Overview
A summer of discovery and heartache unfolds in a remote Icelandic village, where friendships are tested and new feelings emerge.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- tender
- intimate
- reflective evening
- coming of age film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the screenplay, dialogue, direction of the young actors, and evocative cinematography, while finding the film generally favorable overall.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Christian develops feelings for his best friend while both boys confront changing identities and desires.
Long shots of Icelandic coastlines and fjords contrast the village's intimacy with the harshness of nature.
Thor and Christian's bond structures the summer and becomes strained by Christian's emerging feelings.
The remote fishing village creates a closely watched environment in which adolescent identity is difficult to express openly.
Films like Heartstone, and why
God's Own Country
Like Heartstone, a tender queer coming-of-age drama about adolescent friendship, desire, and emotional self-discovery in an intimate community.
Moonlight
Shares the melancholic, naturalistic coming-of-age atmosphere and focus on young people negotiating queer identity and social pressure.
Tomboy
Comparable for its bittersweet teenage first love, restrained performances, and emotionally observant treatment of sexual awakening.
The Way He Looks
Shares a lyrical, landscape-centered style and a sensitive portrait of queer adolescence confronting isolation and adulthood.
Movie Details
- Director
- Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson
- Release Date
- 2016-12-28
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (189)
Cast
- Baldur Einarsson
- Blær Hinriksson
- Diljá Valsdóttir
- Katla Njálsdóttir
- Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir
- Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
- Søren Malling
- Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir
- Gunnar Jónsson
- Jónína Þórdís Karlsdóttir
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Dekkoo Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Heartstone about?
- Two Icelandic boys find friendship, first love, and painful self-knowledge during a summer that ends their childhood innocence.
- What is Heartstone like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Heartstone as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Heartstone violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Heartstone as mild.
- What did critics think of Heartstone?
- Critics broadly praised the screenplay, dialogue, direction of the young actors, and evocative cinematography, while finding the film generally favorable overall.
- Which films are like Heartstone?
- Films with a similar feel include God's Own Country, Moonlight, Tomboy, and The Way He Looks.
- How long is Heartstone?
- Heartstone runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch Heartstone?
- In United States, Heartstone streams on Dekkoo Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
