Do you want to see ‘Head On’?

Add to Netflix

Head On (1998)

tomatometer

All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.8/10
Reviews Counted: 23
Fresh: 14 | Rotten: 9

No consensus yet.

Average Rating: 5.6/10
Critic Reviews: 10
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 5

No consensus yet.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 2,515

My Rating

Added to your Facebook Timeline. — undo

Movie Info

In this gritty Australian drama, the nihilistic son of Greek immigrants indulges in 24 hours of hedonism in ethnically conflicted inner-city Melbourne. Ari (Alex Dimitriades), a 19-year-old layabout, spends his time picking up strange men for furtive sex; dealing, and doing, speed with his friends; fighting with his conservative father and beleaguered mother; and trying to look after his younger sister, Alex (Andrea Mandalis), who's involved in a clandestine relationship with a young Lebanese

Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.

Art House & International, Drama

Directed By: Ana Kokkinos

Written By: Andrew Bovell, Mira Robertson

In Theaters: Aug 13, 1999 Limited

On DVD: Oct 3, 2000

Strand Releasing

Cast

Critic Reviews for Head On

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (9) | DVD (3)

Director Ana Kokkinos has an eye for local color but spends little time developing the supporting characters.

April 1, 2010 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

In a way, the film is a kissing cousin to the 1960s kitchen sink dramas of the British cinema and the working-class angst of German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

February 24, 2005 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Top Critic

Anyone of any generation who has ever felt at odds with his or her environment can identify with the characters in Head On.

February 7, 2001 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times

| Comment

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Top Critic

Strains so desperately for a tragic kitchen-sink realism that in several crucial scenes the movie loses its grip and escalates into strident melodrama.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Stephen Holden

New York Times

Top Critic

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Head On

View All

Straight from the off this film begins with a natural, well acted plot, with a good role played by Alex Dimitriades. The realisticness of the film, does make it feel a little slow moving, but remains an enjoyable watch throughout. In his duel cultural background, the character struggles to please his family and

March 23, 2007

Lady D'arbanville

Super Reviewer

One of the most depressing but gripping 'struggle in the closet' films I have ever seen, with a fantastic, charismatic and emotive performance from anti-hero Alex Dimitriades (who, judging from his IMDB page, needs to get a better agent). It's a niche subject perhaps, which is then squeezed into another minority - a

June 3, 2007