the big short is a 2015 american biographical comedy-drama movie. it was directed by adam mckay. it was written by mckay and charles randolph. it is based on the 2010 book "the big short: inside the doomsday machine" by michael lewis that shows how the financial crisis of 2007–2008 was started by the united states housing bubble. the movie stars christian bale, steve carell, ryan gosling, brad pitt, melissa leo, hamish linklater, john magaro, rafe spall, jeremy strong, finn wittrock, and marisa tomei.