Beats(2019) May 2026

The UK film Beats is a black-and-white drama set in 1994 Scotland. It follows two best friends, Johnno and Spanner, as they attempt to attend an illegal rave during the final days of the UK's free party scene.

: Director Brian Welsh based the story on his own past and used a soundtrack featuring era-authentic artists like The Prodigy, Orbital, and LFO . The American Beats: Trauma and Hip-Hop Beats(2019)

The Netflix film Beats is a coming-of-age drama set in the South Side of Chicago. It centers on August Monroe, a reclusive teenage music prodigy, and Romelo Reese, a struggling former producer. The UK film Beats is a black-and-white drama

: The film is set against the backdrop of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which effectively banned raves featuring "repetitive beats". The American Beats: Trauma and Hip-Hop The Netflix

: After witnessing his sister's murder, August suffers from severe PTSD and agoraphobia. Romelo, working as a school security guard, discovers August's talent and helps him find his voice through hip-hop.

In 2019, two distinct films titled Beats were released, each exploring music culture and youth in different urban settings. One is a Scottish coming-of-age drama directed by Brian Welsh, and the other is a Netflix original set in Chicago directed by Chris Robinson.