The Thinning: Movies Like It & Where To Stream - Unveiled!

Krystel Feeney 21 May 2025

In a world increasingly captivated by dystopian narratives, does "The Thinning" offer a compelling commentary on societal anxieties, or is it merely another entry in an oversaturated genre? The film, a 2016 YouTube Red production, plunges viewers into a chilling near-future where academic aptitude determines life or death, presenting a stark reflection of anxieties surrounding overpopulation, government control, and social inequality.

The premise of "The Thinning" is rooted in a future where overpopulation has become a critical issue. In response, the government institutes an annual assessment test, the titular "Thinning," administered to students from first through twelfth grades. Those who score in the bottom 5% are, tragically, executed. This grim mechanism underscores the film's exploration of societal control and the lengths to which a government might go to maintain order, no matter the cost to individual lives. The film's narrative thrusts viewers into a reality where education, or rather, the ability to perform well on standardized tests, is literally a matter of life and death, creating immediate and palpable stakes.

Feature	Details
Title	The Thinning
Year of Release	2016
Director	Michael Gallagher
Starring Actors	Logan Paul, Peyton List, Lia Marie Johnson, Calum Worthy, Matthew Glave, Michael Traynor, Stacey Dash
Genre	Dystopian Science Fiction Thriller
Platform	YouTube Red (now YouTube Premium)
Theme	Overpopulation, Government Control, Social Stratification, Dystopian Society
Synopsis	In a future dystopian United States, overpopulation has led to a ruthless solution: an annual standardized test determines which students are executed. Blake Redding must navigate this brutal system while fighting against corruption.
Reference	IMDB - The Thinning (2016)

The film's narrative structure unfolds with a degree of predictability, but within it are several layers that serve to keep the audience engaged. As the story develops, viewers are introduced to a world where the veneer of order masks deeper corruption. The film's protagonist, Blake Redding, played by Logan Paul, finds himself entangled in a struggle that transcends the immediate threat of the "Thinning" test. The deeper layers gradually expose how the test serves a purpose far more sinister than a simple measure of academic aptitude.

In many ways, "The Thinning" is a product of its time, reflecting contemporary anxieties about the future. Its themes echo those explored in other dystopian narratives, such as "The Hunger Games," where government control and social stratification are central. In "The Hunger Games," as in "The Thinning," the ruling elite wield significant power, suppressing individual liberties and maintaining control through fear. Like "The Hunger Games" Katniss Everdeen, the characters in "The Thinning" are forced to confront the brutality of a system designed to control and eliminate, pushing them to challenge the status quo. The film also shares thematic links with "Logan's Run" and "The Running Man," each depicting societies where individuals are trapped in systems where their very survival is at stake.

However, "The Thinning" is not without its shortcomings. Critics, and audiences alike, have noted the lack of screen chemistry between Logan Paul and Peyton List. While this observation may be a valid assessment, it is arguably not the film's most significant weakness. The film's ability to address its themes thoughtfully is arguably hindered by a somewhat underdeveloped script and a narrative that prioritizes spectacle over nuance. In contrast to other films like "The House of the Devil," which seeks to carefully recreate a specific aesthetic, "The Thinning" often appears to trade depth for a more immediate, though sometimes superficial, engagement with its audience.

From a technical standpoint, "The Thinning" manages to create a visually arresting world. The setting is credible and it is made all the more chilling by the film's commitment to a bleak, almost sterile, aesthetic. The film's cinematography contributes significantly to the pervasive atmosphere of oppression that permeates the narrative. The environments and the visual presentation work together to create a sense of unease, mirroring the inherent tension within the story. In this, the film finds some degree of success, drawing viewers into the world that it depicts.

The film is part of a larger trend. The Thinning fits within a broader cinematic tradition of exploring dystopian themes. Films that share thematic and stylistic elements with "The Thinning" often delve into futures marked by government control and social stratification. Such films might depict societies where standardized tests, as in "The Thinning," determine an individual's place in society. These interconnected facets of government control create a chilling portrayal of societies where individual liberties are suppressed and power is concentrated in the hands of the ruling elite. By exploring these themes through fictional narratives, these films offer a lens to examine the anxieties that plague society in general.

The movie's conclusion offers a dramatic inflection point in the plot. Following Blake's apparent demise, the narrative shifts, revealing the full implications of the test. This revelation exposes the corruption at the heart of the system. The dramatic climax forces the audience to question the true purpose of the "Thinning" test. The ending, however, leaves some questions unanswered. There is no mention of a third film, although "The Thinning" fanfiction exists on platforms such as Wattpad. This suggests a continued interest in the concept.

In addition to these similar titles, there's the question of where to stream "The Thinning." Various services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, have hosted the movie, and availability may vary. This wider accessibility allows the film to reach a broader audience, promoting discussion around its thematic elements.

The film's exploration of these ideas, however, is somewhat hampered by the direction of the storyline. While the premise is gripping, the narrative doesnt always delve as deeply as it could into the moral and ethical implications of its themes. The characters, though functional, sometimes lack the depth required to fully engage the audience. The script, at times, favors plot over character development, thus limiting the emotional impact of certain scenes. Despite these weaknesses, "The Thinning" remains a thought-provoking entry in the dystopian genre. The movie manages to stimulate consideration about the dangers of unchecked power and the fragility of individual freedom.