Parents' Guide to

Rare Beasts

By Kat Halstead, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Anti-romcom has strong language, sexual content, drug use.

Movie NR 2021 87 minutes
Rare Beasts Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

In RARE BEASTS, Mandy (Billie Piper) is navigating modern life with a volatile family, challenging son, and toxic workplace, when she starts dating co-worker Pete (Leo Bill). Bill a religious traditionalist who seems to offer everything other than a happy ending. But outside of cutesy romcoms, Mandy is forced to wonder what a happy ending even looks like anymore.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

In her directorial debut, Piper creates something so rare and unique that it is not easy to categorize, nor to explain. Rare Beasts doesn't just turn the romcom genre on its head -- flipping every cliche into a question, a challenge, a demand for something different -- it digs deep into the very notions of feminism, misogyny, love, and happiness. Piper is mesmerizing in the lead role, one of bemusement, anger, and disorientation. While Pete is fittingly unlikeable, all micro-aggressions, put-downs, and coercion, with occasional hints of decency proving just enough to maintain the relationship.

There's a dream-like atmosphere created by the bold stylistic choices of off-kilter angles and surreal backdrops. This is intensified by frantic strings and use of ironically happy songs, with musical interludes and complete breaks in reality that leave the audience to try to navigate the chaos of Mandy's mind. It's bold, dark, and unnerving. The film has something to say, but it's never quite possible to grasp exactly what that is. It's a sense of frustration, anger, bewilderment, and discovery that is too far out of reach for some, but certainly cements Piper as a fascinating filmmaker to watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the strong language in Rare Beasts. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?

  • How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

  • How are drinking and drug use portrayed? Are there consequences? Why is that important?

  • Discuss how inter-family relationships were portrayed in the film. How did they still show warmth and love beneath a problematic surface?

  • Would you describe this movie as a comedy? A drama? How did it play with these different genres?

Movie Details

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