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The Chumscrubber

Play trailer Poster for The Chumscrubber R 2005 1h 47m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
37% Tomatometer 59 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
After a friend who sells prescription medication is killed, Dean (Jamie Bell) is confronted by Billy (Justin Chatwin), the high-school drug dealer, who demands he hand over the remaining stash. Dean refuses, causing Billy and his partner to plot to kidnap his younger brother, Charlie (Rory Culkin). However, unaware of what Charlie looks like, they accidentally abduct another boy. When neither parents nor law enforcement believes his story, Dean is forced to go on a rescue mission.
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The Chumscrubber

The Chumscrubber

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Critics Consensus

This derivative poke at suburbia falls short of delivering a scathing indictment of upper middle-class disconnect.

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Critics Reviews

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James Christopher The Times (UK) Jun 8, 2007
3/5
It's a surreal, offbeat comedy where the kidnappers are hopelessly inept while Bell feels hopelessly at sea. Go to Full Review Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Jun 8, 2007
2/5
Despite the top-drawer cast assembled for his debut feature, the director Arie Posin's account of emotional dislocation in the 'burbs is stymied by a fatally uneven tone and a growing suspicion that we've been down this road many, many times before. Go to Full Review Olly Richards Empire Magazine Jun 8, 2007
2/5
A tragic waste of acting talent, with nothing new to say. Can we please now politely close the door on middle-class repression before we get really angry? Go to Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Apr 29, 2009
Whether the good performances, or sheer twisted attitude it presents to the same old formula, I enjoyed it, and the story. Go to Full Review Matthew Turner ViewLondon Jun 19, 2007
2/5
Film4 Staff Film4 Jun 8, 2007
2/5
A strong cast promises great things, but The Chumscrubber loses itself on the way to its indie aspirations. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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G E @G.Elle Dec 27, 2025 The themes explored are brilliantly set up and shown throughout. Shame it wasn't fully understood and many critics totally missed the point of the film which is amongst other thing a shot at hypocrisy, suburbia and the ignorance of community to portray a false "perfect" image. Absolutely ahead of it's time. Discovered this film when searching through the DVD section at my towns thrift store. I had never heard of it nor knew what the themes were beforehand. I was pleasently surprised as it made a lasting impression on me, coming from a small town where people would much rather ignore controversy and look the other way than face the truth, leading to bigger problems. Thank you for this film, will definitely keep it See more Michael C @Crowley Jun 16, 2025 To this day, I still don't know what this movie is. All I know is it leaves a lasting impression. I can't say whether it's good or not. My rating is based purely on the fact that in my 30 years of life I've only seen two movies that took my on a complete and total ride I couldn't prepare for. The other is the book of Henry for those interested. All I know is this movie is distinctly different from anything I've ever watched and it's earned my praise for its absurdity. See more Karissa Bo Bissa T @RT39652924 Apr 17, 2025 A sleeper from the mid 2000's with a banger of a soundtrack and ensemble cast you'd be shocked to see nowadays. Really leans in to the cheap almost Disney-fied facade of that outer-Los Angeles suburban life. Such a satisfying ending too. Even bought it on DVD! See more Doubleboy T @Kalax Aug 30, 2024 Great movie. Alot of life lessons in it. So many unique and different things happening at once. Good characters. See more mark g @Mark_Alan_G. Jan 9, 2024 Tedious, just tedious. Poor character development and numerous scenes are just simplistic and nonsensical. Wanted to like it, but realized the whole plot was on idle. See more PanProduction T @ChunPan9 Dec 24, 2022 In this movie, you can gain an understanding of what led to the massacre at Columbine High school in Colorado, 1999. See more Read all reviews
The Chumscrubber

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Cast & Crew

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Arie Posin

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Michael Ebbs

Jamie Bell

Dean Stiffle

Carrie-Anne Moss

Jerri Falls

Rita Wilson

Terri Bratley

Glenn Close

Mrs. Johnson

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The Chumscrubber

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The Chumscrubber

The Chumscrubber (2005) Group of Kids in The Chumscrubber. A Newmarket Films release. Photo courtesy Sam Urdank. Camilla Belle and Justin Chatwin in The Chumscrubber. A Newmarket Films release. Photo courtesy Sam Urdank. Glenn Close in The Chumscrubber. A Newmarket Films release. Photo courtesy Richard Foreman. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After a friend who sells prescription medication is killed, Dean (Jamie Bell) is confronted by Billy (Justin Chatwin), the high-school drug dealer, who demands he hand over the remaining stash. Dean refuses, causing Billy and his partner to plot to kidnap his younger brother, Charlie (Rory Culkin). However, unaware of what Charlie looks like, they accidentally abduct another boy. When neither parents nor law enforcement believes his story, Dean is forced to go on a rescue mission.
Director
Arie Posin
Producer
Lawrence Bender, Bonnie Curtis
Screenwriter
Zac Stanford
Distributor
Picturehouse, Newmark Films Inc.
Production Co
El Camino Pictures
Rating
R (Some Sexuality|Language|Drug Material|Violent Content)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$49.5K
Runtime
1h 47m
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