Suburbicon

Set in the year 1959, the story unfolds in the charming town of Suburbicon, which was founded in 1947 and has become a desirable destination for many families seeking an idyllic lifestyle. The atmosphere is initially serene as Mailman Henry (Steve Monroe) cheerfully greets various townsfolk during his rounds. However, tension rises when he encounters the Mayers family, who are the town’s first African-American residents. When he meets Mrs. Mayers (Karimah Westbrook), Henry awkwardly attempts to avoid delivering her mail, revealing the underlying racism that permeates the community as other residents react with disdain to the Mayers’ presence.

A heated town meeting erupts, dominated by angry white men demanding the Mayers be expelled from Suburbicon, escalating the racial tensions. Among the neighbors are the twins Rose and Margaret Lodge, both portrayed by Julianne Moore. Rose encourages her son Nicky (Noah Jupe) to befriend the Mayers’ son Andrew but, after an unsettling turn of events, Nicky discovers his father Gardner (Matt Damon) in a compromising situation with two robbers, Louis ([Alex Hassell]) and Ira Sloan (Glenn Fleshler), who hold them hostage.

After a traumatic incident where Nicky wakes up in a hospital to find his mother struggling for her life due to an overdose, the film transitions to Rose’s funeral. The townspeople, expressing false sympathy toward Gardner, Margaret, and Nicky while insinuating the Mayers were involved in the tragedy, only serves to increase the sense of isolation felt by the family.

Nicky, trying to protect himself, fortifies his room and overhears a startling discovery—his father and aunt engaging in inappropriate behavior, adding layers of complexity to their already fragile family dynamic. Meanwhile, as Gardner grapples with increasingly shady dealings concerning insurance claims post-Rose’s death, pressure mounts as he interacts with sleazy insurance salesman Bud Cooper (Oscar Isaac).

The hostility from the townsfolk culminates in a violent uproar, as they gather to threaten and intimidate the Mayers, leading to a riot that results in utter chaos. Gardner becomes entangled in a desperate struggle wherein he must deal with escalating threats from the mob and the looming blackmail from Cooper, which drives him to extreme measures of self-preservation.

As the plot spirals further into darkness, including shocking betrayals and double-crossings within the family dynamic, Nicky emerges as a bystander caught in the chaotic entanglement of greed and betrayal. A series of tragic events unfolds, peppered with moments of twisted humor and bleak irony, culminating in an explosive conclusion.

When the dust settles, with the Mayers continuing to bear the brunt of the community’s racist vitriol, Nicky finds a sliver of solace as he steps outside to reclaim a fleeting moment of childhood—catching a ball with Andrew, signifying a brief escape from the grim reality surrounding them. The haunting backdrop serves as a chilling reminder of the true nature of humanity within the quaint facade of Suburbicon.

Last Updated: November 02, 2024 at 13:13