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Giant Little Ones

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for Giant Little Ones R Released Mar 1, 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.
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Giant Little Ones

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Bruce DeMara Toronto Star Finally, a film about teenage sexuality and its inherent fluidity that has something authentic and intelligent to say. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 28, 2019 Full Review Rick Bentley Tribune News Service 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. Rated: 3/4 Mar 18, 2019 Full Review Adam Graham Detroit News [An] emotionally honest and heartfelt look at figuring out one's path through the difficult journey of adolescence. Rated: B Mar 15, 2019 Full Review Brian T. Carney Washington Blade A timely but timeless coming-of-age story about friendship, betrayal and the power of rumor. Dec 7, 2022 Full Review Josh Parham Next Best Picture The script is filled with smart observations and endearing character work, and it’s supported by strong direction and a very able ensemble. Rated: 8/10 Jun 4, 2022 Full Review Ben Turner The Pink Lens 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. Rated: 4/5 Sep 1, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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BadNews R 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/09/25 Full Review Tony O 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! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/27/25 Full Review Troy C 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Steven M 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/06/24 Full Review Nappyheadhiji It ended so badly im mad asf Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/29/24 Full Review isla s 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. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Giant Little Ones

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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)
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