In from the Side (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
In from the Side is a 2023 sports drama directed by Matt Carter, starring Alexander Lincoln as Mark, Alexander King and Peter McPherson. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes and earned $52,885 worldwide. Critics gave it 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 14m (134 min)
- Director
- Matt Carter
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Strand Releasing
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is In from the Side About?
The premise of In from the Side without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A group of gay athletes on a struggling team, known as the "B Squad," face challenges both on and off the field. Romantic Mark finds himself drawn to the charismatic Warren, but Warren's heart is shrouded in secrets. The story explores the struggles of love, loyalty, and commitment as the athletes navigate their personal lives and strive for success.
In from the Side Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gay interest
- gay
- gay rugby player
- rugby
- gay sex
- gay rugbyman
- gay attraction
- gay crush
- homoerotica
- gay kiss
- gay romance
- gay erotica
+38 more Show fewer
- gay scene
- male nudity
- man showering
- male wears underwear
- bare chested male
- men showering together
- man looks at a man's butt
- male butt crack
- man undresses
- male frontal nudity
- male rear nudity
- affair
- homoerotism
- man wears a suit
- man licks a man
- male male dance
- surprise gay kiss
- implied sex in toilet
- implied gay sex
- two men share a bed
- male male hug
- male nipples
- gay protagonist
- gay lovers
- gay bearded man
- locker room
- male vomiting
- boy friend cheating on boy friend
- subway
- gay man gay man friendship
- gay love
- male star appears nude
- gay affair
- gay cinema
- bearded male
- shower
- rugbyman
- sportsman
In from the Side Cast & Characters
Alexander Lincoln leads the cast as Mark, with Alexander King as Warren and Peter McPherson as John. Directed by Matt Carter; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director Matt Carter
- Alexander Lincoln as Mark
- Alexander King as Warren
- Peter McPherson as John
- William Hearle as Henry
Also Starring in In from the Side
· 5 more- Carl Loughlin Gareth
- Christopher Sherwood Jimmy
- Pearse Egan Pinky
- Chris Garner Stuart
- Ivan Comisso Carlos
More from Matt Carter
More films directed by Matt Carter: Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye and Jayson Bend: Queen and Country.
In from the Side Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave In from the Side 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in sensory experience (72).
In from the Side Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, In from the Side lands in the modest‑positive range, delivering a heartfelt LGBTQ romance despite uneven execution. Critics acknowledge competent direction and striking rugby sequences, while many viewers praise the emotional core and replay value. However, the script’s pacing issues and occasional tonal lulls undermine narrative cohesion. The mixed but generally favorable reception translates into a solid aggregate score.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
Art and craft show flashes of competence, especially in the rugby cinematography and composed shot composition. Critics note the director’s ability to render match scenes vivid, and several viewers commend the visual polish. Nonetheless, repeated remarks about a sluggish edit and uneven pacing highlight deficiencies in post‑production. The net effect is a reasonably capable but imperfect visual presentation.
- Character & Emotion 78
Character and emotion receive mixed appraisal; performances by the leads are frequently described as authentic and engaging, resonating with audiences who find the romance moving. Critics, however, criticize the deeper development of supporting roles, calling many characters sketch‑like. The disparity between strong central portrayals and flatter peripheral figures yields a generally favorable yet uneven character landscape.
- Story & Flow 73
Story and flow are noted for a heartfelt central romance that many viewers find compelling and worth revisiting. Yet several critics point to a boggy script, sluggish pacing, and tonal inconsistencies that dilute narrative momentum. While the emotional payoff resonates, the uneven storytelling prevents the film from achieving a consistently engaging arc.
- Sensory Experience 72
Sensory experience benefits from vivid rugby footage and an overall polished visual style, earning commendation for its cinematography. Conversely, a number of users highlight erratic sound mixing, with moments of excessive loudness and muted dialogue. The contrast yields a sensory profile that is visually appealing but sonically inconsistent.
- Rewatch Factor 80
Rewatch factor is elevated by a narrative that reveals additional layers upon subsequent viewings, as noted by audiences who find the second watch more comprehensible and rewarding. The film’s emotional resonance and character dynamics encourage repeat engagement, though its length and pacing may deter some viewers. Overall, the movie sustains moderate replay appeal.
-
IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 54% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 89%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 42 Metascore
User score 3.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
43 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
In from the Side Plot Summary
What happens in In from the Side from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the bustling heart of London’s gay rugby scene, Mark Newton finds himself entwined in an intense affair with Warren Hunt, a prominent player on the A team, as he faces the challenges of both passion and secrecy. Both men are trapped in unsatisfactory long-term relationships; Warren is involved with John, another A-team star, while Mark navigates his connection to Richard, who permits their open relationship on the condition that Mark keeps him updated on his escapades.
As their affair spirals deeper, the complexity of their lives becomes alarming. Henry Michaels, a newcomer to the rugby world and drawn to Mark, struggles with his unresolved feelings and turns to alcohol in his pursuit of connection, deepening his emotional solitude.
Full summary
The whole story of In from the Side, scene by scene
In from the Side Box Office
In from the Side grossed $52,885 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$52.9K
- International
- $52.9K
In from the Side Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 featurettes.
- Featurette IN FROM THE SIDE - Director Matt Carter Talks Gender Politics
- Featurette IN FROM THE SIDE - Actor Christopher Sherwood on Gay Sports Clubs
- Featurette IN FROM THE SIDE - Director Matt Carter on Monogamy & Gay Relationships
- Featurette IN FROM THE SIDE - Actor Christopher Sherwood on Sport Culture
How Well Do You Know In from the Side?
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
What sport do the characters in the film play?
In from the Side Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “Dans la mêlée” and “欖不住的愛”.
- Also known as
-
- Dans la mêlée
- 欖不住的愛
- Со стороны
- 플레잉 타임
- 不期而遇
- Seitenspiel
- מהצד
- Dentro del campo
- Dins el camp
- Szerelem az utánpótlásból
- Ao Seu Lado
- З боку
+1 more Show fewer
- ซ่อนรักนอกเกม
Seen In from the Side?
Movies Like In from the Side
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Guys and Balls, Side Out and Eleven Men Out.
In from the Side FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of In from the Side, each answered in a sentence.
How long is In from the Side?
In from the Side runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).
When was In from the Side released?
In from the Side was released on January 20, 2023.
Who directed In from the Side?
In from the Side was directed by Matt Carter.
More films by Matt Carter Who is in the cast of In from the Side?
In from the Side stars Alexander Lincoln as Mark, Alexander King as Warren and Peter McPherson as John, among 9 credited actors.
How much did In from the Side make at the box office?
In from the Side grossed $52,885 worldwide.
How is In from the Side rated?
In from the Side has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, 42 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
Does In from the Side have a post-credit scene?
No. In from the Side has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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