Overview
A heartfelt exploration of friendship and identity in a challenging environment.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- sincere
- warm
- teen movie night
- inclusive movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found it charming and well acted, with a fresh, topical variation on the coming-of-age formula despite some conventional elements.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ned Roche and rugby star Conor Masters become roommates and form an unexpected bond despite their contrasting reputations.
The all-boys boarding school's rugby hierarchy pressures students to perform a narrow version of acceptable male identity.
Conor's sexuality and the homophobic reactions around him test the school's social norms and the boys' friendship.
The film contrasts Ned's musical interests and English teacher Dan Sherry's encouragement with the school's rugby obsession.
Films like Handsome Devil, and why
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
shared lgbtq coming-of-age themes, school setting, homophobia, and emotionally warm social drama
Dead Poets Society
shared boarding-school atmosphere, outsider friendship, youthful self-discovery, and resistance to institutional conformity
Love, Simon
shared queer coming-of-age focus, intimate friendship, social pressure, and gently uplifting tone
Beautiful Thing
shared school-based lgbtq themes, bullying, identity, and sincere character-driven drama
Movie Details
- Director
- John Butler
- Release Date
- 2017-02-15
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (714)
Cast
- Fionn O'Shea
- Nicholas Galitzine
- Andrew Scott
- Ardal O'Hanlon
- Amy Huberman
- Ruairí O'Connor
- Michael McElhatton
- Moe Dunford
- Mark Doherty
- Hugh O'Conor
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Handsome Devil about?
- At an Irish boarding school, an isolated student and a celebrated rugby player discover that friendship can challenge the masculinity and prejudice governing their world.
- What is Handsome Devil like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Handsome Devil as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Handsome Devil violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Handsome Devil.
- What did critics think of Handsome Devil?
- Critics broadly found it charming and well acted, with a fresh, topical variation on the coming-of-age formula despite some conventional elements.
- Which films are like Handsome Devil?
- Films with a similar feel include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Dead Poets Society, Love, Simon, and Beautiful Thing.
- How long is Handsome Devil?
- Handsome Devil runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Handsome Devil?
- In United States, Handsome Devil is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Fandango At Home.
