Lean on Pete

90%

Tomatometer

191 Reviews

74%

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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Critics Reviews

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

The film, while at times difficult to watch, effectively uses the atmosphere of horse racing as a plea for empathy in the face of an occasionally uncaring world.

May 19, 2023

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

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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 4/5 Stars • 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 4.5/5 Stars • 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 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/24 Full Review Alec B Haigh takes what could easily have been a saccharine and emotionally manipulative story and makes something more honest. This allows the movie to earn it's most powerful moments. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review The Great John A A good watch if you have the time however I expected the film to be a horse movie but it was just about the boy. I don't think the story really went anywhere after the 1 and a half hour mark. Overall the acting performances are acceptable and the first half was good but afterwards it didn't really go anywhere. I would have liked to have seen a bit more bonding with him the horse and the owner as like a father figure to him but I guess it is okay what we got in the end.So yeah decent watch but expected better.Grade: B Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/23/23 Full Review Magnus O I thought I was watching a movie about a horse. Turned out the horse was just part of the set. The other established actors also just have small walk on parts. It is not that Charlie Plummer does a bad job acting; his character is never really developed to the point where I give a *uck. Even his conversation with the horse does not really delve into his psyche. Gotta love what they did for the horse at the end. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Andrew Haigh Director Charlie Plummer Charley Chloë Sevigny Bonnie Steve Zahn Silver Justin Rain Mike Lewis Pullman Dallas

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Lean on Pete

Lean on Pete (2017)

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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)