Suburbicon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A 1950s dad tries to commit insurance fraud while the neighbors get mad about new neighbors and everyone just needs a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

🍿 Suburbicon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Arrival of the Mayers

In 1959, the idyllic suburban community of Suburbicon is shaken by the arrival of its first African-American family, the Mayers. The community’s initial polite welcome quickly turns into blatant racism and hostility, as residents voice their outrage and demand the Mayers leave. This tension becomes a simmering undercurrent throughout the film.

The Lodge Family Tragedy

Next door to the Mayers, the Lodge family, consisting of Gardner, his paraplegic wife Rose, their son Nicky, and Rose’s twin sister Margaret, seemingly live a normal suburban life. However, one night, two men break into their home, tie them up, and administer chloroform. Rose dies from an overdose of the chemical, leaving Gardner, Margaret, and Nicky to cope with the tragedy.

Unraveling Deception

Following Rose’s death, Margaret moves in to help care for Nicky. As the community’s racism intensifies against the Mayers, Nicky begins to suspect something is amiss with his father and aunt. He overhears conversations, notices odd behavior, and starts putting the pieces together, realizing the home invasion was not as random as it seemed.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon): A seemingly ordinary father who plots a sinister scheme involving insurance fraud and murder within his seemingly idyllic suburban life.
• Rose / Margaret (Julianne Moore): Twin sisters, one a disabled wife and the other her manipulative sibling, entangled in Gardner’s deceitful plan.
• Nicky Lodge (Noah Jupe): A perceptive young boy who uncovers the dark secrets and escalating violence within his family and neighborhood.
• Bud Cooper (Oscar Isaac): A sleazy insurance salesman who investigates Gardner’s claim and attempts to blackmail him, leading to deadly consequences.
• Mrs. Mayers (Karimah Westbrook): The new African-American resident facing extreme racism and prejudice from the white community.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gardner: “What do you think you know, big man? Hmm? Because I know a lot of things. That’s the case with being a grownup.” – Gardner says this to his son, Nicky, when Nicky begins to suspect something is wrong, highlighting the deceptive nature of adults in the film.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,775,178
• Worldwide Gross: $12,768,857

💥 Suburbicon Reviews

Personal Review

I had high hopes for Suburbicon, especially with the Coen brothers’ name attached. Sadly, it felt like two different movies crammed into one, neither of which fully worked. The murder plot was darkly amusing, but the racial commentary felt tacked on and superficial. Oscar Isaac’s brief appearance was a highlight, though! The ending left me feeling empty and confused, and the overall experience was disappointing. I wouldn’t recommend it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary”
  • “Those familiar with Coen brothers’ films”
  • “People who appreciate satirical storytelling”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Racism”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing content”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Suburbicon is a tonal mess. It juggles dark comedy, social commentary, and crime thriller elements without ever finding a cohesive voice. The performances are decent, but the disjointed narrative undermines any potential impact. Clooney’s direction feels heavy-handed, and the film ultimately falls flat.
• The Guardian: “Suburbicon is a film of jarring contrasts. The Coen brothers’ script offers moments of dark humor, but Clooney’s direction struggles to blend it with the film’s serious themes of racism and violence. Matt Damon delivers a strangely detached performance, and the film feels ultimately unsatisfying.
• Variety: “Suburbicon aims for a darkly satirical take on 1950s suburbia, but it misses the mark. The film’s attempts at social commentary feel forced and shallow. While the production design is impeccable, the story lacks depth and the characters are underdeveloped, leading to a disappointing viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

The dark humor sprinkled throughout kept me entertained despite the heavy themes.: Some viewers appreciated the dark humor and stylish visuals but found the story muddled.

Oscar Isaac stole every scene he was in; wish he had a bigger role!: Oscar Isaac’s performance received widespread praise as a standout element of the film.

Overall Consensus: Suburbicon is a visually appealing but tonally inconsistent film that fails to deliver on its satirical and social commentary aspirations. Mixed reviews and lukewarm audience reception indicate it’s a miss for most viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The community and its racial tension are closely based on the true events that occurred in Levittown, Pennsylvania, in 1957, when an African American couple, William and Daisy Myers, moved into the all-white suburban neighborhood.”
• “News interviews shown on TV in the film are actual citizens from the 1957 documentary ‘Crisis In Levittown, PA’.”
• “The film’s opening title is shown on a book cover describing life in the town, which becomes animated.”

🖥️ How to Watch Suburbicon?

Suburbicon is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability on cable or satellite services. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) can be purchased from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Fargo (1996): Darkly comedic crime story with ordinary people caught up in extraordinary, violent circumstances, written and directed by the Coen Brothers.
• American History X (1998): Addresses themes of racial tension and violence in a community, though with a much more serious and dramatic tone.
• Pleasantville (1998): Explores the dark underbelly of a seemingly perfect, idealized 1950s suburban community, though with a more fantastical and less violent approach.

🛒 Suburbicon Related Products

• Suburbicon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the quirky and suspenseful atmosphere of Suburbicon with Alexandre Desplat’s original score. Available as a digital download, this soundtrack captures the film’s blend of dark comedy and suburban unease. Perfect for setting a mysterious mood or immersing yourself in the 1950s setting.
• Mid-Century Modern Home Decor Set: Bring Suburbicon’s retro aesthetic into your home with a curated set of mid-century modern decor. This set includes items like a vintage-style lamp, geometric patterned throw pillows, and a classic record player replica. Perfect for creating a 1950s-inspired living space.
• Suburbicon: A Graphic Novel Adaptation: Explore the dark secrets of Suburbicon in a visually stunning graphic novel adaptation. This digital comic book brings the film’s story to life with dynamic artwork and detailed panels, offering a new way to experience the twists and turns of the plot.
• Suburbicon-Inspired T-Shirt: Show your love for the darkly comedic world of Suburbicon with a unique t-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the film. This exclusive design captures the 1950s suburban aesthetic with a touch of sinister humor, making it a standout piece for any movie fan’s wardrobe. Available in various sizes and colors.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Am I Blue?” – performed by Urbie Green Quintet
• “When I Fall in Love” – performed by The Chordettes

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Suburbicon – Movie Review

Want to know if ‘Suburbicon’ is worth your time? Jeremy Jahns gives a pretty honest and entertaining review of the movie, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. See what he thinks!

Noah Jupe interview on working on great films (Suburbicon, Holmes and Watson, Wonder), future career

Ever wonder what it’s like to work on a film like ‘Suburbicon’ as a young actor? Check out this interview with Noah Jupe where he discusses his experiences. His thoughts on the film are so insightful!

Suburbicon reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode always delivers insightful and thought-provoking film reviews. His opinion on ‘Suburbicon’ is interesting. He’s got some unique points about the movie!

✨ Rate