Overview
In a small town where nothing ever happens, two girls discover the complexities of love and self-acceptance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- restless
- tender
- quiet afternoon
- coming of age film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s charmingly authentic naturalism, credible young performances, and emotionally warm portrayal of teenage life in a small Swedish town.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Elin gradually confronts her attraction to Agnes despite her established reputation with boys and fear of social judgment.
Åmål is portrayed as an insignificant Swedish town where trends arrive late and teenage life feels tightly observed.
The film’s central relationship develops through shy encounters, avoidance, and an unusually credible interaction between Elin and Agnes.
Agnes hides her love for Elin, while Elin desperately avoids considering her own feelings because of the surrounding school and small-town pressures.
Films like Show Me Love, and why
The Way He Looks
naturalistic adolescent romance, queer self-discovery, and emotionally candid small-town setting
Beautiful Thing
tender queer coming-of-age romance shaped by secrecy, peer pressure, and first love
Water Lilies
raw teen intimacy, outsider identity, and understated social realism
Tomboy
authentic youthful longing and self-acceptance in a restrained European coming-of-age drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Lukas Moodysson
- Release Date
- 1998-10-23
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (615)
Cast
- Alexandra Dahlström
- Rebecka Liljeberg
- Erica Carlson
- Stefan Hörberg
- Josefine Nyberg
- Ralph Carlsson
- Maria Hedborg
- Axel Widegren
- Jill Ung
- Lisa Skagerstam
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Fandor Amazon Channel, BFI Player Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel, ARROW
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Show Me Love about?
- Two Swedish teenagers find unexpected courage and first love amid the boredom and scrutiny of a small town.
- What is Show Me Love like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Show Me Love as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Show Me Love violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Show Me Love.
- What did critics think of Show Me Love?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s charmingly authentic naturalism, credible young performances, and emotionally warm portrayal of teenage life in a small Swedish town.
- Which films are like Show Me Love?
- Films with a similar feel include The Way He Looks, Beautiful Thing, Water Lilies, and Tomboy.
- How long is Show Me Love?
- Show Me Love runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch Show Me Love?
- In United States, Show Me Love streams on Fandor Amazon Channel, BFI Player Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel, ARROW.
