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Adventure drama

Lean on Pete (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Lean on Pete (2018) movie poster

Lean on Pete is a 2018 adventure drama directed by Andrew Haigh, starring Charlie Plummer as Charley, Travis Fimmel and Steve Buscemi. It is based on Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $2.4 million worldwide on a $8 million budget. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$2.4M
Echo Score
83
Lean on Pete (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 1m (121 min)
Director
Andrew Haigh
Genres
Adventure , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Lean on Pete About?

The premise of Lean on Pete without spoilers, adapted from Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Fleeing a difficult past, a young man and his father relocate to Portland, Oregon, hoping for a fresh start. When his father struggles, the boy finds connection and comfort at a local racetrack, where he befriends Lean on Pete, an aging racehorse facing an uncertain future. As circumstances worsen, he sets out on a challenging journey with the horse to find a distant relative, encountering unexpected obstacles and forging a unique bond along the way.

Lean on Pete Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • teenage boy
  • horse
  • horse racing
  • single father
  • teenager
  • orphan
  • runaway
  • coming of age
  • death of father
  • based on novel
  • father son relationship
  • on the road
+38 more
  • pickup truck
  • drunkenness
  • ambulance
  • hospital
  • violence
  • talking to a horse
  • photograph
  • abandoned by mother
  • abandoned by wife
  • obese teenage girl
  • horse trainer
  • street life
  • swimming
  • on the run
  • father's girlfriend
  • lantern
  • crying teenage boy
  • road movie
  • human horse relationship
  • runner
  • portland downs racetrack
  • stable hand
  • death of horse
  • cafe
  • reference to mexico
  • teenage girl
  • horse killed
  • female jockey
  • homelessness
  • hit with a crowbar
  • theft
  • breaking and entering
  • aunt nephew relationship
  • laramie wyoming
  • portland oregon
  • spokane washington
  • dine and dash
  • money
Where to watch

Where to Watch Lean on Pete

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Lean on Pete Cast & Characters

Charlie Plummer leads the cast as Charley, with Travis Fimmel as Ray and Steve Buscemi as Del. Directed by Andrew Haigh; 16 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Lean on Pete Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Lean on Pete 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (68).

83 /100

Lean on Pete Echo Score Breakdown

Lean on Pete excels in nuanced storytelling through authentic performances and striking visual craftsmanship, though its deliberate pacing may test broader audiences. Critics and viewers alike highlight Andrew Haigh’s measured direction and Magnus Nordenhof Jønck’s understated color palette, which together frame a poignant coming-of-age journey. The film’s strong lead work anchors its contemplative mood, while its slight narrative unevenness can feel taxing at times. Overall, Lean on Pete delivers a resonant, character-driven drama with lingering emotional impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of direction and cinematography, Lean on Pete presents a subtle visual aesthetic marked by an understated color palette and careful framing. Reviewers praise the film’s slow-burning authenticity, noting beauty in desolate settings and measured composition. Overall, the art direction delivers cohesive visual storytelling with deliberate restraint.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, Lean on Pete benefits from a standout lead performance and strong supporting work. Charlie Plummer’s nuanced portrayal anchors the film, while contributing actors bring credible chemistry and resonance. A minority of criticism notes uneven character development, but overall the ensemble delivers engaging, emotionally grounded portrayals.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Regarding story and flow, the film adopts a measured pacing that emphasizes contemplative moments and narrative subtlety. Reviewers note that its avoidance of clichés yields a memorable journey, though the slow progression and occasional implausibility can undermine engagement for some. The balanced structure supports thematic depth, resulting in a thoughtful but occasionally uneven narrative.

  • Sensory Experience 87

    In terms of sensory experience, Lean on Pete employs a restrained yet impactful soundtrack and sound design that complement its stark visuals. The film’s visual style features cohesive color grading and immersive location photography, creating a haunting atmosphere. Altogether, the sensory elements work in concert to reinforce the film’s emotional and tonal subtlety.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    With respect to rewatch factor, Lean on Pete leaves a lasting impression through its emotional resonance and subtle thematic layers. While the film’s somber tone and deliberate pacing may limit its appeal for repeated viewing, attentive audiences can uncover additional nuances on subsequent watches. Overall, the film offers moderate replay value grounded in character and mood.

Plot

Lean on Pete Plot Summary

What happens in Lean on Pete 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

While out on an early jog near a racetrack, Charley Thompson, a 15-year-old who has recently relocated with his troubled single father, Ray, to Portland, Oregon, finds himself taking on a casual job caring for a racehorse named Lean On Pete. The horse’s owner, Del, is a grumpy individual who assigns Charley all the hard labor at the stables, though he tries to connect by gifting Charley a pair of boots and teaching him about table manners. As they bond, Charley confides in him about not knowing his birth mother and how Ray forbids him from seeing his Aunt Margy, his only maternal figure.

Full summary

The whole story of Lean on Pete, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Lean on Pete Box Office & Budget

Lean on Pete grossed $2.4 million worldwide on a $8 million budget, 31% of what it cost. $1.2 million came from the US and Canada and $1.3 million (52%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.4M

31% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.2M
International
$1.3M
Budget
$8M
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Videos

Lean on Pete Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip, 1 featurette and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Film4 Trailer
  • Clip Charley learning the ropes
  • Featurette BFI London Film Festival 2017 Q&A
  • Behind the Scenes Andrew Haigh Interview [Audio] (Flickering Myth)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Lean on Pete?

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 is the name of the horse that Charley forms a bond with?

Cars

Cars in Lean on Pete

30 cars on screen, including the 1987 Ford F-350 and the Argosy 24.

All 30 cars
  • 1987 Ford F-350 in Lean on Pete 1987 Ford F-350 Main role
  • Argosy 24 in Lean on Pete Argosy 24 Minor role
  • 1997 Buick Park Avenue in Lean on Pete 1997 Buick Park Avenue Minor role
  • 2003 Chevrolet Express in Lean on Pete 2003 Chevrolet Express Minor role
Details

Lean on Pete Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “La Route Sauvage” and “린 온 피트”.

Also known as
  • La Route Sauvage
  • 린 온 피트
  • Разчитай на Пийт
  • A Rota Selvagem
  • Положитесь на Пита
  • Charley Thompson
  • Опри се на Пит
  • Apóyate en mí
  • Moj prijatelj Pete
  • Osloni se na Pita
  • Γεννημένος Νικητής
  • 賽馬皮特
+11 more
  • 赛马皮特
  • להישען על פיט
  • Polegaj na mnie
  • Apóyate en Mi
  • Покладіться на Піта
  • 荒野にて
  • O Meu Amigo Pete
  • 人馬情深
  • Spoľahni sa na Petea
  • Calul de curse
  • Toetudes Petele

Seen Lean on Pete?

FAQ

Lean on Pete FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Lean on Pete, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Lean on Pete?

Lean on Pete runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).

When was Lean on Pete released?

Lean on Pete was released on April 6, 2018.

Who directed Lean on Pete?

Lean on Pete was directed by Andrew Haigh.

More films by Andrew Haigh

Who is in the cast of Lean on Pete?

Lean on Pete stars Charlie Plummer as Charley, Travis Fimmel as Ray and Steve Buscemi as Del, among 16 credited actors.

Where can I watch Lean on Pete?

In the US, Lean on Pete is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Lean on Pete make at the box office?

Lean on Pete grossed $2.4 million worldwide ($1.2 million domestic, $1.3 million international) on a budget of $8 million.

How is Lean on Pete rated?

Lean on Pete has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Is Lean on Pete based on a book?

Yes. Lean on Pete is adapted from Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin.

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