Money Monster Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A TV finance guy, usually wearing a dollar-sign necklace, gets taken hostage by a dude who lost his life savings, and they end up exposing a corporate conspiracy because algorithms are hard, amirite?

🍿 Money Monster: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Hostage Situation Begins

Lee Gates, a flamboyant financial TV host, is in the middle of his show “Money Monster” when Kyle Budwell, a distraught investor, storms the studio. Kyle, who lost his entire life savings of $60,000 on Gates’s advice to invest in IBIS Clear Capital, holds Gates hostage at gunpoint and forces him to wear a bomb vest. He demands answers about the sudden and unexplained crash of IBIS stock, which cost investors $800 million.

Unraveling the Mystery

As the tense standoff unfolds live on television, Patty Fenn, the show’s director, works behind the scenes to keep the broadcast running while simultaneously trying to uncover the truth behind the IBIS stock crash. They contact IBIS communications officer Diane Lester, and eventually a programmer in Seoul who reveals the algorithm couldn’t have caused such a massive loss without human intervention. The team begins to suspect foul play and that the ‘glitch’ was not accidental. Lee and Patty work to investigate IBIS CEO Walt Camby.

Chasing Camby

Diane discovers that Camby didn’t go to Geneva, as claimed, but to Johannesburg. Patty and the team enlist Icelandic hackers to uncover evidence of Camby’s corrupt dealings. As Lee and Kyle move through the streets of New York, a police sniper attempts to disarm the bomb, but fails. Lee and Kyle decide to confront Camby directly. They head to Federal Hall, gathering a crowd of onlookers as they chase after the elusive CEO. The police also follow them, trying to control the situation. Lee and Kyle eventually confronts Walt Camby with the help of the police.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lee Gates (George Clooney): The flamboyant financial TV host whose life is threatened when a disgruntled investor takes him hostage on live television.
• Patty Fenn (Julia Roberts): The level-headed producer of ‘Money Monster’ who works tirelessly to keep Lee alive and uncover the truth behind the stock crash.
• Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell): The desperate investor who holds Lee hostage, seeking answers for his financial ruin caused by a bad investment tip.
• Walt Camby (Dominic West): The deceitful CEO of IBIS Clear Capital who orchestrated a corrupt scheme that led to massive financial losses for investors.
• Diane Lester (Caitríona Balfe): The Chief Communications Officer at IBIS who eventually helps uncover Camby’s corruption.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kyle: “It’s rigged! The whole damn thing is rigged!” – Kyle expresses his frustration and belief that the financial system is corrupt and unfair after losing his life savings.
• Lee Gates: “Don’t trust the algorithm!” – Lee shouts this as a warning, highlighting the dangers of blindly trusting complex financial models.
• Patty Fenn: “We’re gonna find out what happened to that money.” – Patty states her determination to uncover the truth behind the financial conspiracy, showing her dedication and resolve.
• Walt Camby: “It’s just business.” – Walt says this to justify his actions, encapsulating the callous disregard for ordinary people in high finance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $27,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $41,012,075
• Worldwide Gross: $93,282,604

💥 Money Monster Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed Money Monster. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the hostage situation kept me glued to the screen. I loved the dynamic between Clooney and Roberts. Jack O’Connell was terrific as the desperate investor. Seeing Clooney’s character evolve from a self-absorbed host to someone genuinely concerned was pretty great. The ending was a bit predictable, but it didn’t ruin the overall experience for me. I would highly recommend Money Monster to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with some social commentary.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of financial thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about corporate corruption”
  • “George Clooney and Julia Roberts fans”
  • “People who enjoy suspenseful hostage dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence”
  • “Scenes of intense tension”
  • “Brief disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• Entertainment Weekly: “Foster keeps the tension high, and Clooney delivers a charismatic performance as the smarmy host forced to confront the consequences of his words. Roberts grounds the film with her steady presence as the producer trying to keep everything from falling apart.
• Rolling Stone: “Money Monster aims to be a timely thriller with a message about corporate greed. While it doesn’t quite hit the mark, Clooney, Roberts, and O’Connell create a captivating dynamic, making the ride an enjoyable one.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Jodie Foster directs a lean, mean thriller that benefits from the star power of Clooney and Roberts. The film smartly blends social commentary with edge-of-your-seat suspense. The film is well acted but lacks focus on the evil corporations.

Audience Reactions

The high-stakes tension and unpredictable plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.: Viewers loved the film’s gripping storyline, stellar performances, and the way it tackled relevant social issues.

George Clooney’s transformation from a smarmy host to a more empathetic character was impressive.: Audience members enjoyed the cast chemistry and how the movie exposed the corruption of the financial system.

Overall Consensus: Money Monster is a suspenseful thriller that offers a timely critique of corporate greed and the media, boosted by strong performances from its leads. While some find the ending predictable, most agree the movie is engaging and thought-provoking.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Julia Roberts and George Clooney, despite being the lead actors, had limited on-set time together due to scheduling conflicts. Many of their scenes were filmed separately and later combined in post-production.”
• “The control room scenes were filmed at the CBS Broadcast Center, using a working control room with synchronized playback filling 140 monitors to create a realistic environment for Julia Roberts to interact with George Clooney’s pre-recorded segments.”
• “The ‘Money Monster’ studio set was constructed at Kauffman Astoria Studios, where scenes were shot weeks before the control room sequences.”

🖥️ How to Watch Money Monster?

Money Monster is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Check your local cable provider’s on-demand services for availability as well. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can be purchased from online retailers such as Amazon and at most major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Money Monster, you might like these similar films:

• Network (1976): Both films feature a television broadcast being hijacked to expose corruption and societal issues.
• Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Similar real-time tension of a hostage situation unfolding with the public watching and the media spotlight on the unfolding crisis.
• The Big Short (2015): Focuses on the complexities and corruption within the financial industry, although with a different narrative approach.
• Inside Man (2006): A suspenseful heist that delves into hidden agendas and power dynamics within a financial institution.

🛒 Money Monster Related Products

• Money Never Sleeps (Blu-ray): Learn more about the perils of Wall Street from a different perspective in this sequel to the original Wall Street.
• The Big Short (Blu-ray): A film that presents financial concepts in an accessible and entertaining way, like the events that led to the financial crisis.
• Capitalism Board Game: Become a tycoon and dominate the market in this strategic board game. It’s a fun way to learn about business and finance.
• Money Monster Movie Poster: This high-quality print captures the essence of this film and is perfect for fans of George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “What Makes The World Go Round? (MONEY!)” – performed by Dan The Automator featuring Del the Funky Homosapien

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Method Man’s Audition for Jodie Foster’s Money Monster Was a Disaster

Get a glimpse into the audition process of ‘Money Monster’ as Method Man hilariously recounts his less-than-successful tryout for Jodie Foster’s film. This fun and revealing clip offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of Hollywood and the challenges actors face.

✨ Rate