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The Thinning

  • 2016
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Peyton List and Logan Paul in The Thinning (2016)
"The Thinning" takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where population control is dictated by a high-school aptitude test. When two students (Logan Paul and Peyton List) discover the test is smoke and mirrors hiding a larger conspiracy, they must fight the system to expose it and take it down.
Play trailer2:18
2 Videos
36 Photos
Dystopian Sci-FiActionDramaHorrorSci-FiThriller

In a future, overcrowded, dystopian society, students with the lowest test scores are culled. Two students discover errors with the test.In a future, overcrowded, dystopian society, students with the lowest test scores are culled. Two students discover errors with the test.In a future, overcrowded, dystopian society, students with the lowest test scores are culled. Two students discover errors with the test.

  • Director
    • Michael J. Gallagher
  • Writers
    • Michael J. Gallagher
    • Steve Greene
  • Stars
    • Logan Paul
    • Peyton List
    • Lia Marie Johnson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.3/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael J. Gallagher
    • Writers
      • Michael J. Gallagher
      • Steve Greene
    • Stars
      • Logan Paul
      • Peyton List
      • Lia Marie Johnson
    • 116User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:18
    Official Trailer
    Clip
    Clip 1:28
    Clip
    Clip
    Clip 1:28
    Clip

    Photos35

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    + 30
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    Top cast47

    Edit
    Logan Paul
    Logan Paul
    • Blake Redding
    Peyton List
    Peyton List
    • Laina Michaels
    Lia Marie Johnson
    Lia Marie Johnson
    • Ellie Harper
    Calum Worthy
    Calum Worthy
    • Kellan Woods
    Ryan Whitney
    Ryan Whitney
    • Sarah Foster
    • (as Ryan Newman)
    Michael Traynor
    Michael Traynor
    • Mason King
    Stacey Dash
    Stacey Dash
    • Kendra Birch
    Matthew Glave
    Matthew Glave
    • Gov. Dean Redding
    Robert Gant
    Robert Gant
    • Vince Davi
    Kiersten Warren
    Kiersten Warren
    • Barbara Michaels
    Jana Gallagher
    Jana Gallagher
    • Ms. Cole
    • (as Jana Winternitz)
    Patrick O'Sullivan
    Patrick O'Sullivan
    • Mr. Glass
    Amy Paffrath
    Amy Paffrath
    • Wendy Banks
    Jeff Corbett
    Jeff Corbett
    • Victor Woods
    Laura Harring
    Laura Harring
    • Georgina Preston
    Aria Lyric Leabu
    Aria Lyric Leabu
    • Corrine Michaels
    • (as Aria Leabu)
    Marcel Nahapetian
    Marcel Nahapetian
    • Joey Michaels
    David A. Cooper
    David A. Cooper
    • Ted Grover
    • Director
      • Michael J. Gallagher
    • Writers
      • Michael J. Gallagher
      • Steve Greene
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews116

    5.310.9K
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    Featured reviews

    6samontepsamuel

    Wasn't bad!!

    The movie called "The Thinning" is held in the future where pretty much in layman terms, if you're dumb, you die. The government gives yearly annual tests to kids from kindergarten to 12th grade that determines and predicates the propensity of a students intellect, and if you fail that test, you're taken to the thinning where subsequently, you die.

    So, I went in watching this movie on Youtube Red with no expectations. What I got was a pretty enjoyable dystopian movie, that had an okay plot, surprisingly good acting, some awkward direction, but overall wasn't too bad! One thing I was mostly surprised about was one of the main leads of the movie, Logan Paul! I follow his vlogs on YouTube, and he was the only reason I decided to watch this movie (so sorry if I'm totally bias about this movie), because I was really curious on what his acting chops were like, and he really surprised me!! His variety of emotions were fluid, and didn't feel stiff at all. He was the best character in the movie in my opinion. But other then him, I have to say he was the only reason I give this movie a 6/10. The direction, plot, and writing was simplistic which made the movie too predictable and stale. It wasn't anything special, and it had no surprises or twists.

    But overall, I think anyone can enjoy this movie for what it is. It's nothing special. You'll probably enjoy it a lot more if you actually know the actors from YouTube!
    2jayadore

    Flawed plot, bad acting and loose ends.

    How? How can a plot have that many holes in it?! Not only that, but the amount of dead weight within the plot that either lead to nothing in particular or provided no depth to the overall arch of the story line and just flopped. The acting was cringe worthy at best and although it's an interesting idea, the whole YouTube starts a production company thing, if you're going to do it YouTube, please, do it right. Giving YouTube or in this case Vine stars a platform to fulfill their 5 second dream of being an actor might initially bring viewers but I can guarantee it'll be short lived. Nothing and I do mean nothing that I've watched off Red seems to have a hint of intelligent thought in it, and this was no exception.
    6JoelChamp85

    Not A Bad Idea

    The culling of dumb people. Seems like a good idea, unfortunately I'd probably be culled along with them lol. The film itself turned out pretty good. I think people should be judged by their social media comments instead and get rid of the a-holes of the world.
    2persia-25969

    So gutted...............

    I couldn't believe what I watched. What did I watch? No, really what was this tripe? I seriously do NOT know.A "B" Movie of the lowest standard. To see the 7+ Score was convincing enough for me to watch this soppy nonsense and to be honest I have a very,very small IQ and even this was in overdrive melt down trying to understand who,why and for what reason they made this excuse of a movie? Now I'm not doubting that a good few reviewers enjoyed the movie,which is their right if they found it entertaining but,me.for one would like to tell any prospective viewer who expects a decent hour and twenty minute ride of excitement or even a decent story line is,they would have more fun munching on loft insulation!The film is set on the USA's way to cull the population in a post apocalyptic world,sadly the film would have had been more fun and more meaningful set now,current day,where the Americans tackle the major problem of obesity by Thinning out the population!!
    7matt-levett

    Bill Gates will be rubbing his hands in glee....

    OK, its low budget but that does not effect its premise. It has awful glitches as in the clock saying 10.10am and after a two hour test the clock still says 10.10am......BUT!! This is a blockbuster of an idea that could well be put into practice in the near future. Its notion is horrific but potential in this barbaric world we live in these days.

    The acting is strong and commendable and the pace is good and keeps you wanting more.

    Its cliché in places, predictable but in my view is well worth the watch; especially if you wear a tin hat like me!

    All in all a solid low budget thriller that will have you thinking about the future that just might be around the corner for us all.

    7/10

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    Related interests

    Clive Owen and Clare-Hope Ashitey in Children of Men (2006)
    Dystopian Sci-Fi
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
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    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      YouTube announced a sequel after the first film's success.
    • Goofs
      When the pupils are about to be killed they remove all of their clothing. It shows the girls bare shoulders, so bra's have also been removed. After Blake and Liana are in the pool and they are about to change clothes Liana has a bra on.
    • Quotes

      Gov. Dean Redding: [to son, Blake Redding] Look, there's nothing wrong with having a little fun every once in a while, but you gotta pick your moments. The night before a life altering test it's not the moment. Got it.

    • Connections
      Followed by The Thinning: New World Order (2018)

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    FAQ16

    • How long is The Thinning?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 12, 2016 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • التخفيف
    • Filming locations
      • The Escarpment, Huntington Park, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Legendary Digital Media
      • Kids At Play
      • Cinemand
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 21m(81 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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