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Comedy drama

Dating Amber (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Dating Amber (2020) movie poster

Dating Amber is a 2020 comedy drama directed by David Freyne, starring Lola Petticrew as Amber, Fionn O'Shea and Lauryn Canny. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $87,071 worldwide. It won 2 awards from 6 nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the IFTA Awards 2021. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$87.1K
awards won
2
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Dating Amber (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
David Freyne
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dating Amber About?

The premise of Dating Amber without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set in 1990s Ireland, this story follows Eddie and Amber, who devise a plan to appear as a couple in an attempt to avoid unwanted attention. Eddie is pursuing a career following in his father's military path, while Amber dreams of a more liberal life in London. As their fabricated relationship becomes more complicated, the charade threatens to jeopardize Eddie’s ambitions and Amber’s chance at a brighter future.

Dating Amber Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • coming of age
  • secretly gay
  • closeted teenager
  • year 1995
  • gay man lesbian woman relationship
  • ireland
  • gay teenager
  • kildare ireland
  • two word title
  • gay interest
  • lesbian interest
  • gay character
+38 more
  • gay kiss
  • gay man lesbian friendship
  • gay slur
  • gay bar
  • gay nightclub
  • irish brogue
  • gay protagonist
  • closeted homosexual
  • gay
  • lgbt
  • red hair
  • lesbian character
  • lesbian main character
  • lesbian lead character
  • brother brother relationship
  • husband wife relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • father son relationship
  • parent child relationship
  • closet case
  • bully
  • being bullied
  • bicycle
  • riding a bicycle
  • holding hands
  • fake date
  • military
  • irish free state army
  • army base
  • irish army
  • pretending to be straight
  • lesbian teen
  • pretending to be a couple
  • teenage girl
  • teenage boy
  • friendship
  • lesbian
  • oral sex
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Cast & crew

Dating Amber Cast & Characters

Lola Petticrew leads the cast as Amber, with Fionn O'Shea as Eddie and Lauryn Canny as Sarah. Directed by David Freyne; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dating Amber

· 6 more
From the director

More from David Freyne

More films directed by David Freyne, best-rated first: Eternity, The Cured and The First Wave.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dating Amber Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dating Amber 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in sensory experience (75).

85 /100

Dating Amber Echo Score Breakdown

Dating Amber succeeds as a heartfelt coming-of-age dramedy with charming performances and a cohesive narrative. The ensemble cast delivers nuanced portrayals that anchor the film’s exploration of friendship and identity, while the steady pacing and occasional hooks maintain engagement throughout. Visually, the understated cinematography complements the intimate tone, and the warmth of the central relationship gives the movie enduring appeal. On balance, Dating Amber leaves an affirmative impression as an engaging and emotionally resonant story.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Dating Amber presents a consistent visual polish under modest production constraints. The direction maintains a clear focus on character interactions, and the understated color palette supports the film’s intimate tone. While editing choices allow for coherent scene transitions, the production design remains functional rather than elaborate. Overall, the film’s art direction contributes solidly to its mood without drawing attention away from the central narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from deeply invested performances that foreground the protagonists’ vulnerabilities. The leads convey layered emotional arcs, generating genuine empathy and a sense of authenticity in their growing bond. Supporting roles reinforce the emotional stakes through subtle interactions. Altogether, the character work fosters meaningful connection and drives the narrative’s emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of story and flow, Dating Amber balances familiar coming-of-age beats with moments of genuine insight. The narrative unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the friendship to evolve naturally even when certain plot turns feel predictable. Occasional tonal shifts inject freshness, but the overall structure adheres to conventional genre rhythms. Ultimately, the story remains engaging through its sincere portrayal of adolescent discovery.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When considering sensory experience, the film relies on an unobtrusive soundtrack and clean sound design to support rather than overwhelm the drama. The visual style leverages a restrained color scheme and naturalistic lighting, creating an intimate atmosphere. While there are no standout audio flourishes or bold stylistic risks, the minimalistic approach maintains coherence and aligns with the film’s emotional tone. In sum, the sensory elements reinforce the story’s subtle charm.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    In terms of rewatch value, Dating Amber offers enduring appeal through its relatable themes and subtle humor. The emotional sincerity and character chemistry invite repeat viewings, as audiences may discover new nuances in performances. Although the narrative remains mostly straightforward, its warmth and thematic resonance hold up over time. On further viewing, the film’s quiet moments and character interplay continue to reward engagement.

Plot

Dating Amber Plot Summary

What happens in Dating Amber from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds in 1995, set against the backdrop of The Curragh, Ireland, where two teenagers, Eddie and Amber, find themselves marginalized and deeply affected by continuous homophobic harassment. In a bid for safety and acceptance, they decide to present themselves as a straight couple, masking their true selves from their conservative rural community.

Full summary

The whole story of Dating Amber, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Dating Amber Box Office

Dating Amber grossed $87,071 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$87.1K

International
$87.1K
Awards

Dating Amber Awards & Nominations

Dating Amber won 2 awards from 6 nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the IFTA Awards 2021.

2 wins6 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Dating Amber Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Dating Amber | Official Trailer | Prime Video
  • Clip Dating Amber - Big Gay Wall
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dating Amber?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the movie take place?

Details

Dating Amber Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Beards” and “Mi novia de mentira”.

Also known as
  • Beards
  • Mi novia de mentira
  • Jak jsem chodil s Amber
  • Jak jsem randil s Amber
  • 拍拖故事
  • Rande na oko
  • Randki z Amber
  • Le plan d'Amber
  • Treffit Amberin kanssa
  • לצאת עם אמבר
  • 데이팅 앰버
  • Meus Encontros com Amber
+4 more
  • 恋人はアンバー
  • 酷愛自修室
  • Surto amb l’Amber
  • Randizni Amberrel

Seen Dating Amber?

FAQ

Dating Amber FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Dating Amber, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dating Amber?

Dating Amber runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Dating Amber released?

Dating Amber was released on November 10, 2020.

Who directed Dating Amber?

Dating Amber was directed by David Freyne.

More films by David Freyne

Who is in the cast of Dating Amber?

Dating Amber stars Lola Petticrew as Amber, Fionn O'Shea as Eddie and Lauryn Canny as Sarah, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Dating Amber make at the box office?

Dating Amber grossed $87,071 worldwide.

How is Dating Amber rated?

Dating Amber has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

What awards did Dating Amber win?

Dating Amber won 2 awards from 6 nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the IFTA Awards 2021.

Does Dating Amber have a post-credit scene?

No. Dating Amber has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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