Frankie, a 19-year-old from Brooklyn, struggles with his sense of self and the pressures of his troubled home life. Spending his days with friends and indulging in reckless behavior, Frankie escapes from the overwhelming realities of family and identity. His life is characterized by aimlessness, and his only solace comes from hiding behind a mask, both metaphorically and literally.
At night, Frankie turns to a webcam site for gay men, where he interacts with older men who give him the space to explore his hidden identity without the risk of being recognized by his friends. On the site, Frankie partially hides his face behind a hat, symbolizing his reluctance to fully reveal himself. While his family struggles with his terminally ill father, Frankie spends his time on the beach and at the boardwalk, trying to escape into a world of distraction and self-denial.
One evening, as Frankie and his friends watch fireworks on the Coney Island boardwalk, Frankie catches the attention of Simone, a local girl. She follows him back to his place, attempting to initiate a romantic encounter. However, Frankie is unable to perform, and his awkward response — mocking her question about whether she’s pretty — leads to Simone’s departure. This interaction highlights Frankie’s internal conflict as he struggles with his feelings and identity. Later, when he sees Simone with another guy, he attempts to apologize, and she cautiously forgives him. This marks the beginning of a complicated relationship.
Meanwhile, Frankie continues to explore his sexuality on the chat site, seeking hookups with older men. He justifies his attraction to older men as a way to protect his secret life. In one conversation, when a male partner questions why he prefers older men, Frankie replies, “I don’t really know what I like.” His secret, however, becomes harder to conceal as his behavior becomes increasingly erratic.
As the film progresses, Frankie’s life begins to unravel. His father’s death compounds his sense of loss, and Frankie uses his father’s pills to cope with his pain. During a casual outing with Simone, Frankie asks her if she has ever kissed a girl, to which she responds that it’s “hot” when girls do it but “gay” when guys do. This remark pushes Frankie to act out, forcing himself to sleep with her in an attempt to conform to societal expectations. Despite this, he continues his secret relationships with men, further complicating his identity and emotional state.
As Frankie’s dual life grows harder to conceal, he finds himself in situations where his hidden relationships threaten to be exposed. One of these moments occurs when Frankie and his friends are running low on drugs. Desperate, Frankie suggests they use the gay chat site to find men who might be able to sell them weed. His friends, uncomfortable with the idea, are reluctant but go along with it, pretending to be gay to procure drugs. This is a turning point where Frankie’s secret life begins to collide with his real-world friendships.
Eventually, Frankie’s secret world collides with reality when his friends, still unaware of his true nature, accompany him to meet Jeremy, a guy from the chat site. Jeremy is initially wary of the situation, but when he and Frankie are alone, Jeremy recognizes the tension and deduces that Frankie is hiding his true identity. Frankie denies it, but the internal conflict is palpable. Things take a tragic turn when Frankie’s friends ambush Jeremy at the beach, demanding drugs and violently attacking him when he refuses. The situation escalates, leaving Jeremy severely injured and ultimately abandoned. Frankie is left in shock, torn between his actions and his loyalty to his friends.
In the aftermath, Frankie deletes all traces of his online life, removing the photos and messages that represent his hidden identity. As he watches fireworks on the boardwalk once more, it is clear that the weight of his actions has taken a toll on him. The uncertainty and anguish on his face reflect the internal turmoil that has defined his journey. In the end, Frankie is left to reckon with the consequences of his choices, torn between the life he’s built and the truth he’s been running from.
“Beach Rats” offers a raw and unflinching look at the complexities of identity, sexuality, and the pressures of conforming to societal expectations. Frankie’s story is one of self-discovery and the painful process of reconciling his inner world with the external forces around him. Watch “Beach Rats” online to experience a gripping narrative about the search for self and the devastating consequences of repression and denial.
If you’re looking for a film that delves deep into the struggles of identity and the consequences of living in secrecy, “Beach Rats” is a must-watch. Watch Beach Rats online today to experience the emotional journey of Frankie as he navigates his relationships, his family, and his complicated sense of self. This gripping film will keep you captivated from start to finish, offering a unique perspective on the challenges of growing up and discovering who you truly are.