Lean on Pete

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1:41

Lean on Pete

R

2018

2h 2m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

189 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Charley, a teen living with his single father, finds work caring for an aging racehorse named Lean on Pete. When he learns Pete is bound for slaughter, the two embark on an odyssey across the new American frontier in search of a place to call home.

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Critics Consensus

Lean on Pete avoids mawkish melodrama, offering an empathetic yet clear-eyed portrayal of a young man at a crossroads that confirms Charley Plummer as a major talent.

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

This is a film that succeeds in holding all its elements in balance - and in doing so, arrives at a depth of feeling that isn't commonplace at all.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 3, 2018

Full Review

Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

And as the film enters into its final third, Plummer is steady and brilliant demonstrating not only Charley's growth, but also how his naivety becomes mixed with darkness.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 27, 2018

Full Review

Philip Kemp

Sight & Sound

For all its sometimes over-episodic structure, Haigh has crafted a quietly affecting coming-of-age journey tale sustained by a central performance that never feels forced or contrived.

May 9, 2018

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

Lean on Pete is a film that will be too introspective for some audiences, and arguably too saddening to witness for others, but there's genuine catharsis that is earned due to great performances and technical filmmaking.

Rated: A

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

Benedict Seal

Vague Visages

Through time and living and learning with these characters, Lean on Pete hits the mark emotionally and reveals itself to be a poised, moving film.

Dec 5, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“Lean on Pete” is a tough watch and sometimes our lone refuge lies in the picturesque landscapes of cinematographer Magnus Nordenhof Jønck.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 23, 2022

Full Review

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Anthony T.

A beautiful, realistic and gripping character study of a young man who’s down on his luck but trying his best. How had I never heard of this movie?! So thankful I came across it and decided to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Audience Member

The real America Down to the smallest details. Plumber’s performance resonates deeply within.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

Full Review

Bobby E

Mr. Plummer is an amazing actor . He absolutly nailed his role . The story had all the right structure . I felt everything that Charlie was going through . Wonderful movie .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

Full Review

Efrem M

A sincere movie about the struggles of a teenage boy with tenacity and vigor for life. Charlie Plummer is a great actor on the rise.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/02/24

Full Review

Georgan G

This drama is honest & heartbreaking. The young actor playing lead, Charlie Plummer, is outstanding, hitting every scene just right. Sadly many aspects of this story are quite realistic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Michael O

Good movie until the ending which was so depressing. Not a feel good at all.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/24

Full Review

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Lean on Pete: International Trailer 1

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Lean on Pete: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Charley, a teen living with his single father, finds work caring for an aging racehorse named Lean on Pete. When he learns Pete is bound for slaughter, the two embark on an odyssey across the new American frontier in search of a place to call home.

Director: Andrew Haigh
Producer: Tristan Goligher
Screenwriter: Andrew Haigh
Distributor: A24
Production Co: The Bureau
Rating: R (Language and Brief Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 6, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 3, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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