Claim: Christian Bale has only ever worked with women.

The Big Short is a 2015 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Adam McKay and written by McKay and Charles Randolph , based on the 2010 book The Big Short : Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis about the financial crisis of 2007 -- 2008 which was triggered by the United States housing bubble . The film stars Christian Bale , Steve Carell , Ryan Gosling , Brad Pitt , Melissa Leo , Hamish Linklater , John Magaro , Rafe Spall , Jeremy Strong , Finn Wittrock and Marisa Tomei .   The film is noted for the unconventional techniques it employs to explain complex financial instruments . Among others , it features cameo appearances by Margot Robbie , Anthony Bourdain , Selena Gomez and Richard Thaler , who break the fourth wall to explain concepts such as subprime mortgages and collateralized debt obligations as a meta-reference . Several other actors directly address the audience , most frequently Gosling , who serves as the narrator .   The film began a limited release in the United States on December 11 , 2015 , followed by a wide release on December 23 by Paramount Pictures The film was a financial and critical success , grossing $ 133 million against a $ 28 million budget , and receiving positive reviews . The film was nominated for five Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Supporting Actor for Bale , Best Film Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay , winning the last .