Alexander Payne compares Downsizing to Black Mirror in first look image

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

With the exception of ANT-MAN, I can't think of too many recent movies in which shrinking plays a large part, which is a shame, because films like THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, FANTASTIC VOYAGE, HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS, and INNERSPACE are great fun and feature some truly imaginative effects. With DOWNSIZING set for release later this year, we may have another film to add to our library of shrinking classics.

DOWNSIZING takes place in an overpopulated world where Norwegian scientists have developed a technique to shrink humans down to a mere five-inches as part of a master plan to minimize all of mankind over the course of 300 years. Those who are "downsized" are able to enjoy their new lives in "bigger" homes, consume more, and drastically reduce their effect on the environment. Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig star in DOWNSIZING as Paul and Audrey, a married couple who decide to shrink themselves, but unfortunately for Paul, Audrey backs out of the deal at the last minute, after Paul has already shrunk himself. Ruh oh. While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, DOWNSIZING director Alexander Payne described his ambitious dramedy as an episode of Black Mirror by way of Robert Altman.

The basic premise is a very delicious one, and it’s the premise that saw Jim [Taylor} and me through the many years to get this made… it’s very much like the previous movie Jim and I did, in that it takes something inherently absurd and ridiculous, but tells it with utter earnestness… kind of like what you see in Black Mirror. Some episodes of Black Mirror take a premise and run with it, but I’m not interested in the science fiction feeling; I always aspire to make a Hal Ashby or a Robert Altman movie, and the plot has a certain episodic structure.

DOWNSIZING is easily Alexander Payne's biggest project, complete with a large scope and a significant visual effects budget, but it took some time to perfect the script and, more importantly, get the proper financing in order to bring the story to life. Payne added that he was "told a couple of times, and not in my words, it’s too intelligent to justify the budget it requires." Here's a first look image from DOWNSIZING via EW.

DOWNSIZING will hit theaters on December 22, 2017.