Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Mates

  • 2023
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
610
YOUR RATING
Mates (2023)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:57
2 Videos
8 Photos
DramaRomance

An unsuspecting man becomes the target of another guy's efforts at seduction.An unsuspecting man becomes the target of another guy's efforts at seduction.An unsuspecting man becomes the target of another guy's efforts at seduction.

  • Director
    • Arno Crous
  • Writer
    • Arno Crous
  • Stars
    • James Wiles
    • Rafe Bird
    • Sam Law
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    610
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Arno Crous
    • Writer
      • Arno Crous
    • Stars
      • James Wiles
      • Rafe Bird
      • Sam Law
    • 23User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:57
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:57
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:57
    Official Trailer

    Photos7

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 3
    View Poster

    Top cast5

    Edit
    James Wiles
    James Wiles
    • Connor
    Rafe Bird
    • Mark
    Sam Law
    • Nathan
    Jonathan Cobb
    Jonathan Cobb
    • Adam
    Steevan Glover
    Steevan Glover
    • John
    • Director
      • Arno Crous
    • Writer
      • Arno Crous
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews23

    5.9610
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    1laduqesa

    Deadly

    I managed twenty minutes and, in a flash of anger at the time I was wasting, switched the whole unconvincing, sorry, amateurish mess off.

    The first spoken dialogue during the jog in the park engendered the idea in me that this was going to be a talentless, poorly-acted, badly-scripted farago of tosh. Do those "actors" actually have Equity cards? If so, the union should swoop down and confiscate them so these utterly dire people never sully our screens again.

    This was so bad that it was embarrassing; I actually felt sorry for the actors having to recite these lines and act out this nonsense despite their complete uselessness.

    It's gone, deleted and good riddance.
    10txpchy

    Dialogue Driven movie

    Seen it three times now. It gets better each time. The dialogue is crisp and natural. Nothing is spelled out so you need to observe and think.

    This movie is not for everyone. But I loved it. The acting is exceptional.

    Sam Law is a special standout, however. He has blazing star potential if he can just get in the right project.

    Also the direction is exceptional, keeping track of not only the group dynamics but also the various one on one relationships while giving everyone a concrete character arc cannot be an easy task.

    It follows four men on a camping trip, there is a mix of prior relationships and new relationships. As the four get to know each other (It's really a group of three with an outsider that keeps interrupting them) the dynamic changes slowly but steadily until we are at a vastly different situation than which we started. I really don't want to say any more because there are so many rewarding small surprises tucked into this film that one only discovers upon repeat viewings.

    Hopefully this movie will find an audience. It deserves it in spades.
    3NobleHam

    Poorly Directed and Scored Mess

    It's all bad, but I think honestly the biggest problem with this movie is it's marketing. It's being sold as a straight guy being seduced when that's not what happens at all. A gay-played guy accepts his sexuality and gets preyed on by a creep instead.

    The first scene where they meet is honestly so creepy, and although it gets better that never rubs off. Their relationship starts such on the wrong foot that it can't get better.

    The score is also a problem. It feels like it's trying to remind us of Brokeback Mountain, but it does so only superficially. Unfortunately the movie can't hope to reach that level. But dear God does it try so often. That same overwrought theme is played repeatedly.

    But at no point in the film do we see any real basis for a relationship between the main character and his stalker.
    9vcptmmj

    Quite the grower

    Firstly, I think some of the reviews on here are very harsh. I can only imagine how Ok there are some parts (the first 15-20 mins) which are very slow and I did consider abandoning, but give it time. I think its definitely represented quite a few LGBTQ issues and it was really nice to see the story develop. I think the actor choices were perfect and each played their retrospective roles well. If you are afer a high action, edge of your seat style picture, then this is sadly not the one for you. A lovely litte hommage to the often complex interactions by the less out and proud. I really enjoyed it, and it certainly kept me engaged.
    10rphost

    Smooth & sweet

    I loved it. Time flew by so fast ! I think I might see it again.

    I liked travelling through England's green hills, brooks and forests. I thought the actors were good. I really enjoyed seeing such a caring father and the story between Connor is his new friend is sweet. This is somethin that one can easily imagine to happen and it might those who might identify as a Connor. At last, it's really great to be able to have a good time watching a love story full of respect, tenderness and courage.

    It's definitely a must see for eveyone but I'd say it can lit a spark into anyone who wants to believe in casual encounters.

    More like this

    Since the Last Time We Met
    6.3
    Since the Last Time We Met
    Golden Delicious
    6.5
    Golden Delicious
    Norwegian Dream
    6.4
    Norwegian Dream
    I Love You More
    5.9
    I Love You More
    That Is All
    5.9
    That Is All
    Sunflower
    6.7
    Sunflower
    The Lost Boys
    6.7
    The Lost Boys
    Mates
    6.3
    Mates
    Lie with Me
    7.5
    Lie with Me
    The Astronaut Lovers
    7.1
    The Astronaut Lovers
    Liuben
    6.5
    Liuben
    Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
    7.2
    Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

    Storyline

    Edit

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ11

    • How long is Mates?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 11, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Link to Prime Video in Germany
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Waking the Beast
    • Filming locations
      • Lullingstone Country Park, Eynsford, Kent, England, UK(Park)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 20m(80 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.