There’s something about a film that gives a giant middle finger to uber-rich, white-collar America, galvanizing the masses and uniting us. That’s precisely what you get in Dumb Money, a comedy about dreamers whose dreams were almost crushed by the corporate world, only for them to flip the script.

At my screening, people in the front metaphorically dropped their microphones. I heard audible mumblings of both displeasure and approval, witnessing the uprising led by Keith Gill and his unconventional methods.

The result is far from the kind of subject matter you’d expect Adam McKay or Bennett Miller to tackle. Instead, it’s a mainstream comedy that taps into regular citizens’ disapproval of Wall Street’s methods with often hilarious results.

Dumb Money Plot Synopsis and Review

If you remember from a couple of years ago, GameStop’s stock value skyrocketed rapidly, breaking through the ceiling like the Kool-Aid man, reaching hundreds of dollars per share. Many saw it as a sign of the apocalypse, second only to the then-current COVID-19 pandemic. How could a company specializing in physical video game media, much of it used, thrive in a world built on a digital foundation, rivaling the likes of Netflix and Amazon? Paul Dano plays Keith Gill, the man who believed in it—a money-managing advisor who went by the moniker “Roaring Kitty” and somehow sparked the GameStop short squeeze craze.

Dano excels in Dumb Money, providing a steady, endearing hand to guide the viewer to the film’s conclusion. He’s the perfect choice because Dano portrays the everyman striving to make it in this world while supporting his family. He has an infant child with his lovely wife, Caroline (Shailene Woodley), and a brother, Kevin (Pete Davidson), who frequently borrows his car to make DoorDash deliveries. The family has experienced recent hardships, with their younger sister falling victim to COVID. Their parents (played by Kate Burton and Clancy Brown) continue to mourn her loss. Some of the film’s funniest scenes involve Davidson and Dano. Dano plays the straight, amiable character, while Davidson provides comedic relief, though he rarely overshadows the film, which works to its benefit.

After Keith invests their life savings in GameStop and Woodley portrays his supportive and straightforward wife, the wealthy elite start to take notice since they had also invested in GameStop’s downfall. These are real people. Seth Rogen plays Gabe Plotkin, the founder of Melvin Capital Management, one of the highest-earning hedge fund managers at the time, dependent on the company’s downfall.

He seeks advice from heavyweights like New York Mets owner Steve Cohen (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Citadel LLC founder Kenneth Griffin (Nick Offerman). They made their fortunes off the little guy and are determined not to let those who enriched them join the fun. One of the film’s pleasures is watching Rogen squirm as he witnesses his hundreds of millions of dollars wither away while Cohen and Griffin circle like sharks, smelling blood in the water. It’s in their nature, and they refuse to accept the precedent.

The other third of the film involves guest appearances by recognizable actors with high stakes and interests in Gill’s methods. One such character is portrayed by America Ferrara, a nurse with considerable debt who remains fiercely loyal to Roaring Kitty, even though she could cash out and leave most of her problems behind. The other character is a GameStop employee played by Anthony Ramos, who constantly needles his boss (Dane DeHaan), providing a glimpse of the real risk and reward for regular people. This is crucial for a film like this because Gill’s GameStop stock grows so much that his quasi-celebrity status necessitates another character with whom the viewer can relate.

Dumb Money is an adaptation of the nonfiction book The Antisocial Network by Ben Mezrich. While I would have appreciated a more nuanced and educational approach to the film, it’s undeniable how engaging and funny the result is. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, if not outright hilarious. Directed by Craig Gillespie, working with a script from Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, the director of Lars and the Real Girl, delves into the real-world consequences of people standing in the way of the American dream.

Is Dumb Money good or bad?

However, Dumb Money does have its flaws, particularly its somewhat idealistic view of a broken system. The stock market is essentially a casino, and the house typically comes out on top, making it inherently unfair. Complaining about receiving a stacked deck and wondering why you can’t win is like asking questions after the fact.

Instead of presenting exciting factoids, the film requires viewers to wait for pre-credit archival interviews and information from real-life subjects, replacing them with zany hijinks. Nevertheless, this approach works, making the story more palatable for mainstream audiences seeking more sugar-coated real-world news.

Is Dumb Money worth watching?

Some might argue that the filmmakers oversimplified the subject matter, including Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Robinhood co-creator Vlad Tenev, who comes across as a frat boy more than the evil and conniving CEO he was. However, arguing with the result concerning the amount of laughter and heart the script generates would be a mistake.

The story is still wild and crazy while including a more visceral connection to everyone’s financial fates than expected, making Dumb Money an entertaining outing that reflects themes of today’s society, which are relatable to nearly everyone.

And again, giving a giant middle finger to those involved in the process. 

Grade: “Dumb Money is a giant middle finger comedy to the establishment that’s hilarious and empathetic.” 3.5/5 stars

What did you think of the new comedy Dumb Money? Are you planning on seeing it in theaters? Let us know in the comments below!