Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Giant Little Ones

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for Giant Little Ones R 2019 1h 34m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 61 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Franky Winter and Ballas Kohl have been best friends since childhood. They are high school royalty: handsome, stars of the swim team, and popular with girls. They live a perfect teenage life - until the night of Franky's epic 17th birthday party when Franky and Ballas are involved in an unexpected incident that changes their lives forever.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Giant Little Ones

Giant Little Ones

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Giant Little Ones puts a complex and refreshingly nuanced spin on the traditional coming of age drama, further elevated by the admirable efforts of a talented cast.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Bruce DeMara Toronto Star 03/28/2019
3.5/4
Finally, a film about teenage sexuality and its inherent fluidity that has something authentic and intelligent to say. Go to Full Review
Rick Bentley Tribune News Service 03/18/2019
3/4
Unlike so many coming-of-age films, Behrman shows the intelligent approach of presenting that while one incident may eventually be a major mile marker, it's not always immediately obvious how much impact will be made. Go to Full Review
Adam Graham Detroit News 03/15/2019
B
[An] emotionally honest and heartfelt look at figuring out one's path through the difficult journey of adolescence. Go to Full Review
Brian T. Carney Washington Blade 12/07/2022
A timely but timeless coming-of-age story about friendship, betrayal and the power of rumor. Go to Full Review
Josh Parham Next Best Picture 06/04/2022
8/10
The script is filled with smart observations and endearing character work, and it’s supported by strong direction and a very able ensemble. Go to Full Review
Ben Turner The Pink Lens 09/01/2021
4/5
While this is another film that depicts a fairly negative gay experience and returns often to locker-room sequences to keep people watching, the stakes are high enough to make this an entertaining ninety minutes. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Sep 9 Giant Little Ones is a quietly powerful film that hits hard in ways you don’t fully realize until you’re immersed in it. While there are moments where the dialogue feels a touch excessive—sometimes slowing the pacing—the story itself is compelling, raw, and deeply affecting. The film centers on two best friends, Franky and Ballas, whose childhood camaraderie and bond are unshakable at first. They share adventures, laugh together, and navigate the pressures of teenage life, including their relationships with girlfriends and their roles on the swim team. The friendship feels authentic and grounded, capturing the intensity and loyalty of adolescent connections. The story takes a devastating turn when Ballas makes a choice he later regrets. Instead of confronting it and communicating honestly, he shifts the blame onto Franky, triggering a cascade of humiliation, abuse, and social isolation. Franky becomes the target of the school and community’s anger—jumped, beaten, and publicly shamed. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional toll this takes, creating a gut-wrenching narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. Adding another layer of depth, Franky confides in Ballas’ sister, herself struggling with judgment and humiliation in the community. These interactions highlight the ripple effect of shame and wrongdoing, showing how pain and social cruelty extend beyond just the main characters. The story is devastating, but it’s honest in its portrayal of human failings, accountability, and resilience. While Ballas grapples with his own inner demons, the film makes it clear that his actions carry weight. The consequences of betrayal and the damage inflicted on those closest to us are not excused, no matter the internal struggle. This adds moral complexity to the narrative without undermining Franky’s suffering. Giant Little Ones is a hard-hitting exploration of friendship, accountability, and the challenges of growing up in a world where one mistake can redefine you. It’s heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and essential viewing for anyone interested in coming-of-age stories that don’t shy away from emotional truth. See more Tony O Apr 27 Offering up all the feels of a film like “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” without that film’s self-awareness or showmanship, “Giant Little Ones” is among the best movies I have streamed in a long time. Mastering the arts of writing, acting and directing, this relatively quiet little picture delivers the sort of gut-punch magic so rarely found these days on any sized screen, all without attempting to lecture its audience or define the truths of sexual awakening. If you like to think and feel, but also enjoy being lifted, set aside 94 minutes and make this one a priority! See more Troy C 12/02/2024 Ok, I’m a little late to the game, but what a beautiful, smart, heartbreaking and charming film. A real and true example of the complexities of queer youth. Excellent performances all round. Congrats to all involved. See more Steven M @heyimsteven 03/06/2024 Inspiring, heart breaking, and thought provoking. Truly a beautiful coming of age story that explored the intersections of friendship, sexuality, and family. I am so glad that I saw this film, and can only hope that I will see another film some day that moved me as much as this one. May we all hope to have more Franky's in this world. See more Nappyheadhiji 02/29/2024 It ended so badly im mad asf See more Isla S 09/04/2022 I didn't fully pay attention to this film, I feel, as I couldn't help but wonder what I missed. Something happens between two characters which is the pivotal moment in the film but yet I feel like I didn't see it. I thought this was a pretty hum drum, run of the mill type high school/coming of age film, which didn't really appeal to me frankly. It got good average rates on IMDB but it didn't really interest me. I suppose people of high school age may enjoy it more than I did. It did seem reasonably well made but it didn't work for me as such. I wouldn't recommend it, no. See more Read all reviews
Giant Little Ones

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Longing 29% 17% Longing Watchlist TRAILER for Longing Annette 72% 77% Annette Watchlist TRAILER for Annette Blackbird 64% 57% Blackbird Watchlist TRAILER for Blackbird Goat 79% 44% Goat Watchlist TRAILER for Goat The Apprentice 82% 84% The Apprentice Watchlist TRAILER for The Apprentice Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Franky Winter and Ballas Kohl have been best friends since childhood. They are high school royalty: handsome, stars of the swim team, and popular with girls. They live a perfect teenage life - until the night of Franky's epic 17th birthday party when Franky and Ballas are involved in an unexpected incident that changes their lives forever.
Director
Keith Behrman
Producer
Allison Black
Screenwriter
Keith Behrman
Distributor
Vertical Entertainment
Production Co
Euclid 431 Pictures, Storyboard Entertainment, Sugar Shack Productions, Scythia Films
Rating
R (Some Drug/Alcohol Use|Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 1, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 4, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$159.1K
Runtime
1h 34m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
Most Popular at Home Now