Greener Grass (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- IFC Midnight
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
Greener Grass Cast & Characters
Jocelyn DeBoer leads the cast as Jill, with Beck Bennett as Nick and Julian Hilliard as Julian.
-
Jocelyn DeBoer as Jill -
Beck Bennett as Nick -
Julian Hilliard as Julian - Dawn Luebbe as Lisa
Also Starring in Greener Grass
· 10 more- Asher Miles Fallica Bob
- Jim Cummings Rob
- Mary Holland Kim Ann
- D'Arcy Carden Miss Human
- Santina Muha Shayna
- Josh Ruben
- Dot Jones
- Neil Casey Dennis
- John Milhiser Photographer
- Lauren Adams Erika, Cheryl Hoad
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 83% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 58%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 69 Metascore
User score 5.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
674 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$76K
- US & Canada
- $51.5K
- International
- $24.6K
Greener Grass Awards & Nominations
Greener Grass earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2020.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2020 1 nomination- Nominated Best First Screenplay – Jocelyn DeBoer
Greener Grass Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Greener Grass.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What unusual dental accessory do the adults in the suburban landscape wear?
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?
Movies Like Greener Grass
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Greener Pastures, Girls Will Be Girls and Greenberg.
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.
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