Overview
An aspiring rapper fights for her dreams against all odds in a gritty New Jersey backdrop.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- scrappy
- witty
- sincere
- music movie night
- inspirational movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film’s familiar underdog structure effective because of its fresh character elements, warm appeal, and Danielle Macdonald’s breakout performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Patricia pursues rap stardom while living in a struggling New Jersey community and supporting strained family relationships.
Patricia reinvents herself as Killa P and Patti Cake$ while challenging dismissive expectations about her body, background, and abilities.
Patti’s rap writing, recording sessions, and public performances provide the clearest expressions of her confidence and artistic voice.
The story’s downtrodden New Jersey hometown supplies Patti’s obstacles, family pressures, collaborators, and sense of place.
Films like Patti Cake$, and why
8 Mile
aspiring rapper confronts economic hardship through gritty, earnest hip-hop ambition
Hustle & Flow
working-class musician pursues artistic credibility amid personal and social obstacles
The Wrestler
warm, character-driven underdog drama about creative ambition and self-belief
Sing Street
music-centered coming-of-age story balancing family strain, local identity, and performance
Movie Details
- Director
- Geremy Jasper
- Release Date
- 2017-08-18
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (216)
Cast
- Danielle Macdonald
- Bridget Everett
- Siddharth Dhananjay
- Mamoudou Athie
- Cathy Moriarty
- McCaul Lombardi
- Patrick Brana
- Wass Stevens
- Adam Scarimbolo
- John Sharian
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Patti Cake$ about?
- A determined New Jersey rapper turns hardship, family friction, and raw talent into a scrappy bid for musical recognition.
- What is Patti Cake$ like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Patti Cake$ as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Patti Cake$ violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Patti Cake$ as mild.
- What did critics think of Patti Cake$?
- Critics broadly found the film’s familiar underdog structure effective because of its fresh character elements, warm appeal, and Danielle Macdonald’s breakout performance.
- Which films are like Patti Cake$?
- Films with a similar feel include 8 Mile, Hustle & Flow, The Wrestler, and Sing Street.
- How long is Patti Cake$?
- Patti Cake$ runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Patti Cake$?
- In United States, Patti Cake$ streams on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
