The Toronto Film Festival received a positive response to the premiere of the film “Dumb Money”. The audience at Toronto’s Roy Thompson Hall laughed and clapped enthusiastically at the screening of the new comedy, directed by Craig Gillespie (“I, Tonya” and “Cruella”). The film tells the story of the 2021 GameStop stock squeeze.
In “Dumb Money,” Paul Dano stars as Keith Gill, a real-life YouTuber who challenged billionaire hedge fund managers and emerged victorious. Alongside Dano, Pete Davidson plays Keith’s brother and Shailene Woodley portrays his wife. Seth Rogen takes on the role of Gabe Plotkin, the founder of Melvin Capital and one of the major losers in the GameStop squeeze. The film also features America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, and Sebastian Stan.
Unfortunately, the actors could not attend the premiere due to the ongoing strike. Sony, the company responsible for distributing “Dumb Money” in the U.S., is among the struck companies. However, the director, Craig Gillespie, took the stage at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) alongside Aaron Ryder from Ryder Pictures Company and Teddy Schwarzman from Black Bear Pictures, the producers of “Dumb Money.” The co-writers of the screenplay, Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, who adapted the script from Ben Mezrich’s non-fiction book “The Antisocial Network,” were also present but only in their roles as executive producers. Ben Mezrich, the author of the book, attended the premiere as well.
During the event, Schuker Blum and Angelo expressed their support for the writers union and the striking workers, stating that “Dumb Money” exposes how Wall Street is rigged, and they believe Hollywood is also rigged. This statement showed solidarity with the ongoing strike and highlighted the underlying message of the film.
Sony plans to release “Dumb Money” on a limited scale on September 22, with a wider release scheduled for September 29. The film’s trailer was also unveiled during the festival, offering a glimpse into the comedic and high-stakes world of the GameStop stock saga.
The positive reception at the Toronto Film Festival underscores the appeal of “Dumb Money” to audiences who are intrigued by the real-life events that unfolded during the GameStop stock squeeze. The film promises a blend of comedy and financial intrigue, with the talented cast embodying the characters involved in this high-profile story.
“Dumb Money” shines a light on the potential corruption and manipulation that occurs in both Wall Street and Hollywood. It serves as a reminder that power imbalances exist in multiple industries, and the film explores how everyday individuals can level the playing field against powerful institutions.
By premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, “Dumb Money” has generated buzz and anticipation among audiences. The positive response from the festival attendees suggests that the film could resonate with a wide range of viewers and become a critical and commercial success.
As audiences eagerly await the release of “Dumb Money,” they can watch the trailer to get a taste of the humor and excitement that the film promises. The combination of a captivating story, compelling performances, and sharp writing makes “Dumb Money” a film worth watching. Whether viewers are interested in the GameStop stock squeeze or simply enjoy a well-made comedy, this film has the potential to entertain and engage.