Overview
A geek navigates the chaotic streets of Los Angeles, striving to find his identity amidst the madness.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- irreverent
- energetic
- teen movie night
- coming of age double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as smart, insightful, and refreshingly original, especially highlighting Shameik Moore's breakthrough performance and its revolutionary ensemble.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Malcolm balances Harvard aspirations and college applications against the assumptions attached to his life in Inglewood.
The story explicitly frames Malcolm and his friends as part of the post hip hop generation, with hip hop culture shaping their friendships and choices.
Malcolm's SAT preparation and Harvard goal unfold alongside drugs, gangsters, and dangerous consequences from the underground party.
The Bottoms in Inglewood provides a tough but colorful environment populated by offbeat characters, parties, dealers, and aspiring students.
Films like Dope, and why
The Edge of Seventeen
Shares a witty, irreverent coming of age perspective, youthful outsider protagonists, and a vivid engagement with race and identity.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Combines teen self-discovery, friendship, romance, and socially observant comedy with an unconventional outsider viewpoint.
ATL
Shares a Black adolescent protagonist, urban coming of age themes, hip hop culture, and a mix of comedy, crime, and social commentary.
Superbad
Blends teenage friendship, subcultural identity, crime complications, and energetic humor in a contemporary urban setting.
Movie Details
- Director
- Rick Famuyiwa
- Release Date
- 2015-06-19
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1629)
Cast
- Shameik Moore
- Zoë Kravitz
- A$AP Rocky
- Kiersey Clemons
- Tony Revolori
- Blake Anderson
- Chanel Iman
- Roger Guenveur Smith
- LaKeith Stanfield
- Tyga
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dope about?
- A sharp, music-charged teen adventure follows an ambitious Inglewood geek whose collision with drugs and street danger forces him to define success on his own terms.
- What is Dope like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dope as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Dope violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Dope as mild.
- What did critics think of Dope?
- Critics broadly praised the film as smart, insightful, and refreshingly original, especially highlighting Shameik Moore's breakthrough performance and its revolutionary ensemble.
- Which films are like Dope?
- Films with a similar feel include The Edge of Seventeen, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, ATL, and Superbad.
- How long is Dope?
- Dope runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dope?
- In United States, Dope streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
