Extract

Extract

Year: 2009

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Mike Judge

Budget: $8M

ComedyRomanceCrime

A businessman's attempt to have an affair spirals into a chaotic situation when his wife's attention drifts and a manipulative woman enters the picture. His desperate actions trigger a chain of events, leading to devastating consequences. He finds himself caught in a tangled web of deceit and must fight to protect his world from being completely destroyed.

Extract (2009) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Extract (2009) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the humming industrial suburb of a mid‑west town, Joel runs a struggling extract company while juggling a marriage that feels increasingly hollow. His days are a tightrope of meeting production quotas, placating restless employees, and answering the quiet alarm of a relationship that has lost its spark. The film opens with that familiar, uncomfortable hum of a man trying to keep both his professional empire and personal life from cracking under the weight of unspoken expectations.

When Suzie, his wife, begins to drift away, the quiet desperation that has been simmering beneath the surface finds a catalyst in the form of Cindy, a charismatic stranger whose entrance into Joel’s world threatens to upset the fragile balance he’s clinging to. Alongside them hover Dean, Joel’s long‑time friend who offers uneasy counsel, Step, a boastful coworker whose ego adds a volatile edge to the factory floor, and Nathan, the well‑meaning neighbor whose good intentions often land in awkward territory. Their interactions pulse with a blend of dry wit and underlying tension, setting the stage for a comedy that leans into the absurdity of ordinary lives spiraling out of control.

The tone is equal parts darkly comic and poignantly observant, sketching a picture of modern adulthood where ambition, loyalty, and desire collide in a claustrophobic work environment and a home that feels more like a pressure cooker. As the characters weave through their intersecting motives and insecurities, the film hints at a cascade of consequences that could upend everything Joel has built. It’s a story that asks how far a man will go to protect the world he’s created when the very foundations begin to tremble, all while keeping the audience laughing at the uncomfortable truths that surface along the way.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 08:47

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Workplace and Domestic Farce Movies Like Extract

A cascade of bad decisions turns professional and personal lives into absurd chaos.If you enjoyed the comedic chaos in Extract, you'll like these movies about tangled lies and escalating mishaps. Discover similar comedies where personal schemes collide with professional life, leading to awkward and humorous situations. Find films with a light tone and steady pacing that explore the funny side of midlife crises and poor choices.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist, often a well-meaning but flawed everyperson, who makes a single questionable choice. This initial misstep sets off a chain reaction of misunderstandings, deceptions, and coincidences that entangle their career, relationships, and sanity, requiring them to frantically manage the fallout for a resolution that is rarely clean but often satisfyingly messy.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared foundation in farcical structures, blending workplace settings with domestic dilemmas. They maintain a light, humorous tone despite the serious-sounding subject matter, and feature a steady pace that allows the comedic complications to build naturally without becoming overly frantic or dark.

Lighthearted Midlife Muddle Movies Similar to Extract

Where personal dissatisfaction meets humorous misadventures and messy introspection.Looking for more movies like Extract? This list features comedies about midlife crises handled with humor. Explore stories of businessmen and everyday people whose attempts to escape routine lead to comedic turmoil and self-reflection. These films share a steady pace, mixed endings, and a focus on the awkward, funny side of growing older.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist feeling trapped by their comfortable but unexciting life. A desire for change or excitement leads them into a series of misadventures—often involving infidelity, get-rich-quick schemes, or new friendships—that force a humorous yet genuine reassessment of their priorities, culminating in a mixed but realistic resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their focus on the midlife experience portrayed with comedy rather than drama. They share a specific vibe: a steady pacing that allows for character-based humor, a light emotional tone that avoids heaviness, and a mixed ending feel that reflects the nuanced reality of their characters' situations.

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Don't stop at just watching — explore Extract in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Extract is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Extract Summary

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Extract Summary

Extract Timeline

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Extract Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Extract

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Extract

More About Extract

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