Dumb Money, directed by Craig Gillespie, is a movie inspired by the GameStop saga of 2021, featuring a star-studded cast including Paul Dano, Shailene Woodley, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, Sebastian Stan, America Ferrera, Dane DeHaan, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Vincent D’Onofrio, and more. The film simplifies the complex events of the GameStop stock situation to make it accessible to those unfamiliar with stock trading.

In early 2021, GameStop’s stock soared to historic heights, driven by the coordinated efforts of retail traders primarily using the Robinhood stock trading app. Their main goal was to challenge and outmaneuver the hedge funds that had heavily shorted the stock. This remarkable saga became a modern-day David vs. Goliath story as well as a quest for substantial profits. The catalyst for this movement was Keith Gill, also known as Roaring Kitty or Deep Fucking Value, who began sharing posts on social media, notably on the Reddit forum called Wall Street Bets. His posts highlighted why GameStop was undervalued and a promising stock pick. What began as a series of online discussions quickly evolved into a full-fledged movement that even garnered attention from the White House.

While the movie serves as a good introduction for those new to the world of stocks, it lacks the engaging storytelling and depth that could have made it more interesting. The acting is decent but not great, with Paul Dano, the central character, coming across as somewhat lackluster. The film’s attempt to simplify the narrative results in it feeling like a cheap SNL skit, but without the humor, except for a few amusing moments from Pete Davidson in his brief role.

The second half of the movie picks up the pace and becomes more engaging. Still, overall, it falls short of delivering the excitement of the real-life GameStop saga. Despite the impressive ensemble cast, the film ultimately fails to capture the energy that could have made it a thrilling depiction of a remarkable event. The multiple perspectives used to tell the story are intriguing but do not manage to convey the intensity of the moment.

Dumb Money is worth a one-time watch, but it doesn’t do justice to the captivating real-life story it draws from. It lacks the energy and depth needed in both its screenplay and acting, resulting in a movie that feels like a diluted version of The Wolf of Wall Street.