Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Sports drama

In from the Side (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

In from the Side (2023) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
54%
worldwide gross
$52.9K
Echo Score
77
Loading streaming availability…
In from the Side (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 14m (134 min)
Director
Matt Carter
Genres
Drama , Sport
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in In from the Side

· 5 more
From the director

More from Matt Carter

More films directed by Matt Carter: Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye and Jayson Bend: Queen and Country.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

77 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

In from the Side Box Office

In from the Side grossed $52,885 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$52.9K

International
$52.9K
Videos

In from the Side Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 featurettes.

Official UK Trailer
  • 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
Quiz

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

  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 sport do the characters in the film play?

Details

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
  • ซ่อนรักนอกเกม

Seen In from the Side?

FAQ

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.

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