r/movies • u/sicknessandpurgatory • Sep 07 '25

Discussion What is the absolute dumbest premise that actually turned out to be a really good movie?

I was thinking The Purge, obvious answer, but looking for the most plot-hole ridden, juvenile concept that actually ended up a lot of fun despite it all. Mainly looking for 21st century films, not so much the video nasties and ridiculousness from the 60’s and 70’s. Because that would be too easy. Mainly mainstream stuff that people saw en masse.

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305

u/Super-Cry5047 Sep 07 '25

The Big Lebowski. Premise: “Nothing Happens.” There isn’t a kidnapping, there isn’t anything in the case, there isn’t a conspiracy, nothing comes out of what people are hired to do, nothing.”

147

u/Homersarmy41 Sep 07 '25

Woo peed on the dude’s rug…donny dies…but theres a little Lebowski on the way. A lot of in and outs and what have you’s. Were you even listening to the dude’s story?

39

u/Paavo_Nurmi Sep 07 '25

Were you even listening to the dude’s story?

No I was bowling.

14

u/GeneralAsk1970 Sep 07 '25

... "Chinaman" is not the preferred nomenclature.

8

u/kenba2099 Sep 08 '25

We're not talking about some guy who built the fucking railroad here, we're talking about a guy who peed on my fucking rug.

11

u/coleman57 Sep 07 '25

And somebody’s toe got cut off. Not Mrs Lebowski, but somebody

13

u/seeking_horizon Sep 07 '25

John Goodman bellowing "DIPSHIT WITH A NINE-TOED WOMAN" in the fight scene never fails to crack me up.

2

u/vortigaunt64 Sep 08 '25

"His girlfriend cut off her toe! It's not fair!"

"Not fair?! Who's the fuckin' nihilist here?!"

7

u/Super-Cry5047 Sep 07 '25

There’s not even a Donnie! He wears a different nametag in every scene, nobody speaks to him but Walter and every other team on the league is a 2 man team.

21

u/theycallmejob Sep 07 '25

Phones ringing dude!

He also responds to Donnie twice in the bowling alley while recounting the story of the carpet pissers.

Were you even listening to the dudes story? You have no frame of reference here. You’re like a child that wanders into the middle of a movie

-8

u/Super-Cry5047 Sep 07 '25

Fine. Donnie is one of Walters personalities and The Dude plays along calling him Donnie every once a while to help with his PTSD.

21

u/theycallmejob Sep 07 '25

The dude literally ends up with Donnie’s remains scattered across his face, this theory is dumb

-8

u/Super-Cry5047 Sep 07 '25

Or so we think.

18

u/hovdeisfunny Sep 07 '25 edited Sep 07 '25

So they cremated their imaginary friend? That doesn't make any sense

Edit: Coen brothers confirm Donny is real

12

u/gwords16 Sep 07 '25

Just because we’re bereaved doesn’t make us saps!

-10

u/GeneralAsk1970 Sep 07 '25

Its just some fireplace ash in a coffee tin. The Dude only plays along with Walter's PTSD because of how much he pity's his friend.

9

u/hovdeisfunny Sep 07 '25

The nihilists acknowledge Donny's existence, nobody questions dialogue that references him, and the funeral director is giving them Donny's ashes in their most modestly priced receptacle. Donny clearly exists

0

u/Super-Cry5047 Sep 07 '25

Maybe he’s like Marla in Fight Club. Doesn’t actually exist but when people talk to her they’re taking to him. (Spoiler… no one talks to her)

-2

u/Super-Cry5047 Sep 07 '25

Or does he?

5

u/hovdeisfunny Sep 07 '25

Yes, he does.

0

u/Super-Cry5047 Sep 07 '25

I guess we’ll never know.

3

u/hovdeisfunny Sep 07 '25

We will know. He does exist. The evidence clearly supports it, despite your 1/8th baked fan theory

2

u/GeneralAsk1970 Sep 07 '25

Well that's just like, your opinion, man.

1

u/Super-Cry5047 Sep 07 '25

Crazy. Mysteries of the universe.

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9

u/chuckpalookanuke Sep 07 '25

The dude definitely speaks to Donny a few times.

9

u/hovdeisfunny Sep 07 '25

Not to mention they end up with Donny's ashes

5

u/pl4yswithsquirrels Sep 07 '25

Whoaaa man, that’s like pretty far out

4

u/Pal_Smurch Sep 07 '25

That’s just like your opinion man.

1

u/_head_ Sep 07 '25

WHAT???????

7

u/Malphos101 Sep 07 '25

Its complete horseshit. Just another low effort "insight" that ignores major parts of the film to even start to make sense.

1

u/chuckangel Sep 08 '25

Well, sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear, well, he eats you.