Lean on Pete

Play trailer

1:41

Lean on Pete

R

2018

2h 2m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

12/03/2018

4/5

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.

Go to Full Review

Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

08/27/2018

3.5/4

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.

Go to Full Review

Philip Kemp

Sight & Sound

05/09/2018

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.

Go to Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

08/07/2024

A

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.

Go to Full Review

Benedict Seal

Vague Visages

12/05/2023

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.

Go to Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/23/2022

4/5

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Anthony T.

@awtiv Jul 20

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.

See more

Joseph

@WildWestern Apr 24

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

See more

Bobby E

Apr 17

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 .

See more

Efrem M

@GloryBe 08/02/2024

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.

See more

Georgan G

03/29/2024

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.

See more

Michael O

01/21/2024

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

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Andrew Haigh

Director

Charlie Plummer

Charley

Chloë Sevigny

Bonnie

Steve Zahn

Silver

Justin Rain

Mike

Lewis Pullman

Dallas

45 Years

97%

67%

45 Years

Watchlist

TRAILER

for 45 Years

The Etruscan Smile

70%

75%

The Etruscan Smile

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Etruscan Smile

The Headhunter's Calling

17%

57%

The Headhunter's Calling

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Headhunter's Calling

The Hero

77%

59%

The Hero

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Hero

Manchester by the Sea

96%

78%

Manchester by the Sea

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Manchester by the Sea

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Certified Fresh Indie Gems You Might Have Missed In Theaters, Now Streaming

A Quiet Place and Blockers Are Certified Fresh

Lean on Pete: International Trailer 1

1:41

Lean on Pete: Trailer 1

2:25

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now