Beach Rats is the next dark, coming-of-age independent drama scheduled to coincide with the American summer. Written and directed by Eliza Hittman, the award-winning Sundance entry explores the repressed sexuality and confused identity of Brooklyn teenager, Frankie (played by Harris Dickinson).
Starring Harris Dickinson, The film explores Frankie’s aimless spiral between a delinquent clique, a budding heterosexual relationship and a dark addiction to web chats with older men, that soon escalates into meeting with these anonymous men at the beach.
The trailer promises a sinister and haunting, yet beautifully raw portrayal of a teenage boy undergoing tremendous emotional upheaval in his home life, simultaneously questioning his identity and sexuality. It will be interesting to see how this film will be received in this archaic nation marred by the steadfast denial of equality by senior generations and our own government.
While no official Australian premiere date has been announced, Beach Rats will play at the Melbourne International Film Festival on the 13th of August, 2017.