Beats (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Beats is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Brian Welsh, starring Stephen McCole as Sergeant Ian Black, Amy Manson and Laura Fraser. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $318,729 worldwide. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Brian Welsh
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Music Box Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Beats About?
The premise of Beats without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in Scotland during 1994, this film follows two close friends as they experience one final, energetic adventure together. As the sun sets, they embrace a farewell celebration filled with music, laughter, and unpredictable moments. The experience forces them to confront the reality of their changing futures and the diverging paths that lie ahead.
Beats Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- 1990s
- boy boy friendship
- rave
- electronic music
- straight boys kiss
- teenage boy
- scotland
- gay kiss
- bare chested male
- bare chested boy
- year 1994
- homoerotic subtext
+38 more Show fewer
- male male hug
- two men share a bed
- friendship between boys
- gay interest
- homoerotic friendship
- penis
- white briefs
- briefs
- tighty whities
- dancing in underwear
- motorcycle
- riding a motorcycle
- stacking shelves
- boom box
- dancing in one's underwear
- policeman
- police car
- popping the cork
- opening a bottle
- england
- transistor radio
- cursing
- swearing
- popping a cork
- slapping one's own face
- popping a champagne cork
- bully
- hit someone in the face
- stealing money
- drinking alcohol
- drinking beer
- flashlight
- graffiti
- punched in the face
- best friend
- man wears underwear
- man dances wearing his underwear
- man rides a motorcycle
Beats Cast & Characters
Stephen McCole leads the cast as Sergeant Ian Black, with Amy Manson as Cat and Laura Fraser as Alison. Directed by Brian Welsh; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Brian Welsh
-
Stephen McCole as Sergeant Ian Black -
Amy Manson as Cat - Laura Fraser as Alison
- Rachel Jackson as Wendy
Also Starring in Beats
· 8 more- Kevin Mains Les
- Brian Ferguson Robert
- Lorn Macdonald Spanner
- Neil Leiper Fido
- Ryan Fletcher PC Billy Moncreif
- Cristian Ortega Johnno
- Martin Donaghy Colin
- Ross Mann D-Man
More from Brian Welsh
More films directed by Brian Welsh: The Rack Pack and Glasgow Girls.
Beats Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Beats 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (72).
Beats Echo Score Breakdown
Beats delivers an engaging coming-of-age drama that captures the spirit of 1990s rave culture with authentic energy and a heartfelt central relationship. Critics praised its flowing mix of humor and sincerity, though some note stylistic ambitions occasionally feel derivative. Viewers at times found character scenarios uneven and soundtrack choices predictable, but most agree the genuine bond and cultural setting resonate. Overall, the film strikes a warm balance of emotional depth and period atmosphere, resulting in a moderately high replay appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, Beats authentically channels the energy of 1990s rave culture with deliberate production design and measured editing. Critics highlighted its immersive recreation of club interiors and flowing camera work, though some noted occasional stylistic overreach that feels derivative. The film’s visual style effectively anchors the period setting, resulting in a solid but fallible craft presentation.
- Character & Emotion 88
When it comes to character and emotion, Beats excels with a nuanced portrayal of friendship and vulnerability. Multiple observations emphasize the sincere bond, witty banter, and compelling chemistry between leads, while a minority found certain personalities unsympathetic. Overall, the performances anchor the film, offering heartfelt resonance that carries through most of the narrative.
- Story & Flow 82
In terms of story and flow, Beats delivers a straightforward coming-of-age narrative with moments of genuine warmth and humor. Many praised the coherent pacing and relatable stakes, though critics and some viewers remarked on familiar beats and a few uneven plot transitions. Despite these inconsistencies, the film maintains engagement through its emotional undercurrents and cultural setting.
- Sensory Experience 76
When evaluating the sensory experience, Beats effectively blends period-appropriate rave tracks with ambient score and crisp sound design. Observers commend its recreation of pulsating club atmospheres and cohesive visual motifs, even as a few found the soundtrack selections occasionally predictable. The audiovisual elements generally enhance immersion, striking a balance between authenticity and mainstream appeal.
- Rewatch Factor 72
Regarding rewatch potential, Beats benefits from its emotional core and cultural nostalgia, inviting viewers to revisit the central friendship and period details. However, stylistic unevenness and familiar narrative turns may limit the desire for repeated viewings. On balance, the film offers moderate replay value, sustained by its heartfelt moments and rave-era charm.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 97% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 75%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
104 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
Beats Plot Summary
What happens in Beats from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As the African sun casts its golden rays over the vast savannah, a harrowing event unfolds: a group of poachers, intent on harming the wildlife, find themselves at the mercy of a fierce lion. This relentless predator decisively asserts its dominance, leaving no doubt about its rule in this harsh environment.
Full summary
The whole story of Beats, scene by scene
Beats Box Office
Beats grossed $318,729 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$318.7K
- International
- $318.7K
Beats Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Beats.
How Well Do You Know Beats?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the role of Dr. Nate Samuels?
Cars in Beats
27 cars on screen, including the 1984 Ford Sierra XR4i MkI and the unknown.
-
1984 Ford Sierra XR4i MkI Important role -
unknown Important role -
1976 Volvo 245 Important role -
1990 Audi 100 C3 Minor role
Beats Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Ritem udarcev” and “Reivs”.
- Also known as
-
- Ritem udarcev
- Reivs
- Рейв
- 狂躁节拍
- 비츠
- Біти
- Reivas
- מקצב
Seen Beats?
Movies Like Beats
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Beat, Beat Street and The Beat Generation.
Beats FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Beats, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Beats?
Beats runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was Beats released?
Beats was released on June 26, 2020.
Who directed Beats?
Beats was directed by Brian Welsh.
More films by Brian Welsh Who is in the cast of Beats?
Beats stars Stephen McCole as Sergeant Ian Black, Amy Manson as Cat and Laura Fraser as Alison, among 12 credited actors.
How much did Beats make at the box office?
Beats grossed $318,729 worldwide.
How is Beats rated?
Beats has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Beats have a post-credit scene?
No. Beats has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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