Performance & Direction: Beach Rats Review
Last updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Beach Rats (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Beach Rats features a noteworthy lineup led by Harris Dickinson . Supported by the likes of Madeline Weinstein and Kate Hodge , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Beach Rats (2017) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Beach Rats
Quick Plot Summary: Beach Rats is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. On the outskirts of Brooklyn, Frankie, an aimless teenager, suffocates under the oppressive glare cast by his family and a toxic group of delinquent friends. Struggling with his own identity, Frankie begins to scour hookup sites for older men. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Beach Rats
Ending Breakdown: Beach Rats concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Beach Rats reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Beach Rats?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Beach Rats
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $486.6K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Top Cast: Beach Rats
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Beach Rats Online?
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Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeBeach Rats Parents Guide & Age Rating
2017 AdvisoryWondering about Beach Rats age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Beach Rats is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.1/10, and global collection metrics, Beach Rats stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2017 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beach Rats worth watching?
Beach Rats is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Beach Rats parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Beach Rats identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Beach Rats?
The total duration of Beach Rats is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.
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Critic Reviews for Beach Rats
Harris Dickinson goes out on a bit of a limb with this role - and generally pulls off a convincing effort as a sexually repressed/confused teenager who leads a triple life - with a straight girlfriend; with his macho homophobic mates and when he picks up men online - or on Coney Island pier - for casual sex. The story is nothing new, but this is an edgier and grittier rendition of the coming-out story. I have to say that his character is really not a nice man; he manipulates as far as he can and ultimately gets his just desserts; he is thoughtless, reckless and selfish. It is certainly not for the faint-hearted and at times this is a very slow burn but I suspect that there are many young men going through a similar identity crisis, and dealing with it in much the same way. Watch out for the star, I reckon he is going places....
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
