Beach Rats

A disaffected Brooklyn teenager navigates his suffocating, working-class environment and his strained relationship with his family, seeking escape and connection. He begins a clandestine affair with an older woman while simultaneously exploring his sexuality with other men he meets online. The film captures his volatile journey of self-discovery against the backdrop of a gritty urban landscape.

Beach Rats received critical acclaim for its raw and unflinching portrayal of adolescence, sexuality, and societal pressures. Critics praised its authentic atmosphere, Eliza Hittman's confident direction, and Harris Dickinson's compelling performance. While some found the pacing deliberate, the consensus was that the film offered a powerful and resonant coming-of-age story.

• Praised for its authentic and gritty depiction of teenage angst and exploration of sexuality.

• Harris Dickinson's performance was widely lauded as a breakout role.

• The film's visual style and atmospheric storytelling were frequently highlighted as strengths.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's honest and raw look at a young person's struggles with identity and sexuality, though some found the narrative bleak and unsettling.

Won the Silver Leopard for Best Actor (Harris Dickinson) at the Locarno Film Festival.

Director Eliza Hittman conducted extensive research with teenagers in Brooklyn to authentically capture the film's dialogue and atmosphere.