The Big Short (film)
The Big Short (film)
The Big Short is a 2015 American biographical comedy-drama directed by Adam McKay. It’s based on Michael Lewis’s 2010 book The Big Short and tells the story of the 2008 financial crisis caused by the U.S. housing market. The film follows several outsiders who correctly predicted the collapse and bet against the market, making billions in the process.
Plot in brief
The film weaves together three interrelated stories about people who saw the 2008 housing bubble coming and then bet against it. Hedge fund manager Michael Burry discovers that risky subprime mortgages will cause a market crash and creates a market for credit default swaps to profit from the decline. An investment banker and trader, Jared Vennett (a character based on Greg Lippmann), helps spread the idea and brings in other investors who place big bets against the housing market. A trio of analysts at FrontPoint Partners, led by Mark Baum, uncovers fraud and conflicts of interest in rating agencies and banks. A pair of young investors, Charlie Geller and Jamie Shipley (with the help of Ben Rickert), also decide to short the market. As defaults rise, the system’s flaws become clear and their bets pay off.
Cast (top-billed)
- Christian Bale as Michael Burry
- Steve Carell as Mark Baum
- Ryan Gosling as Jared Vennett
- Brad Pitt as Ben Rickert
- Supporting: John Magaro, Finn Wittrock, Hamish Linklater, Rafe Spall, Jeremy Strong, Marisa Tomei, and others
Production and style
Paramount Pictures developed the project from Michael Lewis’s book, with Plan B Entertainment producing. Adam McKay co-wrote and directed, shaping a tone that blends hard-edged drama with sharp humor. The film includes celebrity cameos to explain complex financial concepts (Margot Robbie, Anthony Bourdain, Selena Gomez, Richard Thaler), and features a cameo by Michael Burry himself.
Release and reception
- Release: Limited release on December 11, 2015, followed by a wide release on December 23, 2015.
- Running time: 130 minutes
- Budget: $50 million
- Box office: About $133.4 million worldwide
- Critics and audiences: The film earned widespread praise for performances (especially Bale and Carell), McKay’s direction and editing, and the screenplay. It won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and received multiple other nominations and awards.
Historical notes
The film adapts real events and characters for drama. Some names are changed (e.g., Eisman becomes Mark Baum; Greg Lippmann becomes Jared Vennett), and certain details are dramatized. Nevertheless, many reviewers and analysts noted that the movie effectively conveys the scale and mechanics of the crisis. Some critics and participants praised its clarity in explaining a complex topic, while others noted artistic license in service of storytelling.
Impact
The Big Short is often cited for highlighting the root causes of the financial crisis in an accessible way. It remains recognized for its strong performances, sharp editing, and its willingness to tackle a difficult, controversial subject with humor and insight.
This page was last edited on 29 January 2026, at 05:50 (CET).