Thumbsucker

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Thumbsucker

R

2005

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

108 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In the strange land known as suburbia, introverted adolescent Justin (Lou Pucci) spends the majority of his life pining after his attractive classmate Rebecca (Kelli Garner) and nervously sucking his thumb when he's alone. Oddly, after receiving some New Age advice from his spacey orthodontist, Perry (Keanu Reeves) -- and a helpful dose of prescription pills -- Justin becomes the outspoken star of his school's debate club. His extroverted persona, however, causes an all-new set of problems.

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Critics Consensus

Though quirky coming-of-age themes are common in indie films, this one boasts a smart script and a great cast.

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Ken Tucker

New York Magazine/Vulture

Dec 9, 2005

Unlike so many movies in which a character changes in order to propel the plot forward, this one stops to follow up on the consequences of those changes.

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Stella Papamichael

BBC.com

Nov 1, 2005

3/5

Like Justin, Mills struggles to make his point, but even so, this is a tender portrait of teenhood.

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Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Oct 7, 2005

2.5/4

So no one would argue that Thumbsucker sucks. But the thing does seem just so indie-movie familiar.

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David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

May 7, 2020

Justin Cobb, the narrator of Walter Kirn's wildly funny novel (an amazing Lou Pucci), needs a lot of help to quit a shameful habit...

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Alberto Abuín

Espinof

Jun 28, 2019

A very loose movie, which is even capable to provoke antipathy. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Ellie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

Jun 5, 2019

3.5/4

Sublimely honest insight into the complexities of life

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 16, 2026

Thumbsucker = a *3.5* star Movie!

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Adzz S.

@aid_99 Sep 5, 2025

This movie brought back high school memories and the stress of growing up. Lou Taylor Pucci plays a teen stuck between the past and his future, while Kelli Garner’s character shifts from perfect student to rebel. Keanu Reeves and Tilda Swinton add quirky, memorable roles. It’s weird, honest, and surprisingly relatable.

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Geke g

@RT40239519 Aug 11, 2024

Very weird. But somehow i liked it

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Munkhchimeg T

@RT64187897 Aug 11, 2024

Kinda strange but i like it. May not your type of movie, but you may like it. Good movie.

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Bahad j

@RT27093708 Aug 11, 2024

The director has once again managed to make a wonderful movie with good people. I liked it very much.

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David W

@RT91245001 Jan 16, 2024

Thumbsucker features the feel and overall aesthetic of many 2000s indie films but with a level of effort that comes off as unnatural. The cast features several heavyweights and the performances from all are solid. The film may have been better served if the screenplay had leaned further into some of its themes. The story felt shallow to me despite its best efforts at creating depth. I would watch this again if there were nothing better to choose from.

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Mike Mills

Director

Lou Taylor Pucci

Justin Cobb

Tilda Swinton

Audrey Cobb

Vince Vaughn

Mr. Geary

Vincent D'Onofrio

Mike Cobb

Keanu Reeves

Perry Lyman

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Synopsis

In the strange land known as suburbia, introverted adolescent Justin (Lou Pucci) spends the majority of his life pining after his attractive classmate Rebecca (Kelli Garner) and nervously sucking his thumb when he's alone. Oddly, after receiving some New Age advice from his spacey orthodontist, Perry (Keanu Reeves) -- and a helpful dose of prescription pills -- Justin becomes the outspoken star of his school's debate club. His extroverted persona, however, causes an all-new set of problems.

Director: Mike Mills
Producer: Anthony Bregman, Bob Stephenson
Screenwriter: Mike Mills
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: This Is That Productions, Good Machine, Bull's Eye Entertainment, Keep Your Head, Scared Little Animals LLC
Rating: R (Drug/Alcohol Use|Disturbing Images|Language|Sexuality Involving Teens)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 1h 35m

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