🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Andrew Neel
- Genre: Drama
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (8.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A traumatized guy joins his brother’s frat only to discover ‘brotherhood’ involves more public nudity and casual violence than he bargained for, leading to awkward family reunions.
🍿 Goat: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Brutal Assault
The film opens with Brad Land being brutally assaulted after offering a ride to two strangers. This event leaves him traumatized and sets the stage for his later actions.

Joining the Fraternity
Seeking a sense of belonging and to reconnect with his brother Brett, Brad decides to pledge the Phi Sigma Mu fraternity, despite Brett’s initial reservations. His roommate Will joins him in the pledge process.

Hell Week and Hazing
The pledges endure a brutal ‘Hell Week,’ filled with intense hazing rituals that test their physical and psychological limits. These rituals are led by fraternity members Chance, Dixon, and Baity.

Tragedy Strikes
During one of the hazing exercises, Will dies, seemingly of a heart attack, but with visible bruises on his body. This leads to an investigation, and Brad is suspected of being a ‘rat’ for revealing information.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Brad (Ben Schnetzer): A traumatized 19-year-old seeking belonging, pledges his brother’s fraternity and endures brutal hazing.
- Brett (Nick Jonas): Brad’s older brother, a fraternity member who begins to question the hazing rituals as his brother pledges.
- Dixon (Jake Picking): The ruthless pledge master of Phi Sigma Mu, known for his brutal hazing methods.
- Will (Danny Flaherty): Brad’s roommate and fellow pledge, who struggles to endure the fraternity’s hazing.
- Chance (Gus Halper): One of the leaders of the Phi Sigma Mu fraternity who is deeply involved in the brutal hazing rituals.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dixon: “Brotherhood is forever.” – This line is said to the pledges during hell week trying to demonstrate to them the importance of what they are doing and becoming.
- Brett: “I just want you to be okay.” – Brett says this to Brad, showing his concern and love for his brother in the face of the brutal hazing rituals.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $750,000 (estimated)
- Domestic Gross: $23,020
- Worldwide Gross: $23,020
💥 Goat Reviews
Personal Review
I found ‘Goat’ incredibly disturbing. The hazing scenes were difficult to watch, and I felt genuinely uncomfortable throughout much of the movie. Ben Schnetzer’s performance was powerful, but the overall experience left me feeling uneasy and questioning the necessity of such extreme portrayals of violence and humiliation. I was left wondering what the true purpose of the movie was, not sure if it’s a statement against fraternity hazing or an explicit shock-fest.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Viewers interested in social dramas”
- “Those fascinated by the darker aspects of college life”
- “Fans of Ben Schnetzer and Nick Jonas”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Hazing rituals”
- “Strong language”
- “Nudity”
- “Depictions of sexual assault”
- “Drug and alcohol use”
Professional Reviews
- Rama’s Screen: “GOAT doesn’t intend on demonizing frat houses, but shows that when we join a group, it’s best to analyze whether that group would be beneficial for our personal growth given our previous life experiences. It’s raw, unforgiving, and it punches you in the gut.
- N/A: “Goat, works to expose the harshness and the dangers of Hazing. It does a great job of giving a pretty no holds barred look at one of college’s oldest traditions.But other than this view of how dark and disturbing the male bonding process can get, the movie has very little in a narrative story.
- N/A: “As a story of the relationship between two brothers, during a stressful time in the life of one, it’s poignant and wonderful. Nonetheless, Goat is a powerful and emotional film that, in this reviewer’s mind, is touching, as opposed to disturbing as some have called it.
Audience Reactions
The film showcases the harsh and dark sides of fraternity hazing rituals, making the viewer uncomfortable.: Viewers appreciate the film’s realistic portrayal of male bonding and its challenge of brotherhood values.
Ben Schnetzer’s and Nick Jonas’s performances capture the tension and complexity of the brothers’ relationship.: The acting is recognized for its authenticity in portraying real-life college events.
Overall Consensus: A disturbing and thought-provoking film about fraternity hazing, showcasing brutal rituals and their impact on brotherhood.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the memoir of the same name by Brad Land, detailing his experiences with fraternity hazing.”
- “James Franco served as a producer on the film and also makes a brief cameo appearance.”
- “Director Andrew Neel aimed to create a realistic and unflinching portrayal of fraternity culture and hazing rituals.”
🖥️ How to Watch Goat?
As of October 2024, ‘Goat’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential streaming options on subscription services. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) may also be available for purchase online.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Goat, you might like these similar films:
- The Skulls (2000): Explores similar themes of secret societies, power, and the dark side of elite college fraternities.
- Animal House (1978): While a comedy, it provides a contrasting view of fraternity life, highlighting the more lighthearted and rebellious aspects before things become very sinister.
🛒 Goat Related Products
- Fraternity Collection: Animal House, Old School, Neighbors (DVD): A collection of classic fraternity comedies that contrast sharply with the dark themes of Goat, offering a lighter take on college life and brotherhood.
- College T-Shirt: A retro-style college t-shirt, reminiscent of the ones worn in the movie. Made with premium materials, featuring a vintage design for an authentic collegiate look.
- The Hazing Game: College Edition: A dark humor college board game where players engage in outrageous and absurd hazing scenarios, simulating the trials and tribulations of fraternity life. Designed for mature audiences.
- Memoir Writing Masterclass (Digital Download): An online course that guides aspiring writers through the process of crafting their own personal memoir, inspired by Brad Land’s true story. Includes expert advice, writing prompts, and personalized feedback.
🎧 Soundtrack
Goat features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, ‘Goat’ is based on the memoir of the same name by Brad Land, detailing his experiences with fraternity hazing.
‘Hell Week’ is a period of intensive hazing that fraternity pledges undergo as part of their initiation process. It often involves physical and psychological abuse.
‘Goat’ was filmed in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
🔥 Bonus Content
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Ever wonder what it’s like on a movie set? Check out these bloopers from ‘The GOAT’! It’s hilarious to see even the biggest stars mess up sometimes – definitely worth a watch for a good laugh.
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Thinking about watching ‘The GOAT’ but not sure if it’s worth the hype? Deeksha Sharma breaks down the movie’s good and bad points in this review. Honestly, it helped me decide if I should book a ticket!
GOAT Movie Review & Analysis | Thalapathy Vijay | Venkat Prabhu
Want to dig deeper into ‘The GOAT’ than just a regular review? This analysis goes into the film’s themes and direction. I found it super insightful, especially after seeing the movie myself!
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