“We’re the Millers” is a comedy film directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and released in 2013. The film follows David Clark (played by Jason Sudeikis), a small-time drug dealer who is forced by his boss to smuggle a shipment of drugs across the US-Mexico border in order to pay off his debts. In order to avoid suspicion, David recruits a fake family, including a stripper named Rose (played by Jennifer Aniston), a runaway named Casey (played by Emma Roberts), and his neighbor Kenny (played by Will Poulter), to pose as his wife and children.
As the group travels to Mexico in an RV, they encounter a series of misadventures, including getting robbed by a group of thugs, accidentally crossing the border into Mexico, and being chased by a drug lord named Pablo Chacon (played by Tomer Sisley) who wants the drugs back. The group eventually manages to make it back to the US with the drugs, but not before getting into several hilarious and dangerous situations.
“We’re the Millers” received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success, grossing over $270 million worldwide. The film’s cast, particularly Jennifer Aniston and Will Poulter, received praise for their performances.
Cast
The main cast of “We’re the Millers” includes:
- Jason Sudeikis as David Clark
- Jennifer Aniston as Rose O’Reilly
- Emma Roberts as Casey Mathis
- Will Poulter as Kenny Rossmore
- Ed Helms as Brad Gurdlinger
- Nick Offerman as Don Fitzgerald
- Kathryn Hahn as Edie Fitzgerald
- Molly Quinn as Melissa Fitzgerald
- Tomer Sisley as Pablo Chacon
- Luis Guzmán as a Mexican cop
- Mark L. Young as Scottie P.
- Ken Marino as Todd – the strip club owner.
Production
“We’re the Millers” was produced by New Line Cinema and was directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. The film was written by Bob Fisher, Steve Faber, Sean Anders, and John Morris, with Fisher and Faber receiving story credit.
Principal photography for the film began in July 2012 and took place in various locations throughout North Carolina, including Wilmington, Siler City, and Charlotte.
The film’s budget was reported to be around $37 million. It was released in the United States on August 7, 2013, and went on to become a box office success, grossing over $270 million worldwide.
Reviews
“We’re the Millers” received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 47% approval rating based on 183 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5/10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “We’re the Millers squanders its potential with an uneven, lazily assembled story.” On Metacritic, the film has a score of 44 out of 100, indicating “mixed or average reviews.”
However, the film’s cast was generally praised for their performances. Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis were particularly singled out for their comedic chemistry, with several critics calling them the highlights of the film. Will Poulter’s performance was also widely praised, with many noting his ability to steal scenes and deliver a memorable performance.
Overall, while “We’re the Millers” may not have been critically acclaimed, it was a commercial success and has since become a cult classic for many audiences.
Where are they now?
Here is what some of the main cast members of “We’re the Millers” have been up to since the movie’s release:
- Jason Sudeikis has continued his successful career in both film and television. He has starred in films such as “Horrible Bosses,” “Sleeping with Other People,” and “Booksmart,” and has also appeared in TV shows like “The Last Man on Earth” and “Ted Lasso,” for which he won a Golden Globe Award.
- Jennifer Aniston has continued to be a major player in Hollywood, starring in films such as “Dumplin’,” “Murder Mystery,” and “The Morning Show,” for which she won a SAG Award. She has also continued to be involved in various charitable causes, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
- Emma Roberts has appeared in several films and TV shows since “We’re the Millers,” including “American Horror Story,” “Nerve,” and “Little Italy.” She has also continued her work in fashion, collaborating with brands such as BaubleBar and Aerie.
- Will Poulter has appeared in several high-profile films since “We’re the Millers,” including “The Maze Runner,” “The Revenant,” and “Midsommar.” He has also been open about his struggles with mental health and has become an advocate for mental health awareness.
- Ed Helms has continued to be a busy actor and producer, appearing in films such as “Tag,” “The Hangover Part III,” and “Coffee & Kareem.” He has also lent his voice to several animated projects, including “The Lego Movie” and “Disenchantment.”
Overall, the cast of “We’re the Millers” has continued to have successful careers in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “We’re the Millers”:
- Jennifer Aniston had to learn how to pole dance for her role as a stripper in the film. She took lessons from a professional pole dancer and reportedly practiced for weeks to perfect her moves.
- Will Poulter’s haircut in the film was actually his own idea. He suggested the look to director Rawson Marshall Thurber during pre-production, and Thurber loved it.
- During filming, the cast and crew encountered a real-life drug bust in the same location where they were shooting. They had to wait for the situation to be resolved before they could continue filming.
- The spider bite scene in the film was real. Actor Will Poulter was actually bitten by a spider on set, and the production team decided to incorporate the injury into the film.
- The RV used in the film was custom-made for the production. It was built to be spacious enough to accommodate the cast and crew, as well as all of the film equipment.
- The film’s original script was much darker and more violent than the final version. The filmmakers decided to tone down the violence and focus more on the comedy aspects of the story.
- There is a post-credits scene in the film featuring Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn. In the scene, they are shown watching a blooper reel from the movie and commenting on the actors’ performances.
Box office
“We’re the Millers” was a box office success, grossing over $269 million worldwide.
In the United States, the film grossed $150 million, making it the sixth-highest-grossing comedy film of 2013. It also opened at number one at the box office during its opening weekend, grossing over $26 million.
Internationally, the film grossed $119.6 million. It performed particularly well in the United Kingdom, where it grossed over $24 million, and in Australia, where it grossed over $20 million.
Overall, “We’re the Millers” was a profitable venture for New Line Cinema, grossing over seven times its reported budget of $37 million.
