The Act (2020): cast, story & where to watch
2020 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 2020, The Act is a drama film directed by Thomas Hescott, running about 18 minutes. “Effeminate, depraved, exhibitionist, and looking for love” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In 1965 - the eve of decriminalization for acts of male homosexuality in the U.K. - Matthews, a young gay man at odds with the world, discovers love, sex, and a new family in the backstreets and underground bars of Soho.
Who’s in it. The Act stars Samuel Barnett as Matthews, Simon Lennon as Jimmy, Cyril Nri as Edna May and Annette Badland as Flo, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, The Act has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Act page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Act tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Act (2020)?
- In US, The Act is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Act worth watching?
- The Act holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Act?
- The Act stars Samuel Barnett, Simon Lennon, Cyril Nri, Annette Badland and Ian Hallard.
- When was The Act released?
- The Act was released in 2020, with a runtime of about 18 minutes.