Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Romantic comedy

Fire Island (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Fire Island (2022) movie poster

Fire Island is a 2022 romantic comedy directed by Andrew Ahn, starring Joel Kim Booster as Noah, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. It was made on a reported $10 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2023. Critics gave it 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
award nomination
1
Echo Score
71
Metascore
72
Loading streaming availability…
Fire Island (2022) movie poster
Released
Director
Andrew Ahn
Genres
Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Studio
Hulu
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Fire Island About?

The premise of Fire Island without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A group of close friends spend their summer vacation in the lively beach town of Fire Island. As they enjoy sun-soaked days and rosé-fueled nights, two of the friends, played by Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang, explore themes of love, identity, and the complexities of long-lasting friendships. The story is a modern, unapologetic romantic comedy drawing inspiration from the timeless themes of Pride and Prejudice, celebrating queerness and the bonds that define them.

Fire Island Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gay
  • gay protagonist
  • gay scene
  • gay kiss
  • gay sex
  • gay oral sex
  • lgbt
  • friendship
  • fire island
  • gay interest
  • talking about gay sex
  • gay comedy
+38 more
  • gay romantic comedy
  • gay sex tape
  • gay actor gay character
  • location in title
  • vacation
  • trip
  • love
  • joke
  • modern
  • new york city
  • friend
  • group
  • hulu
  • buddy comedy
  • feel good romance
  • bare chested male
  • bare chested man
  • reference to jane austen
  • reference to jackie chan
  • reference to twitter
  • reference to facetime
  • watching sunset
  • sunset over the ocean
  • reference to amazon
  • throwing up
  • reference to bernie sanders
  • reference to costco
  • deer
  • reading a book
  • reference to amy schumer
  • reference to '60 minutes' the news program
  • male male kiss
  • sit ups
  • eating ice cream
  • male rear nudity
  • male nudity
  • crashing waves
  • swearing
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Fire Island Cast & Characters

Joel Kim Booster leads the cast as Noah, with Bowen Yang as Howie and Matt Rogers as Luke. Directed by Andrew Ahn; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Fire Island

· 7 more
From the director

More from Andrew Ahn

More films directed by Andrew Ahn, best-rated first: Driveways, The Wedding Banquet, Spa Night and 30/30 Vision: Three Decades of Strand Releasing.

Full filmography
Ratings

Fire Island Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Fire Island 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in rewatch factor (80) and weakest in story & flow (60).

71 /100

Fire Island Echo Score Breakdown

Fire Island delivers a lively, LGBTQ‑focused rom‑com that leans more toward enjoyment than depth. Critics highlight its spirited updates to Austen and witty dialogue, while some note formulaic plot beats and limited character development. Audience reactions echo this split, praising the humor, representation, and soundtrack, yet pointing to superficial storytelling. The film’s visual flair and cast chemistry give it charm, but its reliance on genre conventions tempers its lasting impact, yielding a moderately positive overall impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the direction by Andrew Ahn is generally praised for handling multiple plot lines and tonal shifts. Reviewers acknowledge competent cinematography and a polished production design that captures the island setting. However, some critics describe portions as cloying and formulaic, suggesting uneven execution. Overall, the visual and editorial work is solid but not consistently outstanding.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When evaluating character and emotion, the ensemble cast receives commendation for delivering heartfelt and witty performances. Critics note nuanced chemistry among leads and a cast that brings authenticity to the gay experience. Conversely, a number of reviewers point out underdeveloped arcs and shallow characterizations, especially in early scenes. The net effect is a respectable but occasionally uneven portrayal of depth and resonance.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Story and flow are viewed as a mix of engaging and conventional. The film’s premise—an Austen‑inspired gay rom‑com—offers originality, and pacing is described as breezy by several critics. Yet, many observations cite predictable plot points and a reliance on familiar tropes, labeling it a quick diversion rather than a lasting narrative. Consequently, the storytelling is enjoyable yet limited in lasting originality.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory experience stands out, with reviewers highlighting a vibrant indie‑pop soundtrack and lively sound design that complement the film’s tone. Visual style, including bright island aesthetics and polished cinematography, reinforces the celebratory mood. The auditory and visual elements consistently receive positive remarks, contributing to an immersive and upbeat atmosphere throughout the movie.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Rewatch factor is strong; both critics and users frequently mention the film’s repeatable humor, memorable lines, and feel‑good energy. The combination of witty dialogue, charming cast interactions, and an uplifting soundtrack encourages multiple viewings. While some view it as a simple diversion, its entertaining qualities and cultural representation give it significant replay appeal.

Plot

Fire Island Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Fire Island from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds with Noah (Joel Kim Booster), a young gay man, who wakes up after a fleeting one-night stand. He finds himself bombarded with missed texts and calls from his close-knit group of friends, who are gearing up for their annual summer getaway to Fire Island, a vibrant destination off Long Island, New York. Joining his “sisters”—Keegan (Tomas Matos), Luke (Matt Rogers), Max (Torian Miller), and Howie (Bowen Yang)—Noah sets sail to the island to reconnect and unwind.

Full summary

The whole story of Fire Island, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Awards

Fire Island Awards & Nominations

Fire Island earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2023.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Fire Island Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 4 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip "Heads Up" Clip
  • Clip "I’m a Doctor" Clip
  • Featurette “Putting The Pride in Pride & Prejudice” Featurette
  • Featurette "Welcome to Fire Island" Featurette
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Fire Island?

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

Who is Noah's spiritual sibling?

Details

Fire Island Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “火烧岛” and “热恋彩虹岛”.

Also known as
  • 火烧岛
  • 热恋彩虹岛
  • ファイアー・アイランド
  • Orgullo y seducción
  • Orgullo & seducción
  • 파이어 아일랜드
  • Fire Island: Orgulho & Sedução
  • Файер-Айленд
  • 熱戀彩虹島
  • Fire Island: Orgullo y Seducción
  • פייר איילנד
  • Файр-Айленд

Seen Fire Island?

FAQ

Fire Island FAQ: Cast, Awards & Release Date

Release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Fire Island, each answered in a sentence.

When was Fire Island released?

Fire Island was released on June 3, 2022.

Who directed Fire Island?

Fire Island was directed by Andrew Ahn.

More films by Andrew Ahn

Who is in the cast of Fire Island?

Fire Island stars Joel Kim Booster as Noah, Bowen Yang as Howie and Matt Rogers as Luke, among 11 credited actors.

What was the budget of Fire Island?

Fire Island had a reported budget of $10 million.

How is Fire Island rated?

Fire Island has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 72 on Metacritic, 70% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Fire Island nominated for any awards?

Fire Island received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Fire Island have a post-credit scene?

No. Fire Island has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app