Movie · 2015 · Crime, Drama, Comedy · 1h 43m · R · English
Curator score: 6.8/10 (93.1K ratings)
It's hard out here for a geek.
Overview
Malcolm is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles while juggling college applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself.
Ratings
Curator score: 6.8/10
IMDb: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Metacritic: 72
TMDB: 7.1/10
Director
Rick Famuyiwa
Production
Revolt Films, Significant Productions, IamOTHER Entertainment
Cast
Shameik Moore, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Kiersey Clemons, Tony Revolori, Blake Anderson, Chanel Iman, Roger Guenveur Smith, LaKeith Stanfield, Tyga, De'Aundre Bonds, Bruce Beatty, Quincy Brown, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Rick Fox, Allen Maldonado, Vince Staples, Amin Joseph, Casey Veggies
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video, Starz, Philo, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A breezy, high-energy coming-of-age crime comedy with real style, sharp music cues, and a strong lead performance. It’s messy and occasionally overstuffed, but the charm, humor, and cultural specificity make it easy to recommend.
Best for
coming-of-age stories with attitude
90s hip-hop nostalgia and soundtrack-driven films
smart, offbeat teen comedies
viewers who like genre-blending with social commentary
Skip if
you want a tightly plotted crime story
you dislike tonal shifts between comedy and drama
you prefer grounded realism over heightened style
you’re annoyed by movies that try very hard to be cool
Overview
Dope works best as a mixtape of teen-movie energy, crime caper momentum, and cultural reference play. It follows a smart kid trying to survive his neighborhood and his future, and the movie keeps finding fresh ways to make that tension feel funny, anxious, and alive. The lead performance gives the film its center, and the supporting cast helps it feel loose without losing momentum.
Worth noting
The film is at its strongest when it leans into personality: the music, the visual confidence, the jokes, and the sense of a kid building an identity in real time. It can be overplotted and a little too eager to prove how clever it is, but that ambition is also part of the appeal. Even when the movie stumbles, it rarely feels dull.
Bottom line
If you like coming-of-age stories that are more chaotic than sentimental, this is an easy watch. It has enough wit and energy to keep you engaged, and enough heart to make the mess feel intentional rather than careless.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Lucy (4★) · 1247 likes
i honestly thought it was set in the 90's until the justin bieber reference
Evan (4★) · 575 likes
And here I thought Me and Earl and the Dying Girl was a game changer from your typical teenage coming of age cliches. This film did just that even more so. Filled with great performances, Dope is flat out enjoyable to watch. Dope is also hysterical. By far the most I've laughed in a theater so far this year. I had a really great time watching this movie. I pretty much loved everything about it. This shit right here was Dope (I couldn't resist)!
P.S. THE LOBBY BOY FROM THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL IS IN THIS MOVIE!
owen2613 (3.5★) · 503 likes
super strong first half with an over-plotted second half, still very enjoyable. dope soundtrack
davidehrlich (3.5★) · 442 likes
an Inglewood mixtape of Risky Business, noir tropes, Tarantino verve & ‘90s hip-hop culture. electric but often misjudged.
and seriously, Zoe Kravitz, why won't you return my calls? is it because i'm too lazy to bother with your umlaut? i'm sorry, but a man has to draw a line. not two dots.
jodie (3.5★) · 399 likes
the scene where they rode their bikes in slow mo through the palm trees while the word is yours by Nas played in the background was so sexy