Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Coming-of-age Irish drama has drug abuse, sexual violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Here Are the Young Men
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
HERE ARE THE YOUNG MEN focuses on three Dublin-based best friends, Matthew (Dean-Charles Chapman), the rebellious Rez (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), and the unhinged Kearney (Finn Cole). With school finished, the trio look to make the most of their newfound freedom. While Matthew falls for friend Jen (Anya Taylor-Joy), Kearney's anti-social behavior begins to get out of hand.
Is It Any Good?
This coming-of-age drama starts with much promise, but sadly loses its way. Here Are the Young Men tries to fit a little too much into its narrative, losing sight of the charm and allure it so promisingly opens with. To its credit, director Eoin Macken's feature does have a remarkable ability in capturing the freedom and spirit of youth. When Matthew, Rez, and Kearney, are seen on their nights out, you share their sense of nothing else in the world mattering other than your friends and having a good time. This realism extends to the romantic plotline too -- between Chapman's Matthew and Taylor-Joy's Jen -- nostalgically depicting love and friendship in those formative months between school finishing and adult life.
But too much is condensed into the story, and rather than simply live off the strength of the characters and their relationships, there is a frustrating inclination to implement too much drama and it feels contrived. The stylistic approach also feels unnecessary, failing to enrich the story, but instead, at times, taking the viewer out of it. There are noteworthy takes on teen machismo, and its flaws, and at times it's reminiscent of '90s cult favorite Trainspotting. Except this just lacks that same swagger.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Here Are the Young Men depicted teen drinking, smoking, and drug use. Were they glamorized? Did the characters need to do these things to look cool? How did it impact their behavior?
Talk about the sexual violence in the movie. Was it handled sensitively? How did you feel watching it? Were their consequences? Why is it important for kids to see consequences in movies?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Discuss the movie's attitudes toward sex and women. Was it respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How did the movie portray friendship? Was it a realistic portrayal? What were the differences and similarities between Matthew, Rez, and Kearney? Should Matthew have done more to stop Kearney's behavior?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 27, 2021
- Cast : Dean-Charles Chapman , Finn Cole , Anya Taylor-Joy
- Director : Eoin Macken
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Well Go USA Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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