Lean on Pete is a film that will be too introspective for some audiences, and arguably too saddening to witness for others, but there's genuine catharsis that is earned due to great performances and technical filmmaking.

| Original Score: A | Aug 7, 2024

Through time and living and learning with these characters, Lean on Pete hits the mark emotionally and reveals itself to be a poised, moving film.

| Dec 5, 2023

The film, while at times difficult to watch, effectively uses the atmosphere of horse racing as a plea for empathy in the face of an occasionally uncaring world.

| May 19, 2023

“Lean on Pete” is a tough watch and sometimes our lone refuge lies in the picturesque landscapes of cinematographer Magnus Nordenhof Jønck.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 23, 2022

An effective portrait of a lonely boy but ultimately simply becomes a laundry list of Charley's bad decisions.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Mar 4, 2021

There is an expansiveness of story here that feels a bit mismatched for the director's sensibilities, and the narrative beats reflect a hurried adaptation of the source novel.

| Aug 13, 2020

Despite what one may expect, there's no sentimentality, no sureness, no safety -- but lots of soul.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 24, 2020

To have no expectations, no idea what's coming next, and be completely captivated by something this achingly moving is a rare thing in an medium.

| Jun 9, 2020

To put it plainly, Lean on Pete is writer-director Andrew Haigh's best work.

| Original Score: A- | Apr 26, 2020

Heartbreaking it is, but the story of Lean on Pete never fails to deliver truth, both moment by moment, and in its ultimate conclusion.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Oct 17, 2019

Haigh excels at capturing day-to-day details which ensures the authenticity of his characters. And his trademark unsensationalistic approach strips away the dramatics to reveal something raw and real.

| Oct 17, 2019

It is a remarkable film that reflects the director's ability to extract so much from a rather small story. [Full Review in Spanish]

| Jul 19, 2019

Lean on Pete is a five-year-old chestnut quarter horse with movie-star eyes that fit the bill since he moseys off with every scene he's in.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 7, 2019

Though it may require some distance and a good pick-me-up afterwards, you will appreciate the way Lean on Pete subverts your expectations and feels authentic to the human experience.

| Original Score: A- | Mar 30, 2019

Charlie Plummer is tremendous in the lead role. A portrait of America in 2018 and a movie that really stayed with me for weeks after seeing it

| Original Score: 9.5/10 | Feb 26, 2019

A flawed triumph, emotionally resonant and terrifically acted even when it's biting off more than it can chew.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 13, 2019

With Lean On Pete, the director shifts style, totally embracing American colors and practices without losing dramatic effectiveness.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 31, 2019

Andrew Haigh's Lean on Pete is a social realist drama of the highest order.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Jan 24, 2019

The most unjustly forgotten film of 2018 was also one of its best.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 8, 2019

Lean on Pete draws you in and denies you the chance to reach out for a desperate protective embrace of Charley. Haigh's unforgettable adaptation makes you bear witness to this fragile flame nursed through the unforgiving world.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 14, 2018