Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- intimate
- bleak
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's intimate atmosphere, Harris Dickinson's restrained performance, and psychologically honest portrayal of masculine performance, while finding its unresolved violence and ending divisive.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Frankie shifts between macho friendships, heterosexual dating, and encounters with men while policing how others perceive him.
Critics specifically praised Hélène Louvart's 16 mm photography and Hittman's reliance on visual detail and atmosphere.
Frankie's conflicting desires remain psychologically unsettled, and critics noted that the film avoids easy takeaways or absolutes.
The story places Frankie among Coney Island spaces, delinquent peers, family pressures, and anonymous online encounters.
Films like Beach Rats, and why
Moonlight
intimate lgbtq coming-of-age drama with repressed masculinity, melancholy atmosphere, and unresolved identity conflict
God's Own Country
naturalistic queer youth drama centered on sexual identity, social pressure, and emotionally guarded characters
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
bleak, intimate coming-of-age film using coastal spaces and sexual uncertainty to explore alienation
Mysterious Skin
psychologically tense queer drama about hidden desire, shame, and performed masculinity
Movie Details
- Director
- Eliza Hittman
- Release Date
- 2017-08-25
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (608)
Cast
- Harris Dickinson
- Madeline Weinstein
- Kate Hodge
- Neal Huff
- Nicole Flyus
- Frank Hakaj
- David Ivanov
- Anton Selyaninov
- Harrison Sheehan
- Douglas Everett Davis
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Beach Rats about?
- A closeted Brooklyn teenager performs toughness across three incompatible social worlds while searching for intimacy he cannot openly claim.
- What is Beach Rats like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Beach Rats as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Beach Rats violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Beach Rats as moderate.
- What did critics think of Beach Rats?
- Critics broadly praised the film's intimate atmosphere, Harris Dickinson's restrained performance, and psychologically honest portrayal of masculine performance, while finding its unresolved violence and ending divisive.
- Which films are like Beach Rats?
- Films with a similar feel include Moonlight, God's Own Country, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, and Mysterious Skin.
- How long is Beach Rats?
- Beach Rats runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Beach Rats?
- In United States, Beach Rats is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
