Rare Beasts

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1:51

Rare Beasts

2021

1h 31m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Mandy (Billie Piper) a nihilistic young writer and mother who, while navigating her dysfunctional family and misogynistic workplace, falls for Pete (Leo Bill), a traditionalist searching for 'restored' male identity.

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Critics Consensus

Billie Piper's admirably bold directorial vision isn't quite enough to counter Rare Beasts' frustratingly shallow treatment of its weightier themes.

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Nikki Baughan

Sight & Sound

May 28, 2026

The real prize here is not a knight in shining armour, but the strength to walk on alone.

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

Aug 20, 2021

1/4

[Rare Beasts] is meant to be funny but after a while, it just feels flat and often mean spirited.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

May 23, 2021

3/5

It's an ambitious, nervy work that occasionally trips over its own stylistic heels, but still proves, as Buzz Lightyear famously discovered, that flying is essentially falling with style.

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Francesca Steele

iNews.co.uk

Dec 10, 2024

4/5

Piper is a woman with something to say in this strange, sometimes darkly comic, movie.

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Victoria Luxford

City AM

Mar 2, 2022

4/5

A tense trip to the cinema...However, it is also a reminder of why many of us go to the cinema in the first place. Its a story that challenges your perceptions of the way we live

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Oct 15, 2021

4/5

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.

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Willi P

@Uspattys Nov 4, 2025

Beautifully shot and acted. Quite surreal.

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Sal D

@JustTheLaw Nov 5, 2023

While the script would have used a few more bits of polish, the film, in terms of performances, direction/production and even message, albeit a little contorted, make this a worthy watch.

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Nov 9, 2021

This film was so raw and powerful and emotional and amazing! I think people have given low rating because it's not the normal rom com but that's what makes it connecting and realistic like no other film I've arched! This film was so engaging and is one of my favourite films to date! I HIGHLY Recommend!!!! AMAZING

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Billie Piper

Director

Billie Piper

Mandy

David Thewlis

Vic

Lily James

Cressida

Leo Bill

Pete

Kerry Fox

Marion

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63%

76%

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96%

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The Worst Person in the World

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In Bed With Victoria

85%

43%

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Simchas and Sorrows

78%

94%

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Rare Beasts: Trailer 1

1:51

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Synopsis

Mandy (Billie Piper) a nihilistic young writer and mother who, while navigating her dysfunctional family and misogynistic workplace, falls for Pete (Leo Bill), a traditionalist searching for 'restored' male identity.

Director: Billie Piper
Producer: Vaughan Sivell
Screenwriter: Billie Piper
Distributor: Brainstorm Media
Production Co: Western Edge Pictures, Singer Studios
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 20, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 20, 2021
Runtime: 1h 31m

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