Gold (2016)
A desperate prospector bets everything on a long-shot gold strike deep in the Indonesian jungle — and strikes it rich in more ways than one.
Gold - Movie Information
- Original Title: Gold
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Stephen Gaghan
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Indonesian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 3, 2016 (Ireland - 15A), January 27, 2017 (United States - R), January 27, 2017 (Canada), February 3, 2017 (United Kingdom - 15), April 13, 2017 (Germany - 12), April 19, 2017 (France - U), February 9, 2017 (New Zealand), February 2, 2017 (Australia - M), May 20, 2017 (Brazil - 10), May 4, 2017 (Italy - T), March 10, 2017 (Spain - 12), March 22, 2017 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Gold La gran estafa (MX), El poder de la ambición (Gold) (AR), Gold - Gier hat eine neue Farbe (DE), 金爆内幕 (CN), Gold - Gier hat eine neue Farbe (AT), Gold - df (2016) (US)
- Production Companies: Living Films, Black Bear Pictures, Boies/Schiller Film Group, Hwy61
- Production Countries: United States of America
Gold - Plot
Kenny Wells, a modern-day prospector, hustler, and dreamer, is desperate for a lucky break. Left with few options, Wells teams up with an equally luckless geologist to execute a grandiose, last-ditch effort: to find gold deep in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia.
Gold - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Kenny Wells's audacious quest unfold:
Prove 'em all wrong
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Gold - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Stephen Gaghan
Main Cast
- Matthew McConaughey
- Bryce Dallas Howard
- Edgar Ramírez
- Timothy Simons
- Michael Landes
- Stacy Keach
- Rachael Taylor
- Bruce Greenwood
- Craig T. Nelson
- Corey Stoll
Writers
- Patrick Massett
- John Zinman
Producers
- Michael Nozik
- Teddy Schwarzman
- Patrick Massett
- John Zinman
- Matthew McConaughey
Gold - FAQs
What is Gold (2016) about?
Gold follows Kenny Wells, a down-on-his-luck prospector who partners with geologist Michael Acosta on a wild gamble to strike gold in the Indonesian jungle. What begins as a desperate long shot turns into a massive discovery — and then a dangerous spiral of greed, fraud, and Wall Street manipulation.
Is Gold based on a true story?
Yes, Gold is loosely inspired by the real-life Bre-X mining scandal of the 1990s, one of the largest stock frauds in history. A Canadian company falsely claimed to have discovered a massive gold deposit in Indonesia, triggering a frenzy before the hoax collapsed spectacularly.
Where can you stream Gold (2016)?
You can stream Gold on Netflix or catch it on The Roku Channel and Plex for free with ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home if you prefer to own it.
How did Matthew McConaughey transform for Gold?
McConaughey went all-in for the role — gaining around 45 pounds, shaving his hairline back, and sporting a pot belly and a gold tooth to embody the disheveled, larger-than-life Kenny Wells. It's one of his most physically committed performances, a stark contrast to his leaner roles.
Does Gold have a twist ending?
Yes — the film delivers a sharp twist in its final act that reframes much of what you've watched. Without spoiling it, the ending reveals who was truly pulling the strings all along, leaving Kenny (and the audience) blindsided in a way that echoes the real-world scandal that inspired the story.
Who are the main actors in Gold (2016)?
Matthew McConaughey leads as Kenny Wells, with Edgar Ramírez as geologist Michael Acosta and Bryce Dallas Howard as Kay, Kenny's loyal partner. The supporting cast includes Corey Stoll, Bruce Greenwood, Craig T. Nelson, and Stacy Keach, rounding out a strong ensemble.
Was Gold (2016) a box office success?
Not quite. Gold had a production budget of $20 million but earned just under $15 million at the worldwide box office, making it a commercial disappointment. Critics were mixed, though McConaughey's committed performance drew consistent praise despite the film's modest reception.
Where was Gold (2016) filmed?
The jungle sequences were primarily shot in Thailand, which stood in for the Indonesian rainforest setting of the story. Additional scenes were filmed in the United States, capturing the Nevada desert and corporate environments that frame Kenny Wells's rise and fall.
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