Beach Rats: Unpacking the Confused Desires and Bleak Realities of a Queer Coming-of-Age Story

The labyrinthine journey of self-discovery, particularly when grappling with nascent sexual identity, forms a powerful bedrock for cinematic storytelling. From classic narratives to contemporary indie gems, audiences are often drawn to tales that illuminate the often-turbulent path from adolescence to adulthood. Among these, Eliza Hittman's critically acclaimed film, Beach Rats, stands as a stark, haunting portrait of a young man caught between societal expectations and his own burgeoning, unspoken desires.

Set against the faded, gritty backdrop of Coney Island's boardwalks and beaches, Beach Rats introduces us to Frankie, a nineteen-year-old on the precipice of an identity crisis. His days are a monotonous blend of aimless loitering with his straight friends, a strained home life, and surreptitious online encounters with older men. The film, which garnered significant praise at the Sundance Film Festival where Hittman won Best Directing, has been lauded for its raw authenticity and unflinching gaze. But what truly lies beneath its surface, and why does its portrayal of sexuality continue to spark debate?

Frankie's Labyrinth: A Collision of Worlds

At its core, Beach Rats is a study in internal conflict. Frankie is not explicitly 'out' nor is he openly grappling with a gay identity. Instead, his desires manifest in a complex, often contradictory dance. He maintains a veneer of heterosexuality, pursuing a girlfriend and engaging in the typical masculine rituals with his peer group - smoking weed, pulling pranks, and boasting about conquests. Yet, concurrently, he navigates the anonymous world of online hook-up sites, seeking out older men for sexual encounters that remain strictly clandestine.

Is Frankie simply confused? Is he bisexual, or perhaps "heteroflexible," avoiding labels altogether? Hittman deliberately leaves this ambiguity hanging, immersing the audience in Frankie's fractured psychological landscape. This refusal to neatly categorize his sexuality is arguably the film's greatest strength, mirroring the often messy, undefined reality of sexual awakening, especially for those in environments where such expressions might be met with judgment or violence. His interactions are transactional, devoid of emotional intimacy, suggesting a deep-seated repression or fear that prevents genuine connection.

The Male Gaze and Unflinching Portrayal

One cannot discuss Beach Rats without addressing its visual language. The film is characterized by lingering shots on the male physique - Frankie's sculpted torso, his friends' casual shirtless bravado, and explicit scenes of intimacy between men, including full frontal nudity. The pervasive presence of sweat, sand, and sun-kissed skin creates a visceral, almost primal atmosphere.

This aesthetic choice is deliberate. It not only grounds the film in its Coney Island setting but also serves to explore the concept of the male gaze in a context that deviates from its traditional application in cinema. By focusing so intensely on male bodies, the film forces viewers to confront the physical realities of Frankie's world and his hidden sexual life, making the unspoken internal conflict palpable. For some, this visual honesty is a bold and necessary subversion, bringing a rarely seen perspective to the forefront of mainstream independent cinema.

Toxic Masculinity and Its Collateral Damage

While the film delves deep into Frankie's personal struggle, it also casts a critical eye on the pervasive influence of toxic masculinity within his peer group. His friends embody a narrow, aggressive definition of manhood, one that involves mocking anything perceived as "gay" and asserting dominance through physical aggression. This creates an oppressive atmosphere that forces Frankie further into secrecy, amplifying his internal turmoil.

The chilling climax of the film vividly illustrates the dangers of this environment, as the casual homophobic jibes escalate into a violent assault, leaving a gay character brutalized on the beach. This moment underscores the very real threat faced by individuals who deviate from rigid societal norms, serving as a stark reminder of the prejudice and brutality that can erupt from suppressed insecurities and ingrained biases.

Moreover, the film does not shy away from depicting the collateral damage of Frankie's unresolved conflict on the women in his life. His girlfriend and his distraught mother become unwitting participants in his journey of self-discovery, often used and discarded as he navigates his desires. Their emotional pain and lack of resolution highlight a common, regrettable trope in stories of male coming-of-age: female characters serving merely as catalysts or emotional punching bags for the male protagonist's development. This aspect of the narrative, while reflecting a harsh reality, has also drawn criticism for its lack of agency and closure for these significant female roles.

A Confused Film for a Confused Protagonist?

Some critics have posited that just as Frankie is profoundly confused, so too is the film itself. The argument suggests that by portraying Frankie as 'not-gay' or ambiguously queer, the film, perhaps inadvertently, becomes 'not-gay' as well, potentially sidestepping a more direct engagement with LGBTQ+ narratives. This perspective often points to the fact that while the film explores queer themes and sexuality, it was helmed by a predominantly heterosexual production team, raising questions about authenticity and representation.

Beach Rats isn't about neatly defined identities; it's about the volatile, often painful space where self-discovery collides with societal expectation and internalized fear.

However, another interpretation holds that this ambiguity is precisely the point. Not every journey of sexual awakening leads to a clear label or an immediate embrace of a specific identity. For many, especially in environments less tolerant of fluidity, the process is one of halting steps, internal resistance, and clandestine exploration. By refusing to give Frankie a definitive label, Hittman allows the film to resonate with a wider audience, including those who may not identify as gay but still struggle with societal pressures and the complexities of their own desires.

The Enduring Impact of Beach Rats

Regardless of critical debates surrounding its precise messaging, Beach Rats remains a powerful, often uncomfortable, watch. It bravely tackles themes of identity, sexuality, and the destructive nature of repressed desires within the confines of toxic masculinity. Harris Dickinson's nuanced performance as Frankie is both captivating and heartbreaking, capturing the essence of a young man trapped by circumstance and his own internal struggles.

The film is a significant contribution to independent cinema, pushing boundaries in its raw depiction of male sexuality and forcing conversations about the fluid, often non-linear nature of identity. It reminds us that coming-of-age is rarely a smooth transition but rather a jagged, perilous path, especially when walking it in the shadows of unspoken truths and societal expectations. For those willing to engage with its grim, haunting honesty, Beach Rats offers a poignant and unforgettable look into the lives that often remain unseen and unheard.

Ultimately, Beach Rats serves not as a definitive statement on gay identity, but as an evocative exploration of human desire in its most conflicted and fragile forms. It leaves viewers with questions, not answers, mirroring the very journey of its protagonist and inviting deeper reflection on the spaces where our true selves intersect with the identities we present to the world.