critics consensus

Beats is an entertaining - if all too familiar - coming-of-age story that is elevated by Anthony Anderson's excellent performance. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

A reclusive, teenage music prodigy forms an unlikely friendship with a struggling producer. United by their mutual love of hip-hop, they try to free each other from the demons of their past and break into the city's music scene.

Genre:

drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Chris Robinson
Producer:

Robert Teitel, Christian Sarabia, Glendon Palmer
Writer:

Miles Orion Feldsott
Release Date (Streaming):

Jun 19, 2019
Runtime:

1h 49m

Cast & Crew

Anthony Anderson
Romelo Reese

Uzo Aduba
Carla Monroe

Emayatzy Corinealdi
Vanessa Robinson

Khalil Everage
August Monroe

Seandrea "Dreezy" Sledge
Queen Cabrini

Dave East
Mister Ford

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Beats

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (1)

There's little said here about violence or the arts that you can't find in an after-school special, and the music isn't half as ingenious or impactful as the plot demands.

November 15, 2019 | Full Review…

Sean T. Collins
New York Times
Beats is a Netflix film that should be a part of any conversation about gun violence in America.

August 22, 2019 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

Jonita Davis
The Black Cape
Like stumbling onto a new album and just being able to go along for the ride without ever needing to reach for the skip track button.

July 10, 2019 | Rating: 9/10 | Full Review…

Jeffrey Lyles
Lyles' Movie Files
Stirring coming of-age story has language, violence.

July 9, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Betsy Bozdech
Common Sense Media
It plays a familiar tune that is agreeable, and won't challenge you too much.

June 24, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…

Eddie Strait
The Daily Dot
Solid hip hop genre picture that gives "Black-ish" star Anderson a chance to stretch and shine.

June 20, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Roger Moore
Movie Nation
Beats is a classic case of extraordinary acting saving a movie from its script issues and boilerplate story beats.

June 20, 2019 | Full Review…

John Serba
Decider
Beats is an entertaining watch that is most effective in sharing its message about how poisonous fear can be - but it's also scattered in the execution of its vision.

June 19, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Sarah El-Mahmoud
CinemaBlend
Beats is entertaining enough, but like many Netflix offerings can feel inconsequential.

June 17, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Tony Stamp
Flicks.co.nz