The Dissidents
The Dissidents

Movie spotlight

The Dissidents

2017
Movie
90 min
Estonian

In Soviet-era Estonia, three young mavericks drop everything and flee to Sweden, but soon learn the free world is not all it's cracked up to be.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users70%
Director: Alexander PayneGenres: Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

Paul Safranek, a man feeling unfulfilled with his life, undergoes a procedure to shrink himself in order to live a more luxurious and sustainable life in a new community. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he meets a mysterious woman who challenges his perspective on life and happiness.

Critical Reception

The Dissidents received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its unique premise, performances, and satirical commentary on societal issues. However, some found the film's pacing to be uneven and its message occasionally muddled.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its ambitious concept and Matt Damon's performance.

  • Applauded for its witty satire on consumerism and the pursuit of happiness.

  • Criticized by some for a lack of emotional depth and a somewhat predictable narrative.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's original idea and its thought-provoking themes. Many found it entertaining and relevant, though a segment of viewers felt it could have delved deeper into the characters' motivations.

Fun Fact

The shrinking technology in the film was achieved using a combination of forced perspective, CGI, and body doubles.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review