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Comedy drama

Troop Zero (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Troop Zero (2020) movie poster

Troop Zero is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Amber Templemore-Finlayson and Bert & Bertie, starring Jim Gaffigan as Ramsey Flint, Mckenna Grace and Allison Janney. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
Echo Score
60
Metascore
58
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Troop Zero (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Family
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Troop Zero About?

The premise of Troop Zero without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In rural Georgia, a group of quirky and endearing Birdie Scouts, each feeling like an outsider, set their sights on winning a national competition. Led by a young girl determined to find a place where she belongs, the troop embarks on a humorous and heartfelt journey. Along the way, they face unexpected obstacles and learn the true meaning of friendship and self-acceptance.

Troop Zero Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • underdog
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Cast & crew

Troop Zero Cast & Characters

Jim Gaffigan leads the cast as Ramsey Flint, with Mckenna Grace as Christmas Flint and Allison Janney as Miss Massey. Directed by Amber Templemore-Finlayson, Bert & Bertie and Katie Ellwood; 17 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Troop Zero Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Troop Zero 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

60 /100

Troop Zero Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Troop Zero delivers a charming yet familiar underdog story that balances warmth with predictability. The film’s spirited performances and earnest humor provide consistent appeal, although the narrative rarely strays from well-trodden territory. Production design and direction establish an inviting period atmosphere, while the screenplay’s sentimental tone sometimes feels forced. Though the movie showcases commendable charm and likable characters, it ultimately remains a modest, easily forgettable entry in the coming-of-age genre.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents an inviting period aesthetic with measured cinematography and vibrant production design. Direction maintains a consistent tone, punctuated by playful framing and stylized set pieces. Editing supports a gentle pace, though it occasionally reinforces the film’s safe and predictable nature. Overall, the visual presentation is appealing but seldom surprising.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are uniformly strong, led by a nuanced portrayal of the protagonist and reliable support from established actors. Emotional beats resonate through understated dialogue, though character arcs adhere closely to genre conventions. While chemistry among the ensemble fosters genuine warmth, depth and complexity remain limited, leaving some relationships underexplored yet pleasant.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with steady pacing and clear underdog structure. Plot progression is coherent and accessible, though it rarely ventures beyond familiar tropes. Moments of originality are limited, resulting in a predictable arc. Engagement is sustained by periodic humor and heartfelt scenes, but the overall storyline struggles to leave a lasting impression.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When assessing sensory experience, the soundtrack provides a subtle, era-appropriate backdrop that complements the film’s mood without overwhelming. Sound design remains clean and unobtrusive, supporting dialogue and ambient effects. Visually, the color palette and costume design evoke a cohesive ‘70s milieu, though the film opts for a straightforward approach rather than bold stylistic choices.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch factor, Troop Zero offers a pleasant atmosphere and agreeable performances that may entertain repeat viewings for dedicated fans. However, the lack of narrative surprises and the film’s reliance on sentimentality limit its lasting appeal. Subsequent viewings reveal a safe, predictable structure, which may not sustain long-term interest for a broader audience.

Plot

Troop Zero Plot Summary

What happens in Troop Zero from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the charming town of Wiggly, Georgia, set against the backdrop of 1977, a group of elementary-school misfits decided to challenge societal norms by creating their own troop of Birdie Scouts. Led by the indomitable Christmas Flint, this eclectic ensemble of outcasts aimed to infiltrate the established Birdie Scout youth group with one goal in mind: to triumph in the talent show and secure their place on the Voyager Golden Record, a testament to human creativity that Christmas believed might resonate with extraterrestrial life. In a surprising turn of events, they discovered that the only unassigned troop number in the state was zero. This curious numerical conundrum took on significant meaning for these hopeful dreamers.

Full summary

The whole story of Troop Zero, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Troop Zero Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Troop Zero.

Troop Zero - Official Trailer | Prime Video
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Troop Zero?

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 is the primary goal of Troop Zero?

Cars

Cars in Troop Zero

21 cars on screen, including the Gillig Transit Coach and the 1974 Honda CB 200 T.

All 21 cars
  • Gillig Transit Coach in Troop Zero Gillig Transit Coach Important role
  • 1974 Honda CB 200 T in Troop Zero 1974 Honda CB 200 T Important role
  • 1974 Dodge Monaco in Troop Zero 1974 Dodge Monaco Minor role
  • 1967 Ford F-Series in Troop Zero 1967 Ford F-Series Minor role
Details

Troop Zero Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Troupe Zero” and “Untitled Lucy Alibar Project”.

Also known as
  • Troupe Zero
  • Untitled Lucy Alibar Project
  • Tropa Cero
  • 트룹 제로
  • Tropa Zero
  • トゥループ・ゼロ 夜空に恋したガールスカウト
  • 트루프 제로
  • 第零军团
  • Equipaggio zero
  • Нулевой отряд
  • Ομάδα Μηδέν
  • 第零軍團
+6 more
  • חייל ראשון
  • Zéró csapat
  • Oddíl nula
  • Oddiel nula
  • トゥループ・ゼロ~夜空に恋したガールスカウト~
  • Загін Нуль

Seen Troop Zero?

FAQ

Troop Zero FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Troop Zero, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Troop Zero?

Troop Zero runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Troop Zero released?

Troop Zero was released on January 17, 2020.

Who directed Troop Zero?

Troop Zero was directed by Amber Templemore-Finlayson, Bert & Bertie and Katie Ellwood.

Who is in the cast of Troop Zero?

Troop Zero stars Jim Gaffigan as Ramsey Flint, Mckenna Grace as Christmas Flint and Allison Janney as Miss Massey, among 17 credited actors.

How is Troop Zero rated?

Troop Zero has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Troop Zero have a post-credit scene?

No. Troop Zero has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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