Kajillionaire Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A girl with a weird name gets robbed of her parents’ love by Gina Rodriguez while living in a leaky soap factory, which is, like, a metaphor or something.

🍿 Kajillionaire: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Dyne Family’s Scams

Old Dolio Dyne lives with her parents, Robert and Theresa, in a dilapidated office space next to a bubble factory. The family ekes out a living through petty scams, such as stealing mail and returning stolen goods for reward money. Robert justifies their lifestyle by claiming to avoid becoming ‘kajillionaires’ and conforming to societal norms. Their existence is precarious, constantly threatened by overdue rent and the absurdity of their daily routines.

Melanie’s Arrival

While executing a baggage claim scam, the Dynes meet Melanie, a young woman who is immediately intrigued by their lifestyle. Melanie’s bubbly personality and eagerness to participate contrast sharply with Old Dolio’s awkwardness and detachment. Melanie suggests new scams, using her connections from her job. Her inclusion changes the family dynamic, stirring feelings of jealousy and displacement in Old Dolio.

Exploring Affection and Connection

Melanie’s presence exposes the emotional neglect Old Dolio has endured her entire life. She witnesses Melanie receiving the affection and attention from Robert and Theresa that she has always craved. This leads Old Dolio to question her relationship with her parents and to yearn for genuine human connection, something she has never experienced.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood): The socially awkward and emotionally stunted daughter of con artists, raised to participate in their petty crimes.
• Robert (Richard Jenkins): Old Dolio’s controlling and paranoid father, who involves his daughter in his bizarre schemes.
• Theresa (Debra Winger): Old Dolio’s mother and Robert’s partner in crime, equally detached and unconventional.
• Melanie (Gina Rodriguez): A vibrant and affectionate outsider who joins the Dynes’ scams and disrupts their family dynamic.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Robert: “Rent is an installment.” – Robert’s justification to the landlord while constantly negotiating and delaying rent payments.
• Theresa: “When a man gives you wood, anything made of wood, he’s saying, ‘You give me wood.’” – Theresa explains a bizarre philosophy about gifts to Old Dolio, reflecting their unusual worldview.
• Old Dolio: “I want to try the pancakes.” – Old Dolio expresses a simple desire for a normal experience, signifying her yearning for something beyond her upbringing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3 million
• Domestic Gross: $531,430
• Worldwide Gross: $1,285,775

💥 Kajillionaire Reviews

Personal Review

I was totally drawn into Kajillionaire’s weird world. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before, and I loved how it explores family dynamics in such a quirky way. The scene where Old Dolio receives her first act of genuine affection was incredibly moving and stuck with me long after the movie ended. It made me think about how we express love and what it really means to connect with someone.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of quirky indie films”
  • “Viewers interested in unconventional family dynamics”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Thematic elements related to emotional neglect and dysfunctional families”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Miranda July crafts a poignant and quirky story of a dysfunctional family. Evan Rachel Wood delivers a standout performance, embodying the awkwardness and longing of Old Dolio with heartbreaking authenticity.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Though the film meanders, the performances elevate it. Richard Jenkins and Debra Winger are pitch-perfect as the utterly selfish parents. Gina Rodriguez brings a spark of genuine warmth.
• The New York Times: “Kajillionaire is a triumph of oddball cinema, a film that finds humor and heart in the most unexpected places. Miranda July’s unique vision shines through every frame.

Audience Reactions

Evan Rachel Wood’s unique voice and mannerisms were captivating and made her character unforgettable.: The film’s originality and unique storytelling were widely appreciated by viewers seeking something different.

The film’s quirky humor and heartfelt moments created a bittersweet viewing experience.: Viewers loved the film’s ability to blend comedy and drama in a way that felt authentic and emotionally resonant.

Overall Consensus: Kajillionaire is a quirky and unique film that explores themes of family, love, and identity. While its unconventional style may not appeal to everyone, those who appreciate its offbeat humor and heartfelt moments will find it a rewarding experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Evan Rachel Wood lowered her natural speaking voice for the role of Old Dolio, choosing to revert to a voice she hadn’t used since childhood.”
• “The film’s title, ‘Kajillionaire,’ is intentionally misspelled, reflecting the characters’ skewed perception of wealth and success.”
• “Miranda July has stated that the film explores themes of emotional neglect and the search for genuine human connection within unconventional family structures.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kajillionaire?

Kajillionaire is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing. For physical media collectors, the film is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kajillionaire, you might like these similar films:

• Parasite (2019): Both films explore the dynamics of a family operating outside societal norms, engaging in schemes for survival and social mobility.
• Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005): Directed by Miranda July, this film shares her unique quirky storytelling style and focus on unconventional relationships.
• The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): Features a dysfunctional family with eccentric members and a darkly comedic tone.
• Bottle Rocket (1996): Focuses on a group of friends involved in small-time crime with a light-hearted, quirky tone and a focus on character dynamics rather than grand heists.

🛒 Kajillionaire Related Products

• Kajillionaire [Blu-ray]: Own a piece of cinematic oddity with the Blu-ray edition, featuring behind-the-scenes content and director commentary.
• Miranda July: Novels, Stories and Films: Explore the complete collection of Miranda July’s work, including her novels, short stories, and other films, for a deeper dive into her artistic vision.
• Ocean’s Eleven [Blu-ray]: Add a classic heist movie Ocean’s Eleven into your collection
• Vintage Tracksuit: Dress in a vintage tracksuit to imitate Old Dolio’s odd ball personality

🎧 Soundtrack

Kajillionaire features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mr. Lonely” – performed by Bobby Vinton
• “Kajillionaire Score” – performed by Emile Mosseri

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Team Riley for Life | The BEST Movies of 2020

This reviewer ranked Kajillionaire as the *best* movie of 2020! Check out the video to find out why it earned the top spot; I’m always curious about what makes a film truly stand out.

Evan Rachel Wood on Overcoming Her Denial of Being a Victim of Abuse

Learn more about Evan Rachel Wood in this interview on The Drew Barrymore Show. She talks about her struggles with abuse, it’s really brave and a great way to appreciate the actor behind the movie.

✨ Rate