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Thumbsucker

Play trailer Poster for Thumbsucker R 2005 1h 35m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 115 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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Thumbsucker

Thumbsucker

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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... Go to Full Review Alberto Abuín Espinof Jun 28, 2019
A very loose movie, which is even capable to provoke antipathy. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Ellie Lucas The Dispatch (Lexington, NC) Jun 5, 2019
3.5/4
Sublimely honest insight into the complexities of life Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 16, 2026 Thumbsucker = a *3.5* star Movie! See more 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. See more Geke g @RT40239519 Aug 11, 2024 Very weird. But somehow i liked it See more 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. See more 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. See more 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. See more Read all reviews
Thumbsucker

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Cast & Crew

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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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Thumbsucker

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Movie Info

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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