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Drama

Suncoast (2024): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Suncoast (2024) movie poster

Suncoast is a 2024 drama directed by Laura Chinn, starring Laura Linney as Kristine, Nico Parker and Cree Kawa. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
76%
Echo Score
74
Metascore
61
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Suncoast (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Laura Chinn
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Suncoast About?

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

Set against Florida's coastline, a rebellious teenager forms an unlikely connection with a passionate activist while grappling with a significant medical case. As she deals with the challenges of her unique family dynamic, she begins to find a sense of belonging and self-discovery.

Suncoast Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • protest
  • dying brother
  • woman
  • activist
  • protester
  • biracial
  • wheelchair
  • mother daughter relationship
  • teenage girl
  • clearwater florida
  • reference to terri schiavo
  • coming of age
+38 more
  • terminal illness
  • christian school
  • 2000s
  • friendship between girls
  • unlikely friendship
  • grief
  • title directed by female
  • florida
  • hugging
  • school uniform
  • year 2005
  • rain
  • teenager
  • young
  • hulu
  • party
  • friendship
  • dancing in the rain
  • smoking
  • smoking cigarette
  • reference to drugs
  • protesting
  • sexual references
  • hospice
  • learning to drive
  • fake identification
  • prom dress
  • prom
  • candle light vigil
  • f rated
  • triple f rated
  • female director
  • female writer
  • brother sister relationship
  • female protagonist
  • teenage protagonist
  • coming of age drama
  • reference to pubic hair
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Cast & crew

Suncoast Cast & Characters

Laura Linney leads the cast as Kristine, with Nico Parker as Doris and Cree Kawa as Max. Directed by Laura Chinn; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Suncoast

· 16 more
Ratings

Suncoast Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Suncoast 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

74 /100

Suncoast Echo Score Breakdown

Suncoast presents a nuanced debut marked by emotional authenticity and strong performances, though uneven pacing and occasional clichés temper its impact. Reviewers consistently praise the film’s heartfelt tone and genuine character interactions, citing the director’s ability to balance drama and subtle humor. While cinematography and score effectively evoke the early 2000s setting, some find the narrative predictability and pacing issues detract from engagement. Despite these flaws, the film’s earnest exploration of grief and growth leaves a thoughtful and often moving impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, Suncoast benefits from unobtrusive direction and evocative cinematography that capture the mid-2000s Florida atmosphere. Production design and editing support a quiet narrative flow, though some reviewers note a glossy quality that feels slightly artificial. Overall, these visual and structural elements establish a cohesive backdrop for the film’s emotional core.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film showcases compelling performances from its leads, with nuanced portrayals that convey authentic grief and warmth. Laura Linney and Nico Parker anchor the emotional narrative, while supporting roles offer moments of genuine tenderness and humor. Despite occasional criticism of younger actors’ uneven delivery, character interactions remain largely resonant.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, Suncoast offers a heartfelt coming-of-age narrative grounded in real-life events, balancing wit with emotional depth. The pacing is measured and occasionally languid, which some viewers find reduces momentum. Plot predictability and thematic clichés emerge at times, but the underlying sincerity and engaging character arcs maintain overall interest throughout the film.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design subtly enhance its understated tone, creating an immersive early 2000s soundscape. Visual style and color palette evoke nostalgia, while editing rhythms support the emotional beats. Although a few critics mention moments of artificial gloss, the cohesive audiovisual presentation largely reinforces the film’s intimate atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch value, Suncoast offers moments of genuine emotional insight and character growth that may reward subsequent viewings. The film’s thoughtful exploration of grief retains its poignancy, though its deliberate pacing and predictable plot structure could lessen appeal for repeat watches. Overall, its authentic tone and strong performances provide moderate lasting impact.

Plot

Suncoast Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Suncoast from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2005, we meet Doris, a teenager living in Florida with her mother, Kristine, and her brother, Max, who is suffering from terminal brain cancer. As the family navigates this heartbreaking journey, Doris dedicates her teenage years to caring for Max while Kristine spends most of her time working. The situation reaches a critical point when Max is admitted to Suncoast Hospice for end-of-life care, a facility that is also home to Terri Schiavo, whose widely publicized case garners considerable media attention and draws protests outside.

Full summary

The whole story of Suncoast, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Suncoast Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Clip "Get In The Back" Clip
  • Clip "Doris Come Here" Clip
  • Featurette "Coming Of Age" Featurette
  • Featurette Film Independent Presents: SUNCOAST Q&A with Laura Chinn & Bruce Francis Cole
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Suncoast?

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 main teenage character?

Details

Suncoast Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “썬코스트” and “Torneremo a divertirci, io e te”.

Also known as
  • 썬코스트
  • Torneremo a divertirci, io e te
  • חוף השמש
  • Солнечное побережье
  • 阳光海岸成长日记
  • Сунчана обала
  • ساحل آفتاب
  • 陽光海岸成長記
  • Saulėta pakrantė

Seen Suncoast?

FAQ

Suncoast FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Suncoast, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Suncoast?

Suncoast runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Suncoast released?

Suncoast was released on February 2, 2024.

Who directed Suncoast?

Suncoast was directed by Laura Chinn.

More films by Laura Chinn

Who is in the cast of Suncoast?

Suncoast stars Laura Linney as Kristine, Nico Parker as Doris and Cree Kawa as Max, among 20 credited actors.

How is Suncoast rated?

Suncoast has 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Suncoast have a post-credit scene?

No. Suncoast has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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