We are a small team!
Tracy
Designer
Mary
Developer
Julia
Director
Joel Reynolds runs a small, successful company that produces flavor extracts. Despite his business achievements, he feels unfulfilled both professionally and personally. At home, Joel's marriage to Suzy has grown stale, with intimacy fading. His frustration leads him to consider having an affair, but he's too guilt-ridden to follow through. At work, a freak accident occurs when an employee, Step (Clifton Collins Jr.), loses a testicle in a factory mishap. This incident opens the door for a potential lawsuit, which adds further stress to Joel’s already complicated life. Enter Cindy (Mila Kunis), a seductive con artist with a knack for getting what she wants. Cindy sees an opportunity in the accident and manipulates Step into suing the company, aiming to profit from the situation herself. Meanwhile, Joel confides in his friend Dean (Ben Affleck), a bartender with a carefree approach to life. Dean proposes a wild idea: hire a gigolo to seduce Suzy, so that Joel can cheat guilt-free if Suzy takes the bait. Reluctantly, Joel agrees, and the plan backfires, leaving him deeper in chaos both at home and work. Throughout the movie, Joel's well-intentioned attempts to regain control of his life only lead to more absurd situations, culminating in a series of humorous, awkward, and morally ambiguous scenarios.
Critical Response: Extract received mixed reviews. While some critics appreciated the dry humor and Mike Judge’s sharp observations of workplace dynamics, others felt the film lacked the punch of his earlier films. Jason Bateman’s performance was particularly well-received for its deadpan delivery. Box Office Performance: The film did modestly at the box office, grossing around $10.8 million worldwide. While not a major commercial success, it found a niche audience that appreciated its subtle, satirical take on modern life. Themes Compared to Office Space: Critics and fans often compare Extract to Mike Judge's cult classic Office Space. While Office Space focuses more on office culture and the frustrations of lower-level employees, Extract takes the perspective of a business owner dealing with both personal and professional issues. Both films share a darkly comedic take on corporate life.
The protagonist, a well-meaning but frustrated businessman stuck in a midlife crisis, trying to balance his professional and personal life.
Joel’s wife, who has grown distant in their marriage. She is portrayed as being more focused on household chores than on their relationship.
A manipulative con artist who uses her looks and charm to take advantage of people, including Step, in order to extort money.
Joel’s carefree, stoner bartender friend, who provides Joel with terrible advice, leading to even more trouble.