The Beach
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment | Release Date: February 11, 2000
8.0
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 266 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
210
Mixed:
40
Negative:
16
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
FilmisFeb 14, 2013
The beach is a really touching story with dark and harrowing aspects to it, really well acted by Leo dicaprio. It almost seems like a modern tale of The Lord of flies but with adults, it asks the question what happens to humanity withoutThe beach is a really touching story with dark and harrowing aspects to it, really well acted by Leo dicaprio. It almost seems like a modern tale of The Lord of flies but with adults, it asks the question what happens to humanity without order and civilisation? Ignoring the deep philosophical nature to this film, it is truly is a weird and wonderful watch.… Expand
11 of 11 users found this helpful110
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9
CheeseSteakJimJan 3, 2016
Superb flik. I love the concept, Dicaprio excellent as always.

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9 of 9 users found this helpful90
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8
SolariumJan 12, 2020
An exceptional adventure thriller expertly directed and acted. ×××××××××××××
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
PerineumJan 14, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Opening Lines to the movie Richard - My name is Richard. So what else do you need to know? Stuff about my family, or where I'm from? None of that matters. Not once you cross the ocean and cut yourself loose, looking for something more beautiful, something more exciting and yes, I admit, something more dangerous. So after eighteen hours in the back of an airplane, three dumb movies, two plastic meals, six beers and absolutely no sleep, I finally touch down; in Bangkok. Trust me, it's paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed. For mine is a generation that circles the globe and searches for something we haven't tried before. So never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite and never outstay the welcome. Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience. And if it hurts, you know what? It's probably worth it.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
ExcommunicadoJan 18, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Etienne: Oh f***! Richard! F***!

Richard: What?

Etienne: I saw a fin!

Richard: What? Are you joking?

Etienne: No, no. A fin!

Richard: OK, a shark fin?

Etienne: I don't know! Just a fin! Over there, about a hundred meters.

Richard: Well, was it big?

Etienne: Yes.

Richard: Well, what the f*** do you expect me to do about it?

Etienne: Nothing! I just thought you should know!

Richard: Well, to be honest, Etienne, I'd rather you hadn't told me!

Etienne: I'm sorry!

Richard: Well, it's a bit f***ing late now, isn't it?

He starts swimming again.


A few strokes later he hears a short sharp scream from Francoise.


ETIENNE


Francoise! Francoise!


Richard turns around. Francoise is gone. Her plastic bag bobs on the surface. Etienne is frantic, hysterical.


ETIENNE


(continuing)


She is gone!
RICHARD What happened? Etienne submerges briefly and resurfaces. ETIENNE She just went under the water. She was pulled under. Oh God, I don't see her. RICHARD Was there a shark? Did you see a shark? They both start looking down at their feet and circling frantically in the water. ETIENNE I don't know! I don't know! Oh God. Suddenly Richard screams. Francoise surfaces, pulling up his ankle. She and Etienne laugh at Richard. RICHARD Very funny. You Europeans, you have such a playful sense of humor. No wonder your comedy has conquered the world. He swims on. ETIENNE What about Moliere? RICHARD Oh F*** off. He swims on without looking round.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
HolographicJan 23, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Richard (Leonardo Dicaprio) ( Voiceover) "When you develop an infatuation for someone, you always find a reason to believe that this is exactly the person for you. It doesn't need to be a good reason. Taking photographs of the night sky for example. Now, in the long run, that's just the kind of dumb, irritating habit that would cause you to split up. But in the haze of infatuation, it’s just what you've been searching for all these years.”… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
Allogism944Jan 28, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Richard narrating: You hope, and you dream. But you never believe that something's gonna happen for you. Not like it does in the movies. And when it actually does, you want it to feel different, more visceral, more real. I was waiting for it to hit me, but it just wouldn't happen. The police were pissed cuz he was traveling under a false passport. But they didn't ask me about the map, so - I didn't tell 'em.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
RindApr 23, 2021
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3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
Chassis28May 8, 2021
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3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
Obstinate177May 15, 2021
》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
Catenary44Jun 7, 2021
$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■》■
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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10
TimR.Jan 25, 2007
(Based on the Alex Garland Novel) The Beach is truly touching and compelling picture with a new-age lord of the flies feel entering the millennium, terrific music score and intriguing escape into the unknown, fantastic.
2 of 2 users found this helpful
8
DawdlingPoetNov 22, 2021
This is a movie that would, I imagine, have been well worth seeing on the big screen and if you have a larger size TV screen then this should make a difference in terms of the atmosphere of the movie, its pretty engrossing and there are a fewThis is a movie that would, I imagine, have been well worth seeing on the big screen and if you have a larger size TV screen then this should make a difference in terms of the atmosphere of the movie, its pretty engrossing and there are a few large scale landscape shots which would have a bigger impact the larger the screen you view it on.

The story isn't really all that original but it still seemed a decent enough movie and the fact that the characters were quite intriguing and had their own stories and different personalities definitely helped make it more memorable. The soundtrack is also quite memorable, most of the tracks are dance or trance oriented, with a paradise type feel to it I suppose (their summer-y type tracks that you would perhaps hear at clubs abroad during the summer, or would have when it came out).

DiCaprio gives quite a good performance as a typically smug American tourist who is of course naive but yet full of belief about tracking down and becoming a part of this hidden community. His character showcases a variety of different emotions and moods which are quite convincing.

Tilda Swintons character, Sal, is one of note, being the head of this apparent beach paradise community, she makes it her sole aim to keep the community secret and thriving, being so seriously about it that it could be seen as a little over the top perhaps. She's quite a headstrong character, someone who isn't afraid to take charge and make tough decisions.

Robert Carlyle also plays a character of particular importance as far as the story goes, although we never learn what his true identity was but his passport names him as Daffy Duck, so he's referred to as Daffy. The scenes with him in the hotel at the start of the movie are quite dark and disturbing and yes this movie is definitely not for the younger generation, having a 15 rating which is more than fair in my opinion, given the pretty strong language used as well as drug references (including scenes of people smoking weed) and some violence/bloody scenes.

In some parts of the movie, its narrated by DiCaprio who appears to be reflecting back on what happened at the time your watching, as if the movie is his autobiography and he's reading it back to you and then the narration fades shortly after it starts. I guess it is quite a reflective movie, with him warning about the reality of such a concept as paradise and so on, so there is perhaps a more serious side to it than just a few tourists stumbling on some great place and making the most of it.

One other quick mention - a slight criticism is the romantic element of the movie, with DiCaprios character Richard being attracted to Francoise, which was just so cheesy, I wasn't too keen on that, it seemed like they had to fit that in because no such movie with such a main actor would be complete unless there was a love interest angle on it and her character wasn't really developed enough, I didn't feel it quite worked somehow.

I think this is a movie thats worth watching, if you like the sound of it and know what kind of movie it is and your ok with that then check it out. It won't suit everyone of course (few movies do, I suppose) but its quite enthralling with some interesting characters, good cinematography and decent performances and it may have a moral or two in there that may make you think, although it isn't a movie that you particularly need to have your thinking cap on for as such. Its a pretty good movie but at the same time I wouldn't say that its entirely original and some people, if your picky, may be turned off by one or two potential stereotypes but otherwise its a good movie thats worth a watch.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
SextetSep 16, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Brilliant

Why was this film so badly received? Well if I could answer that question there'd be 9 stars falling from the sky and dissolving into an ocean of fire along with Danny Boyle, Leonardo Di Caprio & a life times supply of marijuana! Let me be brief...this film is brilliant; visually stimulating, intelligently written and heartbreakingly realised. The fact people need to be spoon fed a characters motives is typical of people going to a see a film, with the idea of escaping from the realities of their lives. It seems most people were hypnotised by the blue skies and olive skinned brunettes to actually understand what this film is trying to say? Either that or their spoilt lifestyles left them no time to reflect and empathise with the human condition...if this is the case then they shouldn't even bother gracing the shores of this cinematic masterpiece as there's plenty of holes in the sand to be filled.

If you have indeed enjoyed some life experience - good or bad, then i suggest you watch this film and get lost in its sheer, yet relative, surrealism.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
FOARPMay 26, 2013
Recently re-watched this film and was surprised to see how well it had stood up to the test of time. The photography is drop-dead-gorgeous, the acting professional and convincing, and the film's central story of narcissism and disaffectionRecently re-watched this film and was surprised to see how well it had stood up to the test of time. The photography is drop-dead-gorgeous, the acting professional and convincing, and the film's central story of narcissism and disaffection still relevant.… Expand
10 of 11 users found this helpful101
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9
coxyclanApr 11, 2013
Not sure why this has always had such negative reviews. I find it a well made film set in beautiful locations. I know there was an uproar when it was filmed because of the affect on the environment in Thailand, but that shouldn't impact onNot sure why this has always had such negative reviews. I find it a well made film set in beautiful locations. I know there was an uproar when it was filmed because of the affect on the environment in Thailand, but that shouldn't impact on the score the film gets.… Expand
10 of 12 users found this helpful102
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9
IqbalJul 9, 2011
Excellent Movie. So it doesnt follow the book exactly but this movie gives fantasy and euphoria, its mesmerising. For those who lack imagination and adventure maybe they should give this a miss. Di Caprios acting is very good.
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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8
ImpugnJan 11, 2020
The Beach is one of Leo's best movies. The cinematography and scenery is incredible, it is suspenseful, funny & unpredictable, B+.
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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10
barnet42Oct 16, 2012
Excellent story with breathtaking scenery set in Thailand. Leo's character Richard is an American tourist and he embarks on an adventure to find a paradise island. But at what price? My favourite scenes are when Francoise pretends to be eatenExcellent story with breathtaking scenery set in Thailand. Leo's character Richard is an American tourist and he embarks on an adventure to find a paradise island. But at what price? My favourite scenes are when Francoise pretends to be eaten by a shark, when they debate how they are to get down from the waterfall and the scene where they are together in the water. Excellent cast and soundtrack. Directed by Danny Boyle.… Expand
14 of 19 users found this helpful145
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8
glommanJul 24, 2021
I loved this movie, the vibes, the story, the borderline insane characters, everything just fit perfectly together.
Also it's basically Far Cry 3, but that's not a negative in my book.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
Xenophobe114Jun 26, 2021
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⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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9
gracjanskiAug 7, 2020
Great acting by Leonardo DiCaprio. Also the story is interesting with some dark twists and cynic elements. The setting also with paradise scenery. I expected just an average movie, but was surprised positively.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
HabibiehakimAug 6, 2021
This is an extraordinary film, with all the fabulous performance especially DiCaprio, The Beach combine darkness and happiness that i rarely seen and it works so well, The Beach is incredible.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Stagger74Jul 15, 2021
》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》》
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
forgedsledgeFeb 25, 2023
You're born, you go-to school, you get job, a wife (or husband) and a house with a white picket fence, have a couple of kids, get old and die. Boring.

That's the mentality of my generation. The generation so desperate for something real andYou're born, you go-to school, you get job, a wife (or husband) and a house with a white picket fence, have a couple of kids, get old and die. Boring.

That's the mentality of my generation. The generation so desperate for something real and tangible that we could experience instead of something commercialized or prescribed. The ideals of the free love hippie parents who raised us, died. This is the basic philosophy of The Beach, one of young DiCaprio's many attempts at an Oscar. The beach, while a real place in the movie, is a metaphor for those moments in all our lives in which we try to find out who we are. But as in this movie, is the grass isn't greener on the other side. As the first work written by Alex Garland and directed by the then underappreciated Danny Boyle this movie is another one of those gems that went under the radar. I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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