Nothing happens for a reason. That is the basic premise of what might be the best film commentary on film itself. “Rubber” tells the story of a tire that comes to life and goes on a murderous rampage. Many people have likely given it a watch on Netflix simply due to its outlandish description, but there is a fascinating meaning behind the film that actually has nothing to do with the tire at all.
In “Rubber,” the story of the sentient tire is experienced not only by the film viewer but also by a group of binocular-equipped spectators in a desert. These spectators serve to symbolize the average movie watcher as they vocalize exactly what should be going through the actual viewer’s mind. At the start of the film, these spectators are addressed by a sheriff who tells them that everything in movies happens for “no reason.” The events of “Rubber” are a representation of the meaninglessness of movies, and the spectators represent how audiences consume entertainment.
The spectators have gone to the ends of the earth seeking entertainment and find themselves stuck there for days, forced to devour the poisoned food given to them by the sheriff. This shows how moviegoers mindlessly eat up the meaningless filth that is fed to them by those behind the movies.
In a representation of losing interest, the spectators start to die off, leaving only one man who refuses to consume the poison and criticizes the events of the story. This man embodies the “entitlement” of viewers who only adulterate the entertainment that they paid money to view. He begins to get too involved in helping the police track down the tire, leading to a horrible end that could have been avoided by looking on silently.
For those who get through the whole film without realizing these connections, the ending is an undeniable criticism of big Hollywood films. In the closing sequence, the tire rolls off toward Hollywood, recruiting an army of tires in an attempt to mass produce itself again and again, just like the movie industry itself.
Using a simple, crazy premise, “Rubber” says a lot of fascinating things about entertainment and how we take it in. “Rubber” really is something special. Whether it is the social commentary or the highly entertaining journey of a murderous tire, “Rubber” will leave anyone with a smile on their face.
