Synopsis
Summer 1994, Scotland. Johnno and Spanner are best mates, but Johnno’s family are moving him to a new town and a better life, leaving Spanner behind to face a precarious future. In pursuit of adventure and escape they head out on one last night to an illegal rave before parting ways indefinitely.
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Cast
- Lorn MacdonaldSpanner
- Laura FraserAlison
- Brian FergusonRobert
- Ross MannD-Man
- Gemma McElhinneyLaura
- Amy MansonCat
- Rachel JacksonWendy
- Neil LeiperFido
- Kevin MainsLes
- Stephen McColeSergeant Ian Black
Recommendations
- 91
The Playlist
Careful and deliberate character work in the script paints a striking picture of two friends who are outcasts in their little world yet still find a way to integrate into a community. - 80
Empire
Beats is a truly heartfelt rites-of-passage tale — an immersive, intoxicating portrayal of the rave scene at its peak. - 80
Time Out
It’s absolutely a period piece (heightened by being in black and white), but its humanity is ageless, serving up an irresistible amount of thrills, spills and jaw-aches. - 80
The Hollywood Reporter
An infectiously enjoyable slice of knockabout nostalgia that wears its Trainspotting heritage proudly on its rough-edged tartan sleeve. - 80
Screen Daily
Beats brilliantly captures the nervy, joyful terror of turning up at a derelict warehouse equipped with a soundsystem and woefully inadequate toilet facilities. And it’s a testament, too, to the uncomplicated platonic love between two lads who both know, deep down, that they are too flakey to stay in contact. - 80
The Observer (UK)
It’s a terrific little film that combines the earthy humour and honesty of a Shane Meadows movie with an unexpected expressionistic section – flooded with colour – that channels the boys’ joyful dancefloor abandon. - 75
Film Threat
Welsh’s intentions are clear and his passion is palpable. - 70
Variety
Beats proceeds to give a dying scene its euphoric due, in a dazzling digression from stage-based form.
