Rocks

2019

1 hr. 33 min.

Drama

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List

97%

65 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

A London teen takes care of her younger brother after their mother abruptly leaves.

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Critics Consensus

A fresh, funny coming-of-age story rooted in realistic characters and anchored with a meaningful message, Rocks is as solid as its title suggests.

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tendai C

I've never left a film review in my life so the fact I'm here writing this at 2:22am says it all. Absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Superb cast - ESP the youngsters. These young ladies and lil Emmanuel are going to go far. VERY relatable story line, it would be great if all school kids watched this in school - it's a sure lesson in compassion and understanding friends at such a young age. I would've really benefited watching this during my school years. The music, the storyline, cast, all top notch. I'm excited to watch more from these directors, producers and actresses (and Emmanuel). So so good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

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Merlyn H

...just brilliant! The trials and tribulations of teenage life in high school further burdened by the heartache of abandonment and hiding a little brother from the social services. A story told with as many laughs as there are tears and reinforces the importance of friendship, especially among our teenagers. There is nothing to fault in this gem and the actors were magnificent given their tender years. I hope we see them all in future film and drama productions. Well done!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

Class 6

We are an ESL class of 14-year old students in northern France and we watched the film with our teachers. It is a good movie because we like the story: some people experience this situation, it is realistic and it raises awareness about children's life in poor districts or when abandoned. The actors play well. We like the bond between Rocks and her brother but also her friends. We like the diversity in Rock's group of friends. Happiness, sadness, angriness...there were a lot of emotions. Yet, we really don't like the end: the little boy is happy but will the mother come back? We don't know if they all see each other again, it is disappointing. We felt the film was repetitive too: they are constantly in danger. The language is difficult to understand.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/05/23

Full Review

Tim G

Feels authentic, like these are real kids.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/04/23

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Nikki R

Such powerful storytelling with dazzlingly deep acting from this young, talented cast. Balances immense heartbreak with fierce hope. See this now.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/22

Full Review

luca j

Amazing young actors - their relationships felt really authentic, funny and emotional in equal measure. Loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Sarah Gavron

Director

Bukky Bakray

Shola "Rocks"

Ruby Stokes

Agnes

Sarah Niles

Ms. Booker

Layo-Christina Akinlude

Funke Omotoso

Sharon D Clarke

Anita

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Know Your Critic: Robert Daniels, Freelance Film Critic

Rocks: Trailer 1

1:52

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Ela Bittencourt

Sight & Sound

A compassionate, finely observed portrait of a young woman's gradual breaking down, as the usual buffers, including brotherly love and friendships, strain under her crushing responsibility.

Feb 14, 2021

Full Review

Carlos Aguilar

Los Angeles Times

Teeming with an infectious effervescence, the adolescent coming-of-age drama "Rocks" differentiates itself from other recent explorations of modern girlhood set amid immigrant communities.

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

Radheyan Simonpillai

NOW Toronto

The cast led by Bukky Bakray and Kosar Ali are unbelievably charming and infectious. In a just world, these rockstars would become household names.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 8, 2020

Full Review

Victoria Luxford

Small Screen

a celebration of female strength, told in a way that never comes close to being trite or patronising.

Rated: 9/10

Feb 17, 2022

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Elle Hunt

NME (New Musical Express)

Exuberant teenage story about decidedly grown-up issues

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 29, 2021

Full Review

Shikhar Verma

High on Films

Gavron's film moves through a series of genuine moments to more gritty stuff with absolute ease.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 16, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

A London teen takes care of her younger brother after their mother abruptly leaves.

Director: Sarah Gavron
Executive Producer: Phil Hunt, Andy Mayson, Julia Oh, Will Clarke, Emma Duffy
Screenwriter: Claire Wilson, Theresa Ikoko
Production Co: Fable Pictures, Head Gear Films, Film 4
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 2, 2021