer, and a beauty queen try to blackmail a pervy priest, but end up in a wild, murderous mess that proves crime doesn’t pay… unless you’re a serial killer hitchhiking into the sunset.

🍿 Big Nothing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Scheme is Hatched

Charlie, a down-on-his-luck former professor, finds himself working at a call center and quickly gets fired. Desperate for money to support his family, he is approached by Gus, a con artist coworker with a plan to blackmail Reverend Smalls, a man known for visiting illegal porn sites. Charlie agrees, seeing it as a quick way to solve his financial problems.

The Blackmail Gone Wrong

Gus and Charlie, along with Gus’s ex-girlfriend Josie, attempt to carry out their blackmail scheme. However, things quickly spiral out of control when they arrive at the Reverend’s house. A series of unexpected events leads to the Reverend’s death, and the trio finds themselves entangled in a web of lies and cover-ups. As they try to dispose of the body, they stumble upon even more incriminating evidence suggesting the Reverend’s dark secrets. The situation intensifies with the arrival of a local deputy, further complicating their already precarious situation.

Escalating Chaos

The group’s attempts to cover their tracks lead to more deaths and increasingly bizarre circumstances. They are forced to deal with the Reverend’s wife and a corrupt special agent, further complicating their situation. The body count rises, and the characters find themselves in increasingly desperate and absurd scenarios, highlighting the film’s dark comedic tone. As they try to evade the authorities and dispose of the evidence, the trio’s relationships are tested, and their true motives are revealed. The escalating chaos culminates in a series of betrayals and unexpected twists, leading to a darkly ironic resolution.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charlie (David Schwimmer): A frustrated ex-professor with a neurological disorder who gets caught up in a blackmail scheme to provide for his family.
• Gus (Simon Pegg): An aspiring scam artist who involves Charlie in a blackmail plan that spirals out of control.
• Josie (Alice Eve): Gus’s ex and a former beauty queen who joins the scheme and has a dangerous hidden past.
• Penelope Wood (Natascha McElhone): Charlie’s wife and a police officer who unknowingly gets entangled in the unfolding crime.
• Agent Hymes (Jon Polito): A special agent who investigates the crime and has his own motivations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gus: “I happen to be a very good con man. What do you want me to do – waste it?” – Gus tries to convince Charlie to join his blackmail scheme, emphasizing his skills and justifying his actions.
• Charlie: “Don’t spend it all in one place.” – Charlie says this as a final remark before drinking poisoned whiskey, showing a mix of dark humor and resignation.
• Agent Hymes: “I’m a special agent. It’s what I do.” – Agent Hymes states this when questioned about his involvement, highlighting his ambiguous and corrupt nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $0
• Worldwide Gross: $662,081

💥 Big Nothing Reviews

Personal Review

I stumbled upon ‘Big Nothing’ late one night, and it was exactly the quirky, dark comedy I needed! The escalating chaos was hilarious, and I loved seeing David Schwimmer in a role so different from Ross. The scene with the septic tank is burned in my memory! Definitely a guilty pleasure movie that I’ll recommend to friends with a dark sense of humor. The ending was definitely a surprise and I loved it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate films with unexpected plot twists”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with a cynical and absurd sense of humor”
  • “People who like Simon Pegg and David Schwimmer’s work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Depictions of murder”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Brief depictions of explicit materials”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Darkly comic, ‘Big Nothing’ showcases a descent into chaos after a blackmail plot goes sideways. While the pacing is tight, the film’s reliance on twists can feel overwhelming. Schwimmer and Pegg make an interesting duo, but it lacks the wit of the Coen brothers. Worth a watch if you enjoy black comedies.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Simon Pegg tries to be American but cannot compete with Alice Eve who really shines! This movie provides the most memorable scenes.
• The Guardian: “‘Big Nothing’ is an erratic but entertaining crime caper. Pegg’s American accent may waver, but the film’s energy and dark humor compensate. A fun, if somewhat forgettable, ride.

Audience Reactions

Twists and turns kept me guessing!: Viewers enjoyed the unexpected plot twists and dark humor.

David Schwimmer playing against type was great!: Many appreciated seeing the comedic performance.

Overall Consensus: ‘Big Nothing’ is a darkly comedic crime caper with plenty of twists, appreciated by those who enjoy offbeat and unexpected plots.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Although set in a small town in Oregon, the film was primarily shot on the Isle of Man and in Wales. Some exterior scenes were filmed in British Columbia, Canada.”
• “Simon Pegg’s American accent in the film has been a subject of debate among viewers, with some finding it convincing and others criticizing its inconsistency.”
• “During the closing credits, an outtake shows Simon Pegg accidentally punching Billy Asher in the face. This was initially included in the credits with the message ‘No animals and no actors were harmed,’ but it was later changed to remove the reference to actors.”

🖥️ How to Watch Big Nothing?

Big Nothing is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider’s on-demand service for additional viewing options. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Big Nothing, you might like these similar films:

• Very Bad Things (1998): Features a group of friends whose bachelor party goes horribly wrong, leading to increasingly dark and comedic events, similar to the escalating chaos in Big Nothing.
• Fargo (1996): A dark crime comedy where a desperate man hires criminals to kidnap his wife, leading to unforeseen violence and mishaps, sharing the theme of a simple plan gone awry.
• Shallow Grave (1994): A dark and twisted crime film where roommates find a dead body and a suitcase full of money, leading to paranoia and betrayal, similar to the moral decay in Big Nothing.
• Seven Psychopaths (2012): This film blends dark humor with crime and eccentric characters, creating a modern equivalent in its bizarre and violent narrative.

🛒 Big Nothing Related Products

• Big Nothing [Blu-ray]: Own the dark comedy on Blu-ray and experience the twists and turns in high definition. A must-have for fans of the film.
• The Call Center Handbook: Effective Agent Techniques: Get actionable tips on improving customer service and maximizing call center efficiency. Learn from practical examples, case studies, and expert advice. Implement strategies to handle difficult customers, reduce call times, and increase customer satisfaction.
• Black Comedy Movies: The Top 100: A book containing the Top 100 dark comedies! A great gift idea for fans of ‘Big Nothing’
• Call Center Agent Throw Pillow: Decorative pillow for your sofa, desk, bed, kids room, or car. Funny saying or design. The perfect gift to show someone how special they are.

🎧 Soundtrack

Big Nothing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Blinking Lights (For Me)” – performed by Eels

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Life at a call center

Ever wondered what a day in the life of a call center employee is like, especially when Simon Pegg and David Schwimmer are involved? This hilarious clip from ‘Big Nothing’ will give you a taste – trust me, it’s way funnier than any actual call center experience!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hAjzvy94JsM

Simon Pegg (Big Nothing) interview – Sex scenes & Tom Cruise

Want to hear Simon Pegg talk about ‘Big Nothing’, sex scenes, AND Tom Cruise all in one go? This interview is a wild ride and offers some pretty funny behind-the-scenes stories – you won’t regret checking it out!

✨ Rate