Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- tense
- nostalgic
- reflective viewing
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics generally view the film as a sincere, emotionally affecting independent drama, though its execution is uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The premise explicitly presents a man recounting the summer of 1994 from a later vantage point.
The brothers plot revenge against their abusive father, making survival within a violent household the dramatic engine.
The boys' revenge scheme gives the summer narrative an adventurous surface while the abusive home life creates serious emotional weight.
The central action is jointly planned by two brothers confronting their abusive father.
Films like Rockaway, and why
This Boy's Life
coming-of-age drama centered on sibling loyalty, family trauma, and escape from an abusive home
The Glass Castle
intimate autobiographical family drama about childhood, domestic abuse, and emotional survival
The Sandlot
nostalgic summer coming-of-age story shaped by working-class family conflict and youthful solidarity
Movie Details
- Director
- John J. Budion
- Release Date
- 2019-01-11
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (24)
Cast
- Keidrich Sellati
- Maxwell Apple
- James DiGiacomo
- Tanner Flood
- Colin Critchley
- Harrison Wittmeyer
- Nolan Lyons
- Sophia Rose
- Wass Stevens
- Marjan Neshat
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- 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 Rockaway about?
- Two brothers turn a formative summer into a dangerous plan to resist the father whose abuse controls their family.
- What is Rockaway like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rockaway as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Rockaway violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Rockaway as moderate.
- What did critics think of Rockaway?
- Critics generally view the film as a sincere, emotionally affecting independent drama, though its execution is uneven.
- Which films are like Rockaway?
- Films with a similar feel include This Boy's Life, The Glass Castle, and The Sandlot.
- How long is Rockaway?
- Rockaway runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rockaway?
- In United States, Rockaway streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
