Hard Miles

Play trailer

2:22

Hard Miles

PG-13

2024

1h 48m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

Hard Miles tells the uplifting true story of the bicycling team at Rite of Passage's RidgeView Academy, a medium-security correctional school in Colorado. The film follows beleaguered coach Greg Townsend (Matthew Modine) as he rounds up an unlikely crew of incarcerated students for a seemingly impossible bike ride from Denver to the Grand Canyon. As the beginner bicyclists battle heatstroke, speed wobbles, and the greatest enemy of all cyclists -- a chafed crotch -- they must learn to stop fighting and ride together as a peloton. The bicycle serves not just as a means of transportation, but as a test; a way for each of these young men to see what they are truly capable of, physically, mentally, and emotionally. As caring social worker Haddie (Cynthia Kaye McWilliams) attempts to be the voice of reason, coach Greg Townsend pushes the boys to their limit, and cracks begin to form in the peloton. Ultimately, Greg's words will ring hollow unless he can apply his coaching advice to his own life and make amends with his dying father. In the sweltering desert, the boys reach a crossroads and must decide whether to continue down the path of least resistance, or take agency of their futures and pave the way to forgiveness.

Critics Consensus

A modest vehicle that wears its heart on its sleeve, Hard Miles charters an uncomplicated course towards uplift and arrives with plenty of good cheer still left in the tank.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

06/03/2024

2/5

Hard Miles hauls its tired-out premise up approximately 750 miles of winding, mountainous roads in search of a foregone conclusion.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

05/31/2024

4/5

Matthew Modine finally gets the starring role he deserves, the first that’s fully tested him since his Eighties heyday, in this true-life sports drama about the healing power of cycling.

Go to Full Review

Cath Clarke

Guardian

05/29/2024

3/5

A formulaic sports movie that unfolds predictably, exactly on cue, with no surprises or upsets. But I warmed to its sensitivity; it possesses an insistence that these difficult boys are vulnerable and scared kids.

Go to Full Review

Ayla Ruby

Loud and Clear Reviews

10/20/2024

4/5

If Ratatouille‘s guiding principle was “Anyone can cook,” Hard Miles’ guiding principle might as well be “Anyone can cycle.” [...] an entertaining and emotional film that will satisfy your need for sports dramas tinged with inspiration.

Go to Full Review

Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

07/20/2024

3.5/5

In "Crooked Arrows" boys learn teamwork and manhood via lacrosse. In "The Boys in the Boat," it's rowing crew. In "Hard Miles" it's cycling. All good vehicles.

Go to Full Review

Freda Cooper

The People's Movies

07/02/2024

3/5

Hard Miles takes us down a well-trodden path, one to redemption with the help of sport and an inspirational coach. Thankfully, we still have enough heart to respond to its visual beauty and the determination of people like Greg Townsend.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

drowning_im T

@RT34840573 Nov 15

as a cyclist, a metal fabricator, a childhood miscreant, i feel the need to inform anyone considering watching this movie that it is a pretty bad/if youve seen one you've seen them all bad teenager redemption dog pile kind of movie. really just skip this its not good,in any sense and just makes me agitated at the consistent bad writing, storyline, and actual realities if everything in this lack luster suck fest.

See more

Mark F

@RT34080453 May 14

Heartwarming story. Nothing surprising, but everything is just well done, Matthew Modine is great as always, and if you go for the ride you’ll enjoy it.

See more

tribiggs B

@RT95081922 04/19/2025

Nice inspiring moving with accurate cycling references thanks to George Hincapie and Christian Vande Velde. Must see for everyone

See more

01/31/2025

Hard Miles is a heartfelt and gripping underdog story that delivers powerful performances and an uplifting message. With stunning cinematography and genuine emotion, it’s a film about resilience, second chances, and the strength of the human spirit. A must-watch.

See more

Kyle M

@RT77296778 11/24/2024

The scenic reminiscence is ideally worthwhile, only as secondarily rewarding beneath its character-driven factor that cycles routinely and quite ever effective to find charismatically, optimistically-boosted uplifting resonance. (B+)

See more

Donla T

@RT00662999 10/24/2024

Engaging (and yes, predictable) feel good movie that will please amateur cyclists, and those who root for underdogs and at-risk kids.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

R.J. Daniel Hanna

Director

Matthew Modine

Greg Townsend

Sean Astin

Speedy

Cynthia Kaye McWilliams

Haddie

Leslie David Baker

Skip Bowman

Jahking Guillory

Woolbright

Minari

98%

92%

Minari

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Minari

Thirteen Lives

85%

93%

Thirteen Lives

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Thirteen Lives

Living

96%

91%

Living

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Living

Just Mercy

85%

99%

Just Mercy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Just Mercy

The Fabelmans

92%

83%

The Fabelmans

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Fabelmans

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Hard Miles: Trailer 1

2:22

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Hard Miles tells the uplifting true story of the bicycling team at Rite of Passage's RidgeView Academy, a medium-security correctional school in Colorado. The film follows beleaguered coach Greg Townsend (Matthew Modine) as he rounds up an unlikely crew of incarcerated students for a seemingly impossible bike ride from Denver to the Grand Canyon. As the beginner bicyclists battle heatstroke, speed wobbles, and the greatest enemy of all cyclists -- a chafed crotch -- they must learn to stop fighting and ride together as a peloton. The bicycle serves not just as a means of transportation, but as a test; a way for each of these young men to see what they are truly capable of, physically, mentally, and emotionally. As caring social worker Haddie (Cynthia Kaye McWilliams) attempts to be the voice of reason, coach Greg Townsend pushes the boys to their limit, and cracks begin to form in the peloton. Ultimately, Greg's words will ring hollow unless he can apply his coaching advice to his own life and make amends with his dying father. In the sweltering desert, the boys reach a crossroads and must decide whether to continue down the path of least resistance, or take agency of their futures and pave the way to forgiveness.

Director: R.J. Daniel Hanna
Producer: Christian Sander
Screenwriter: R.J. Daniel Hanna, Christian Sander
Distributor: Blue Fox Entertainment
Production Co: Pensé Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Content|Some Teen Drinking|Suggestive References|Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 7, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $375.5K
Runtime: 1h 48m

Most Popular at Home Now