Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- energetic
- witty
- nostalgic
- nostalgic music night
- road trip movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found lively energy and visual style undermined by a clichéd story and choppy direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The teenage band's mission to reach The Stone Roses' Spike Island concert tests friendships while influencing what each member does next.
The film foregrounds teenage devotion to The Stone Roses and the late-1980s/early-1990s Manchester music milieu.
The protagonists travel toward Spike Island to deliver their demo and attend the band's monumental outdoor gig.
The film combines road-trip momentum, concert anticipation, and the distinctive atmosphere of teenage life in northern England.
Films like Spike Island, and why
The Boat That Rocked
british coming of age drama centered on adolescent friendship, music culture, and a formative journey
24 Hour Party People
music-driven british youth story balancing exuberant humor with changing friendships and uncertain futures
The Inbetweeners Movie
nostalgic coming of age film about teenage camaraderie, subcultural identity, and a defining day out
Sing Street
warm, music-centered youth drama involving friendship, aspiration, and a journey toward a major event
Movie Details
- Director
- Mat Whitecross
- Release Date
- 2012-10-11
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (81)
Cast
- Elliott Tittensor
- Emilia Clarke
- Nico Mirallegro
- Adam Long
- Jordan Murphy
- Oliver Heald
- Robert James-Collier
- Matthew McNulty
- Steve Evets
- Lesley Manville
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Fandor, Fandor Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Spike Island about?
- A restless Manchester youth band risks everything to reach The Stone Roses at a defining concert, discovering that growing up may mean moving in different directions.
- What is Spike Island like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Spike Island as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Spike Island violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Spike Island.
- What did critics think of Spike Island?
- Critics broadly found lively energy and visual style undermined by a clichéd story and choppy direction.
- Which films are like Spike Island?
- Films with a similar feel include The Boat That Rocked, 24 Hour Party People, The Inbetweeners Movie, and Sing Street.
- How long is Spike Island?
- Spike Island runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Spike Island?
- In United States, Spike Island streams on Philo, Fandor, Fandor Amazon Channel.
