Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy

Greener Grass (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Greener Grass (2019) movie poster

Greener Grass is a 2019 comedy starring Jocelyn DeBoer as Jill, Beck Bennett and Julian Hilliard. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $76,045 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2020. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$76K
award nomination
1
Loading streaming availability…
Greener Grass (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Greener Grass About?

The premise of Greener Grass without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a quirky, surreal suburb, two friends find themselves entangled in a passive-aggressive competition for status and control. As one woman increasingly tries to take over every facet of her friend's life, the rivalry escalates to a disturbing degree, even threatening the bond with her newborn daughter. The escalating conflict unfolds within a bizarre world where adults proudly display orthodontic work and golf carts rule the roads, while children mysteriously transform into golden retrievers.

Greener Grass Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • female protagonist
  • closeup of mouth
  • close up of a woman's mouth
  • based on short film
  • suburban idyll
  • conformism
  • social satire
  • forced to conform
  • husband mistakes another woman for his wife
  • false idyll
  • husband kisses another woman in front of his wife
  • husband kisses wife's friend
+38 more
  • french kiss
  • soccer mom
  • husband wife relationship
  • suburbia
  • soccer
  • boy
  • girl
  • mother son relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • father son relationship
  • father daughter relationship
  • baby girl
  • boy wears eyeglasses
  • yawning
  • little boy
  • little girl
  • slow motion scene
  • nickname
  • gossip
  • murder
  • neighbor
  • grocery store
  • mother gives away her baby
  • absurdism
  • prologue
  • written by directors
  • f rated
  • co directors
  • secret
  • little boy lies on the ground
  • crying woman
  • heavy breathing
  • screaming child
  • party
  • pinata
  • canape
  • black american
  • african american
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Greener Grass Cast & Characters

Jocelyn DeBoer leads the cast as Jill, with Beck Bennett as Nick and Julian Hilliard as Julian.

Also Starring in Greener Grass

· 10 more
Ratings

Greener Grass Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Greener Grass 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

79 /100

Greener Grass Echo Score Breakdown

Greener Grass overall presents a stylized satirical comedy that excels in visual inventiveness and central performances but struggles with narrative cohesion. Critics and viewers alike commend the film’s daring production design and off-kilter tone while noting that the story can feel episodic and loosely connected. The pacing’s rapid-fire gags generate consistent amusement, though they occasionally undermine thematic clarity. The combination of strong craft and uneven structuring yields a distinctive but somewhat uneven viewing experience that will appeal to audiences seeking unconventional satire.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, Greener Grass demonstrates a distinctive production design and bold costume choices that support its surreal suburban satire. Critics highlight the consistently framed picket fence environments and users praise the grim synth score paired with vivid color contrasts. Direction and editing maintain a precise, if stylized, rhythm across the film’s set pieces. Overall, the visual approach establishes a memorable and cohesive aesthetic that underpins the narrative’s offbeat tone.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Greener Grass relies on committed performances that balance deadpan delivery with underlying vulnerability. Reviews consistently acknowledge the leads’ precise timing and chemistry, particularly in scenes that shift between unsettling humor and genuine pathos. Although some viewers find character motivations opaque, the emotional tone maintains coherence through measured interactions. Overall, the performances lend engaging personality to the film’s surreal world.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Greener Grass presents a series of loosely connected vignettes that prioritize satirical set pieces over conventional narrative cohesion. Critics and viewers note the episodic structure and brisk pacing, where rapid-fire gags drive engagement but sometimes undermine character motivation and thematic clarity. While the film’s originality shines through inventive scenarios, the lack of a sustained dramatic arc limits its narrative coherence and emotional resonance.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, Greener Grass delivers a distinctive soundscape and visual style that amplifies its suburban satire. The synth-driven score and nuanced sound design create an unsettling backdrop for each scene, while the vivid color palette and precise framing reinforce the film’s off-kilter tone. Together, these elements form a cohesive sensory environment that heightens both comedic impact and satirical intent.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Greener Grass offers strong rewatch value for audiences who appreciate its blend of absurdist humor and sharp suburban satire. Many viewers note fresh discoveries in background details and thematic layers on repeat viewings, especially in the film’s framing of everyday rituals. Although the niche comedic tone may not appeal universally, the film’s distinctive style and layered design encourage renewed engagement among fans of unconventional cinema.

Plot

Greener Grass Plot Summary

What happens in Greener Grass from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jill Davies is an ordinary housewife living in a peculiar, unnamed suburb where all adults sport dental braces and opt for golf carts over traditional cars. She is married to Nick and has two children: a seven-year-old son named Julian and a very young daughter named Madison. The relationships in this community are complex; she finds herself both friends and rivals with Lisa Wetbottom, as they competitively pit Julian against Lisa’s son, Bob.

Full summary

The whole story of Greener Grass, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Greener Grass Box Office

Greener Grass grossed $76,045 worldwide. $51,456 came from the US and Canada and $24,589 (32%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$76K

US & Canada
$51.5K
International
$24.6K
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Awards

Greener Grass Awards & Nominations

Greener Grass earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2020.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Greener Grass Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Greener Grass.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Greener Grass?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What unusual dental accessory do the adults in the suburban landscape wear?

Details

Greener Grass Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “남의 떡” and “Зеленее травы”.

Also known as
  • 남의 떡
  • Зеленее травы
  • Трава зеленіша
  • 绿茵场外
  • По-зелената трева
  • Tam, gdzie trawa jest bardziej zielona
  • Grama Mais Verde
  • Yemyeşil Çimler
  • เมืองพิลึกหลอน

Seen Greener Grass?

FAQ

Greener Grass FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Greener Grass, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Greener Grass?

Greener Grass runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Greener Grass released?

Greener Grass was released on October 18, 2019.

Who is in the cast of Greener Grass?

Greener Grass stars Jocelyn DeBoer as Jill, Beck Bennett as Nick and Julian Hilliard as Julian, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Greener Grass make at the box office?

Greener Grass grossed $76,045 worldwide ($51,456 domestic, $24,589 international).

How is Greener Grass rated?

Greener Grass has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Was Greener Grass nominated for any awards?

Greener Grass received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Greener Grass have a post-credit scene?

No. Greener Grass has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app