Goat (2016)

Ben Schnetzer and Nick Jonas play brothers psychologically shaken by the violence of fraternity hazing rituals in Andrew Neel's drama about the twisted byways of manhood.

3266d ago

The words “dude” and “bro” are spoken with such banal harmony — literally, at the beginning or the end of almost every sentence — in Andrew Neel’s drama Goat that you feel nervous when a line of dialogue is missing them.

3266d ago

Goat doesn’t shy from showing us monstrous behavior, which might be more than some viewers can bear. This isn’t an easy film to watch. But it’s even harder to forget.

3266d ago

Former teen idol stars as fraternity alpha-bro putting new pledges — including his younger brother — through a living hell.

3266d ago

There's a numbing aspect to Goat. But the best of it, I'd say, is honorably harsh; the subject should be difficult to watch, or the filmmakers aren't being honest about the way we operate as a culture, and what we allow and encourage our young men (and the young women who suffer the fallout) to put up with, still.

3266d ago

When it comes to their dynamic, and expanded upon with a few other members, the film’s look at how unadulterated masculinity is a substitute for genuine expression is an interesting one, however a bit diluted. Telling us little new about the horrors of hazing that Todd Phillips’ documentary Frat House didn’t already do at Sundance nearly two decades ago, Goat is a compelling watch, but in the end, its themes are a bit muddled, and certainly not unique.

3266d ago

The fraternity drama "Goat" begins in a state of testosterone overload, with a long, slow-motion shot of shirtless Phi Sigma Mu brothers jumping up and down, bellowing with what could be either rage or joy.

3266d ago

The performances are conscientious and earnest.

3266d ago

The film is another near-miss talking point in an endless deluge of reminders that this system creates a breeding ground for toxic masculinity.

3266d ago

Andrew Neel's relatively sensitive expose into the world of fraternity hazing will shock some, while leaving others wondering what the fuss is about.

3266d ago

The film's understanding of the brittleness that begets the “traditions” of frat culture is altogether shallow.

3266d ago