8 Years On, Paramount+ Users Have Made An Underrated Sci-Fi Starring Matt Damon A Hit Again

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It’s the weekend, and that means it’s time for our latest Top 10 Streaming List! This week, a lesser-known sci-fi film with surprisingly deep themes has become a hit on Paramount+, attracting a lot of viewers. It’s not a masterpiece, but it has some genuinely moving moments and raises interesting questions about money and how we buy things. It’s a good option if you’re looking for something to watch.

The movie Downsizing, featuring Matt Damon, Kristin Wiig, and Christoph Waltz, tells the story of Paul Safranek (Damon), a regular guy, and his wife, Audrey (Wiig). They decide to try a radical procedure: shrinking themselves to a tiny size to live in a miniature community, hoping to reduce their impact on the environment. It’s a permanent change, but Audrey gets cold feet at the last minute, leaving Paul to navigate this new life alone. After finalizing their divorce with an oversized pen, he discovers that even a smaller life can have big problems. While Downsizing didn’t wow critics or audiences, it still has some appealing qualities.

It’s Nothing Particularly Special, But It Is Certainly Underrated

Okay, so I’ve seen Downsizing, and opinions are definitely split. Dan Schnidel from Vague Visages felt the film promised a lot with its premise but ultimately didn’t deliver, calling it small in scope despite its ambitious ideas. However, I’m leaning more with Chris Sawin from Reel Rundown, who gave it a solid 3.5 stars. He argues that while the movie gets increasingly heartbreaking as it goes on, it beautifully illustrates that empathy and what makes us human aren’t tied to physical size. It’s a long one at 135 minutes, but it really sticks with you.

In a recent interview with Variety, director Alexander Payne explained the inspiration behind his film, citing Invasion of the Body Snatchers. He was drawn to the idea of solving major global issues with a seemingly absurd solution—shrinking people. Payne argues this might actually be the most logical approach, questioning what else we can do in the face of potential disaster. He asks, if the world is heading towards crisis—and it appears to be—should we try to colonize another planet, or simply succumb to plagues, famine, and natural disasters?

Downsizing isn’t a flawless film, and it’s not even amazing. However, it touches on relevant themes, and when it’s good, it’s really good – making it worth checking out.

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2025-12-08 00:17