Thumbsucker is a 2005 American independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Mike Mills in his feature directorial debut.

The film stars Lou Taylor Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Vincent D'Onofrio, Kelli Garner, Benjamin Bratt, Vince Vaughn, and Keanu Reeves.

The plot focuses on Justin Cobb, a teenager in suburban Oregon, as he copes with his thumb-sucking problem, romance, and his diagnosis with ADHD and subsequent experience using Ritalin.

Attempting to catch his mother in the act, he instead meets Schramm sneaking a smoke in the bushes, and learns the unromantic truth.

Lou Taylor Pucci was cast in the lead role of Justin after director Mills auditioned around 150 teenaged actors.

[3] Initially, Matthew McConaughey was attached to star as Justin's debate team coach, Mr. Geary,[6] but was replaced by Vince Vaughn due to a scheduling conflict.

The site's consensus is: "Though quirky coming-of-age themes are common in indie films, this one boasts a smart script and a great cast.

"[12] Steven Rea of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave it three-and-a-half stars out of four, calling it a "quiet, quirky gem" and "terrific".

[13] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it three stars out of four, writing "I have focused on Justin, but really the movie is equally about the adult characters, who all seem to have lacked adequate parenting themselves.

"[14] New York Magazine's Ken Tucker commented on the film's poignancy, writing: "One of the wonderful things about Thumbsucker is that, unlike so many movies in which a character changes in order to propel the plot forward, this one stops to follow up on the consequences of those changes.

"[16] The soundtrack to the film was originally to consist of a number of cover songs performed by Elliott Smith, but he died before the project's completion.

Tim DeLaughter and The Polyphonic Spree were then chosen to compose an original soundtrack after Mills attended one of their shows and was impressed.