Kajillionaire (2020)

September 25, 2020 (US) • Crime, Drama, Comedy • 105m

Overview

Two con artists have spent 26 years training their only daughter to swindle, scam and steal at every turn. During a desperate and hastily conceived heist, they charm a stranger into joining them, only to have their entire world turned upside down.

Director

Miranda July

Writer

Miranda July

Top Billed

Evan Rachel Wood

Keywords

dysfunctional family con artist scam los angeles, california lgbt woman director emotionally distant fear of intimacy

Where to watch

Free / Included

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Evan Rachel Wood

Old Dolio

Debra Winger

Theresa

Gina Rodriguez

Melanie

Richard Jenkins

Robert

Patricia Belcher

Althea

Kim Estes

Victor

Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Jenny

Rachel Redleaf

Kelli

Randy Ryan

Kelli's Boyfriend

Mark Ivanir

Stovik

Blanca Araceli

Volunteer

Diana Maria Riva

Farida / Melanie's Mom (voice)

Betsy Baker

Baggage Claim Clerk

Michelle Gillette

Bartender

Susan James Berger

Sue

Adam Bartley

Jacuzzi Salesman

Michael Twaine

Abe

Andrew Hawkes

Man Pumping Gas

David Ury

Minimart Cashier

Matthew Downs

Man At Gas Station

Samantha Cardona

Waitress

Zachary Barton

Final Cashier

Jeffrey Nicholas Brown

Businessman (uncredited)

Tabitha Brownstone

Catholic Schoolgirl #2 (uncredited)

Ian Casselberry

The Leopard (uncredited)

Nikki Castillo

Catholic Schoolgirl #1 (uncredited)

Challen Cates

Med Spa Manager (uncredited)

Jason Catron

Real Business Man #2 (uncredited)

Madeleine Coghlan

Another Teenage Girl (uncredited)

Micah Cohen

Airplane Businessman (uncredited)

Matthew Foster

Father (uncredited)

Ben Konigsberg

Ben (uncredited)

Ethan Josh Lee

Another Son (uncredited)

Rebecca Lee

Another Daughter (uncredited)

Zena Leigh Logan

Normal Woman (uncredited)

Brandon Morales

Fancy Athletic Club Desk Clerk (uncredited)

Steve Park

Another Father (uncredited)

Wylie Small

Another Mom (uncredited)

Trent Walker

Dad (uncredited)

Crew

Mark Bennett

Casting

Jeremy Cox

Visual Effects

Isaac Banks

"A" Camera Operator

Miranda July

Writer

Jeremy Kleiner

Producer

Youree Henley

Producer

Dede Gardner

Producer

Amber Sealey

Co-Producer

Miranda July

Director

Sebastian Winterø

Director of Photography

Emile Mosseri

Original Music Composer

Megan Ellison

Executive Producer

Jillian Longnecker

Executive Producer

Sam Lisenco

Production Design

Brad Pitt

Executive Producer

Jennifer Vecchiarello

Editor

Gabe Hilfer

Music Supervisor

Jamie Overla

Stand In

Daniel Applegate

Digital Imaging Technician

Matthew Janssen

Second Assistant Director

Devynne Lauchner

Set Decoration

Sarah Esberg

Executive Producer

Jennifer Johnson

Costume Design

Matt Kennedy

Still Photographer

Joel Henry

Unit Production Manager

Tommy Giordano

Utility Sound

Sergio De Luca

"A" Camera Operator

Veronica Bouza

Second Assistant "A" Camera

Harrison Reynolds

First Assistant "B" Camera

Scott R. Todd

Gaffer

Jeremy Bramer

Makeup Artist

Jessica Shorten

Art Direction

T.J. White

Stunt Coordinator

Cary Weitz

Boom Operator

Natalie Clark

Stand In

Eli Horowitz

Associate Producer

Tyson Banks

Second Assistant "B" Camera

Mary Funsten

First Assistant "B" Camera

Tim Pedegana

Post Production Supervisor

Brittany Ruiz

Assistant Property Master

David Peterson

Special Effects Coordinator

Hayley Wright

Stunt Double

Julia Schachter

Script Supervisor

Doug Shamburger

Boom Operator

Edward Hewitt Jr.

Casting Assistant

Hayley Wright

Stunts

Matthew C. Blea

Second Assistant "A" Camera

Steve Goodloe

Electrician

Brian Parada

Leadman

Sean Tejaratchi

Graphic Designer

Jonas Spaccarotelli

First Assistant Director

Gabrielle Moloney

Set Decoration Buyer

Jason Dodd

Special Effects Technician

John Peterson

Special Effects Technician

Jack A. Tatevosian

Driver

Ingmar Najarro

Assistant Chef

Theodosia Roussos

Musician

Alessandra Noelle

Musician

Sofie Dejus

Production Coordinator

Minnie Schedeen

Producer's Assistant

Melina Hayum

Actor's Assistant

Craig Alexander

Driver

John Stewart

Visual Effects Supervisor

Gina Luciani

Musician

Jessica R. Lawson

Seamstress

Sasha Adkinson

Extras Casting

Jordan Crabtree

Production Office Assistant

Elizabeth Litvitskiy

Writers' Assistant

Gordon Hill

Driver

Kent Sparling

Sound Designer

Elliot Hartley

ADR Mixer

Rodrigo Galvan

ADR Mixer

John Brennick

Compositor

Mike Vitacco

Musician

Scott Parent

Dolly Grip

Jimmy Loof

Grip

Katalin Urszuly

Key Makeup Artist

Travis Campbell

Actor's Assistant

Harland Kanahele

Driver

Frank Rinella

Foley Editor

Frank Rinella

Foley Mixer

Carrie Perry

Schedule Coordinator

Darrel Ditri

Electrician

Joshua Bramer

Property Master

Nick Fiore

Set Production Assistant

Céline Bava-Helms

Producer's Assistant

Michaela Anderson

Producer's Assistant

Mara Mark

Studio Teacher

Tony Villaflor

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Jon Null

Head of Production

Dan Snow

ADR Mixer

Andre Rivas

Digital Intermediate Assistant

Cheli Clayton

First Assistant "A" Camera

Shawn Holden

Production Sound Mixer

John Howes

Best Boy Electric

Chris Kallemeyn

Electrician

Christopher Williams

Electrician

Stacey Furbeyre

Art Department Production Assistant

Andy Rines

Set Dresser

Raphael Di Febo

Assistant Property Master

Shirley Lipscomb

Seamstress

Dana Nelson

Set Production Assistant

Tom Reiser

Digital Colorist

Luis Gonzalez

Swing

Kathleen Karridene

Makeup Department Head

Evelyn Fredrich

Production Supervisor

George A. Miki

Driver

Terrance Peters

Driver

Nifo Selesitino

Driver

Dan Wright

Driver

Quinn Kawata

Post Production Coordinator

John Weckworth

Compositor

Huey Carroll

Compositor

Theodosia Roussos

Vocals

Lisa Aragona

Art Department Coordinator

Spencer Steadman

Swing

Kim H. Ngo

Assistant Costume Designer

Preston Grant

Production Secretary

Bjørn Ole Schroeder

Supervising Sound Editor

Paul Hurtubise

ADR Mixer

Rebecca Lawrence

Musician

Jonathan Barangan

Best Boy Grip

Joshua Miller

Best Boy Grip

Jeremy Ochoa

Grip

Kaitlyn Alyward

Costume Assistant

Dave Conway

Location Manager

Edgar Orellana

Layout

Natalie Sellers

Producer's Assistant

Josh King

Transportation Captain

Kimo Han

Driver

Raul Hernandez

Catering Head Chef

Spooky Stevens

Unit Publicist

James Yen

Payroll Accountant

Nicholas L. Harvell

Set Production Assistant

Tony Ruiz

Transportation Coordinator

Nick Matosian

Craft Service

Matt Allende

Set Medic

Aubree Bernier-Clarke

Epk Producer

Jared Arkulary

Digital Intermediate Producer

Catherine Outterbridge

Musician

Alex M. Jenkins

Grip

Richard Walter

Grip

MacKenzie Stetzler

Art Department Production Assistant

Andre E. Bond

Driver

Edgar Hernandez

Catering

Christi Leftwich

Assistant Editor

Kent Sparling

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Andrea Gard

Foley Artist

Christina Lee

First Assistant Accountant

Gary K Matosian

Craft Service

Doug Winningham

Sound Effects Editor

Josh Lowden

General Manager

Brad Frizzell

On Set Dresser

Kevin Bici

Set Dresser

Jacqueline Trudel

Set Decoration Buyer

Vanessa Portillo

Extras Casting

Sherwin Kim

Actor's Assistant

Will McDowell

Actor's Assistant

Eric Gilbert

Driver

Vardui Matosian

Assistant Craft Service

Chapel Folger

Visual Effects Producer

Christine Bergren

Legal Services

Adam Sheedy

Key Grip

Matt Markus

Grip

Eric Flesch

Electrician

Brian Annis

Set Dresser

Angelina Vitto

Costumer

Francine Lecoultre

Ager/Dyer

Peggy Yen

Production Accountant

Michael Hansen

Assistant Production Coordinator

Will Potenberg

Production Secretary

Larry Riggen

Driver

Ryan Thomas

Electrician

Jessica R. Lawson

Tailor

Karen Bartek

Hair Department Head

Gloria Conrad

Hairstylist

Jana Ludwigova

Second Second Assistant Director

Jason Jamal

Set Production Assistant

Terry Smith

Driver

Alonso Pelayo

Set Medic

Holly Dorff

ADR Voice Casting

Tricia Barrett

Compositor

Shirley Lipscomb

Tailor

Cindy Welles

Key Hair Stylist

Skye Caruso

Producer's Assistant

Danielle Dupre

Sound Re-Recording Assistant

Jennifer Raymond

Digital Intermediate Editor

Dee Schuka

Post Production Accountant

Erick Eiser

Musician

Reviews

Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

⭐ 9/10

March 27, 2020

I am absolutely head over heels in love with writer-director Miranda July‘s “Kajillionaire,” a quirky, tender film that explores the longing for human connection wrapped up in a story about a family of down-on-their-luck con artists. The project has July’s signature style all over, and it’s one of the very best works of her career.

Theresa (Debra Winger) and Robert (Richard Jenkins) are life-long grifters. They’ve trained their only daughter, Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood), well. The trio are well-versed in every scam, swindle, and opportunity for thievery, from lifting mail from adjacent post office boxes to demanding a reward for finding “lost” jewelry. While on a mission to defraud a travel insurance company, they meet kind stranger Melanie (Gina Rodriguez), who is intrigued by the family. Melanie casually mentions that she has a crackerjack idea to trick her elderly customers into gifting her valuable antiques, which she can subsequently sell for cash. Desperate for rent money, the family invites Melanie to join them on their next heist, which turns Old Dolio’s world upside down.

The story is original, touching, very funny, and it goes places you won’t expect. Wood is fantastic as Old Dolio, a stoic, lonely, and strange young woman who is obsessed with the fact that she was never held as a baby. She longs to be shown affection, and it’s a heartbreaking character that Wood wholly embodies. All of the performances are fantastic, but she stands out.

The dry, wry humor is an acquired taste, but if you appreciate July’s previous work, you’ll likely love this. There are moments of greatness (including a beautiful scene about loneliness that takes place in a dying man’s apartment), and heavy themes about learning to love yourself and the joys of friendship and salvation are laid out in non-conventionally delicate but effective ways. I adored every single moment of this film.

The story turns from a generic tale of grifters into a lively portrait of self discovery, and it’s beautiful when Old Dolio begins to experience a true connection with Melanie as they devise a plan to free her from a life of petty crime.

“Kajillionaire” is uplifting and charming, and has a lot of original, insightful things to say about the world we all live in.

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Manuel São Bento

⭐ 7/10

October 13, 2020

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
https://www.msbreviews.com

This is the first movie I watch from Miranda July. She’s been delivering films well-received by critics, but audiences seem to be pretty divisive about her storytelling methodology. Not that many people watch her movies, which doesn’t quite allow me to draw a conclusion about what the general public thinks about her, but there’s a clear tendency for overall positive feedback when a lot of people put their eyes on one of her pieces instead of just a couple of hundreds. Therefore, I was really intrigued by Kajillionaire’s synopsis, and the cast is interesting, to say the least. So, does Miranda conquers one more fan, or am I too stubborn to convince?

Her unconventional filmmaking style definitely captures my attention, but it’s her incredibly subtle character development that ultimately wins me over. Evan Rachel Wood’s Old Dolio doesn’t know how to live or what life truly is. She doesn’t understand or feels fundamental human interactions due to the loveless parenting that accompanied her throughout her entire life. She only knows how to steal, cheat, and live a life outside of the law. She believes life is meaningless and that a massive earthquake will change everything. So, Old Dolio is an easy character to root for and to connect with when things don’t work out as she expects. It’s impossible not to feel sorry for her. I constantly felt sad and even uncomfortable when she was emotionally suffering.

Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld, Frozen II) offers a unique interpretation of someone with this kind of personality, even changing her voice tone, delivering a notably layered performance. Evan and Gina Rodriguez (Melanie) share impeccable chemistry, a vital component in the main plot. Their characters create such an emotional bond that any sane and educated viewer will understand where their relationship is driving towards. This friendship is treated in such a respectful and realistic manner from Miranda July that I felt extremely pleased by everything surrounding it. It’s undoubtedly the primary source of entertainment.

However, it’s Gina Rodriguez (Annihilation, Scoob!) who genuinely elevates the whole story. Honestly, in my opinion, it’s her career-best performance. With tiny, little facial expressions, she’s able to clearly transmit to the viewer everything Melanie is feeling. She’s introduced at the right time, just when the film needs a push. Richard Jenkins and Debra Winger are also outstanding, especially the former who gives his character a few unexpected, emotionally powerful moments. Both parents are as cold and rigorous as they could be, teaching her daughter how to survive without any affection instead of how to live and be filled with love.

Miranda July writes a compelling narrative, packed with dramatic sequences, but also with quite a bit of humor. She employs a somewhat slow pacing, which doesn’t always work in favor of the movie. In fact, if it wasn’t for Gina and Evan’s incredibly captivating interactions, Kajillionaire would suffer much more from the family’s scamming business, something that quickly loses my enthusiasm. Sebastian Winterø’s cinematography is driven by the characters, lingering on their reactions longer than usual, letting the emotions sink in, and allowing the viewer to connect with the characters. This is impeccable work, aided by seamless editing (Jennifer Vecchiarello).

Technically, it’s a pretty well-produced film, but I do have an issue with the score by Emile Mosseri. I really enjoy most of the themes, but occasionally the volume is so loud that I had trouble listening to what the characters were saying. Since I had the option of going back a few seconds, I could hear some scenes again, so it didn’t exactly hurt my viewing. However, it’s still a technical issue that made me stop the movie, something I absolutely dislike, and I don’t know how much it could have impacted me had I watched this film at a theater.

In the end, Kajillionaire convinces me well enough to add Miranda July to my list of “directors to follow closely”. Boasting a character-driven narrative and a unique filmmaking style, Evan Rachel Wood and Gina Rodriguez share impressive chemistry, elevating their characters’ relationship, which is definitely the most captivating arc of the whole movie. Both Melanie and Old Dolio go through an extremely detailed yet visually subtle character development, which compelled me to root for their success in life. Gina steals the show with a career-best performance, but Evan’s bizarre display is also remarkable, as well as Richard Jenkins and Debra Winger’s excellent portrayals of the parents. Technically, Sebastian Winterø’s camera work and Jennifer Vecchiarello’s editing work perfectly together, but Emile Mosseri’s beautiful score is occasionally dialed up to a volume that hurts some dialogues. The slow pacing employed doesn’t quite work all the time, and the family’s swindling business quickly loses interest besides defying logic a couple of times. Overall, I recommend it to everyone, so give it a watch if you can!

Rating: B

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beyondthecineramadome

⭐ 10/10

June 20, 2022

Full review: <a>https://www.tinakakadelis.com/beyond-the-cinerama-dome/2021/12/28/live-laughnbspscam-kajillionaire-review<a>

There are few movies quite like Miranda July’s _Kajillionaire_. What begins as a movie about grifters and scam artists turns into one of the most achingly honest portrayals of loneliness ever made. Led by Evan Rachel Wood’s transformative performance of Old Dolio, _Kajillionaire_’s focus is on the scamming Dyne family. P… read the rest.

pimpskitters

⭐ 9/10

January 1, 2024

What happens when a couple of commies name their only daughter after a hobo? Kajillionire. You wont regret watching this movie. This sort of stuff needs to happen more often. Genuinely funny moments in a movie that is not entirely a comedy. Old Dolio kills it, so hard. Physical humor is outstanding. If you don't like this movie, I don't want to know you.