Suncoast
Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: February 2, 2024 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
61
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
10
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Wall Street JournalKyle SmithFeb 7, 2024
Forswearing anything like a pedantic message and giving the audience plenty of reasons to be sympathetic to the viewpoints of all three characters, Ms. Chinn has created a heartbreakingly real coming-of-age story. Read full review
75
The Seattle TimesMark MeszorosFeb 14, 2024
An emotional authenticity courses through the veins of Suncoast, the filmmaking debut of Laura Chinn. Read full review
75
CNNBrian LowryFeb 9, 2024
In her director’s note, Chinn explains that while considerable liberties were taken with the details of her experience, “The emotions are real.” However dark the premise might be, that part of Suncoast shines through as bright as day. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleFeb 7, 2024
Suncoast is a personal and mostly quiet movie, but it has the force of a real expression, of something that somebody just needed to say. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperJan 31, 2024
With the cinematography by Bruce Francis Cole capturing the mid-2000s Florida setting and the score from Este Haim and Christopher Stracey helping to set the right mood, “Suncoast” eschews heavy-handed messaging about whether one is really and truly alive when one cannot survive on their own in favor of a quietly moving, occasionally surprising and ultimately lovely and thought-provoking work. Read full review
75
The Film StageLena WilsonJan 29, 2024
Although the script could certainly use pruning, Suncoast balances intellect and emotion to deliver clever, memorable lines and a climax that will leave you weeping. Read full review
70
The New York TimesAmy NicholsonFeb 8, 2024
With commendable wit and zero self-pity, Chinn sketches the daily surreality of her teenage analogue. Read full review
70
Screen RantMae AbdulbakiFeb 2, 2024
Suncoast is a strong feature debut from Chinn. It’s heartfelt and filled with warmth and messy emotions that are deeply felt. Read full review
67
The PlaylistRodrigo PerezJan 23, 2024
If Suncoast ultimately lacks major insights, it is hard to argue that it at least combats its slenderness with a poignant sense of empathy and compassion for draining emotional hardships. Read full review
65
TheWrapJan 23, 2024
Where Suncoast stumbles is when it sacrifices specificity for generic sentiment. Read full review
63
Washington PostTy BurrFeb 6, 2024
As filmmaking, the movie is straightforward enough — unobtrusively shot, sensitively scored, lacking only a sense of urgency in its pacing. As a memory play and a launchpad for both a writer-director and the young actress playing her, it’s a very good start. And as your latest reminder that Laura Linney can do just about anything, it’s a bracing kick in the pants. Read full review
63
Movie NationRoger MooreJan 29, 2024
As “mixed bag” coming-of-age dramas go, Suncoast surprises with its heart and consistently punches above its emotional weight. Read full review
60
The GuardianBenjamin LeeFeb 7, 2024
The first-time writer-director Laura Chinn can’t quite muster enough genuine emotion to get us there, her so-so debut working best when investment is at its lowest. Read full review
60
VarietyLisa KennedyJan 25, 2024
An amiable ensemble effort, with two sturdy lead performances, Suncoast is reminiscent of the minor-key, quirky-charming ’90s dramedies so often discovered by the Sundance Film Festival. This is a fine thing; there are deserved laughs and tears. It is also a slightly awkward thing. Read full review
60
Screen DailyAmber WilkinsonJan 23, 2024
Tears may well be shed but it is the actors who are delivering the goods rather than the script. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyJan 23, 2024
There’s a core of authentically devastating family experience and personal investment that saves Suncoast from its unskilled handling, giving this grief drama, coming-of-age combo a heart to counter its predictability. Read full review
58
ConsequenceLiz Shannon MillerJan 30, 2024
As Stefan might say, this movie’s got everything (you’d expect from a Sundance movie): A period coming-of-age story inspired by the filmmaker’s own life, broader political themes, known stars like Linney and Harrelson playing eccentric characters, and a weepy conclusion. Read full review
58
IndieWireEsther ZuckermanJan 23, 2024
It’s a movie that seems all too aware that life is hard, but desperately wants to simplify it. In doing that, it does a disservice to its own ideas. Read full review
50
ColliderTaylor GatesFeb 7, 2024
Though Suncoast features wonderful performances, its clichés dim its impact. Read full review
50
ObserverRex ReedFeb 6, 2024
It’s one damned thing after another in Suncoast, a leaden, melodramatic soap opera with forced comedic elements inserted to drag out the playing time. Read full review
50
Slant MagazineDerek SmithJan 29, 2024
Suncoast spends much of its runtime trafficking in tiresome coming-of-age tropes, until the resulting crowd-pleaser has snuffed out much of what’s so singular about its central story. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comTomris LafflyJan 24, 2024
Suncoast joins a more forgettable crop of teen movies, lacking plausible character development and sufficient depth to make its themes resonate. Read full review
29
Paste MagazineJacob OllerFeb 7, 2024
While there is a literal amount of truth running through the semi-autobiographical Suncoast, its glossy, uncertain cutesiness is as fake as Ron DeSantis’ height. Read full review
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