Spread Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hot guy who is basically a fancy freeloader dates older women until he meets a girl who is just as bad, so he decides to become a responsible adult and works at a grocery store.

🍿 Spread: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Nikki’s Lifestyle: A Gigolo in LA

Nikki, played by Ashton Kutcher, lives a carefree life in Los Angeles, exploiting his good looks to charm wealthy older women. He has no job, no car, and relies entirely on these relationships for his lavish lifestyle. The film opens showcasing his calculated methods and nonchalant attitude towards his lifestyle.

Samantha: A New Benefactor

Nikki meets Samantha (Anne Heche), a successful lawyer, and quickly moves into her luxurious Hollywood Hills home. The film delves into their dynamic, revealing Samantha’s vulnerabilities and Nikki’s manipulation. While living with Samantha, Nikki continues his womanizing ways, showcasing his lack of commitment and the superficiality of his relationships.

Heather: A Change of Pace

Nikki’s life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Heather (Margarita Levieva), a waitress who doesn’t fall for his usual charms. This encounter sparks a change in Nikki, challenging his perception of relationships and forcing him to confront his own shallowness. He becomes infatuated with Heather, leading to a shift in the film’s tone.

Consequences and Downfall

Nikki’s actions eventually catch up with him as his relationship with Samantha crumbles and his pursuit of Heather leads to heartbreak. He loses his comfortable lifestyle and finds himself struggling to make ends meet. This marks a significant turning point, forcing him to confront the consequences of his choices.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nikki (Ashton Kutcher): Nikki is a narcissistic gigolo in Los Angeles who drifts from wealthy woman to wealthy woman, using his looks to get by.
• Samantha (Anne Heche): Samantha is a successful attorney who becomes Nikki’s sugar mama, but struggles with his infidelity and inability to commit.
• Heather (Margarita Levieva): Heather is a waitress who turns out to be a female version of Nikki, scamming rich men and ultimately breaking Nikki’s heart.
• Harry (Sebastian Stan): Harry is Nikki’s friend who provides a place for Nikki to stay, but eventually grows tired of his parasitic lifestyle.
• Eva (Ashley Johnson): Eva is Heather’s stoner roommate, and acts as a voice of reason, urging Nikki to follow Heather.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nikki: “When a girl tells you you’re not getting any, before you ask, before you even try, you’re getting some.” – Nikki’s mantra, reflecting his cynical view on relationships and his confidence in his ‘game’.
• Nikki: “I don’t want to be arrogant, but I’m an incredibly attractive man.” – Nikki’s opening line establishes his narcissistic personality and reliance on his looks.
• Nikki: “30,000 people come to Los Angeles every month to make it big, I just want to make it easy.” – Highlights Nikki’s ambition for an easy life in LA, contrasted with the struggles of others.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $250,618
• Worldwide Gross: $12,035,862

💥 Spread Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a shallow rom-com, but I was pleasantly surprised. Ashton Kutcher does a decent job portraying a character who is both charming and flawed. I enjoyed seeing the contrast between Nikki’s superficial lifestyle and his gradual realization that there’s more to life than easy money and casual sex. The ending isn’t a fairytale, which makes it feel more real and relatable.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in dramas exploring themes of wealth, relationships, and personal transformation.”
  • “Fans of Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche.”
  • “Those who appreciate films set in the backdrop of Los Angeles high society.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic sexual content”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Spread is a movie where Ashton Kutcher explores the life of a serial womanizer. Despite plenty of skin, the film teaches a message about how finding love is tough. The chemistry between Kutcher and Heche is strong. The plot is interesting as it shows how a young man evolves from lust to wanting love.
• IMDB: “The story follows Nikki, a young, attractive man sleeping his way to privilege. A love for a waiter makes him change. The film is often misinterpreted as a romantic comedy but the film ends with a sad tone which makes it better. The indie soundtrack is quite interesting and a good performance from Kutcher.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Spread has all the hallmarks of a smut film – poor writing, explicit portrayals of sex, weak character development, rubbish acting – all set in a male utopia where literally any woman will have sex with you.

Audience Reactions

Many were surprised by the good job the actors did with serious roles.: Viewers generally appreciated the movie being ‘different’ and not predictable.

Overall Consensus: While some found it trashy and pointless, others appreciated the film’s realism and Ashton Kutcher’s surprisingly good performance in a more serious role.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director David Mackenzie is Scottish, known for indie dramas like ‘Young Adam,’ which is a departure from typical Ashton Kutcher films.”
• “The party scene introducing Anne Heche’s character is a single, uninterrupted take lasting over three and a half minutes, showcasing complex choreography.”
• “The ending credits feature a toad slowly digesting a mouse, a dark and symbolic visual metaphor for the film’s themes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Spread?

Spread can be streamed for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability as offerings may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Alfie (2004): Both films explore the life of a charismatic womanizer and the consequences of their lifestyle.
• American Gigolo (1980): Explores the life of a male escort and the complexities of relationships built on transactional sex.
• Priceless (Hors de prix) (2006): A French film with a similar plot about people who live off wealthy patrons and the shifting dynamics of their relationships.
• Shampoo (1975): A period piece about a charming hairdresser in Beverly Hills, who sleeps with various women and has the 70’s fashion.

🛒 Spread Related Products

• Ashton Kutcher Signed ‘Spread’ Movie Poster: A rare, signed movie poster featuring Ashton Kutcher, perfect for collectors and fans of the film.
• Los Angeles Travel Guide: Explore the glamorous locations of Los Angeles featured in the film with this detailed travel guide.
• ‘Spread’ Movie Soundtrack (Digital Download): Download the official soundtrack of ‘Spread’ and enjoy the indie tunes featured in the film.
• Nikki’s Style Guide: Men’s Fashion: Emulate Nikki’s wardrobe from ‘Spread’, using a style guide to suspenders and flashy clothing.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “This Ship Was Built to Last” – performed by The Duke Spirit

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

🤨 FAQ

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