Giant Little Ones Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two bros share a drunken night, chaos ensues when one can’t handle the possible implications, leading to a high school social meltdown about identity and acceptance.

🍿 Giant Little Ones: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Franky’s 17th Birthday and the Incident

Franky Winter and Ballas Kohl are lifelong best friends navigating their senior year of high school. Franky is planning to lose his virginity to his girlfriend, Cil, on his 17th birthday. However, Cil cancels at the last minute, leaving Franky and Ballas to spend a drunken night together. The details of what happens between Franky and Ballas that night are ambiguous. The next morning, Ballas is gone, and rumors begin to circulate throughout the school about a sexual encounter between the two boys.

The Fallout and Franky’s Struggle

Ballas, fearful of being labeled gay, denies the encounter and accuses Franky of making unwanted advances. This leads to Franky being ostracized and bullied by their classmates and former friends. He struggles with his identity and the homophobia directed at him. Franky finds solace in unexpected places, including Ballas’s sister, Natasha, who has her own history of being ostracized, and Mouse, a gender-nonconforming friend who encourages him to embrace his true self.

Confronting Homophobia and Finding Acceptance

Franky is also forced to confront his feelings about his father, Ray, who is gay and left Franky’s mother for another man. As Franky navigates his identity and deals with the fallout from the incident with Ballas, he begins to understand and accept his father’s choices. Throughout the film, Franky learns about friendship, acceptance, and the fluidity of sexuality, ultimately finding the strength to be true to himself regardless of what others think.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Franky Winter (Josh Wiggins): A teenager whose life is upended after a sexual encounter with his best friend, leading him to question his identity and sexuality.
• Ballas Kohl (Darren Mann): Franky’s best friend who betrays their friendship out of fear and societal pressure after their intimate encounter.
• Natasha Kohl (Taylor Hickson): Ballas’s sister who connects with Franky due to their shared experiences with social ostracization.
• Ray Winter (Kyle MacLachlan): Franky’s father, who provides guidance based on his own experiences as a gay man after leaving Franky’s mother to pursue his love for another man.
• Mouse (Niamh Wilson): Franky’s friend who is a boy trapped in a girl’s body, she offers frank advice and support as he grapples with his sexuality.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mouse: “Just own it.” – Mouse advises Franky to embrace his sexuality and not care what others think.
• Natasha Kohl: “I don’t fuck him, Ballas, just give him the occasional blow job. Which I guess we have in common, don’t we, big bro?” – A sarcastic remark by Natasha to her brother, Ballas, highlighting the hypocrisy in their actions and judgmental attitudes.
• Ray Winter: “It’s okay to not know.” – Ray comforts Franky, reassuring him that it’s alright to be unsure about his sexuality.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $181,507
• Worldwide Gross: $181,507

💥 Giant Little Ones Reviews

Personal Review

I was genuinely moved by ‘Giant Little Ones’. It’s not just another teen movie; it actually tackles the messy reality of figuring yourself out. The scene where Franky talks to his dad about everything he’s going through hit me hard because you feel his confusion and vulnerability. I loved how it showed that it’s okay to not have all the answers and that acceptance is the most important thing.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ themes and stories about self-discovery”
  • “Those who appreciate nuanced and thought-provoking films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content and references”
  • “Bullying and homophobia”
  • “Teenage alcohol use”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Behrman navigates the complexities of teenage sexuality with sensitivity. ‘Giant Little Ones’ doesn’t offer easy answers, but rather explores the fluidity of identity with nuance and grace, making it a vital film for our times.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While ‘Giant Little Ones’ treads familiar territory, its sincere performances and refusal to sensationalize its subject matter make it a worthwhile watch. It’s a thoughtful exploration of friendship and the courage to be true to oneself.
• Variety: “A well-intentioned but somewhat predictable coming-of-age story. ‘Giant Little Ones’ benefits from strong performances, but its impact is lessened by its reliance on familiar tropes. Despite this, the movie handles difficult social themes delicately and with care.

Audience Reactions

Viewers praised the film’s honest portrayal of teen sexuality and the courage it takes to challenge social norms.: Most viewers appreciated the film’s realistic characters and its message of self-acceptance and standing up to prejudice.

Many viewers found Franky’s journey relatable and expressed that it was a refreshing take on the coming-of-age genre.: A recurring theme was how the film made viewers feel seen and understood, fostering discussions about identity and acceptance.

Overall Consensus: ‘Giant Little Ones’ is a heartfelt and thought-provoking film that explores themes of sexuality, identity, and acceptance, resonating with audiences for its honesty and sensitive approach, though some found it predictable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, a location that Kyle MacLachlan found reminiscent of his hometown in eastern Washington.”
• “Director Keith Behrman’s first film since his 2002 indie ‘Flowers and Garnet.'”

🖥️ How to Watch Giant Little Ones?

As of October 2024, “Giant Little Ones” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as streaming options may vary by region. Consider purchasing the movie to support the filmmakers and have it available for repeated viewings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Giant Little Ones, you might like these similar films:

• Love, Simon (2018): A coming-of-age story centered around a teenager grappling with his sexual identity and coming out.
• Moonlight (2016): Deals with themes of identity, sexuality, and masculinity through the lens of a young Black man’s experiences.
• Call Me by Your Name (2017): Explores the complexities of first love and sexual awakening during a summer in Italy.
• The Way He Looks (2014): A visually impaired teenager explores his feelings for a new student.

🛒 Giant Little Ones Related Products

• Giant Little Ones [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed film on Blu-ray. This edition includes bonus features such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew, providing deeper insights into the film’s creation and themes.
• Giant Little Ones Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster. Features the cast and tagline, printed on durable, archival-quality paper. A vibrant and eye-catching piece.
• LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age Movies Collection [Digital Download]: A curated digital collection featuring ‘Giant Little Ones’ alongside other groundbreaking LGBTQ+ coming-of-age films. Includes director’s commentaries and extended scenes.
• Giant Little Ones Inspired Enamel Pin Set: A set of four enamel pins featuring symbols and quotes from ‘Giant Little Ones’. Each pin is crafted with vibrant colors and intricate details.

🎧 Soundtrack

Giant Little Ones features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Youth” – performed by Daughter
• “Oogum Boogum Song” – performed by Brenton Wood
• “Young Folks” – performed by Peter Bjorn and John

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Joji – Gimme Love

Ever wonder what ‘Giant Little Ones’ would look like set to a Joji song? This fan-made video totally nails the vibe; the music really amplifies the emotions in the movie, you HAVE to check it out!

giant little ones | franky and ballas | no answers

Okay, so this video might be a tearjerker if you’re a fan of ‘Giant Little Ones’. It’s a super emotional montage of Franky and Ballas set to a hauntingly beautiful song. Prepare to feel ALL the feels!

Top 10 BEST Gay Teen Romance Movies To Watch 2025

Looking for similar movies after watching ‘Giant Little Ones’? This video lists the top 10 gay teen romance films, and ‘Giant Little Ones’ made the cut! It’s a great way to find your next favorite movie!

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