Suncoast (film)

Suncoast is a 2024 American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Laura Chinn, in her feature directorial debut. It stars Laura Linney, Nico Parker and Woody Harrelson. The film's screenplay, written by Chinn and based on her life experience from the early 2000s, was included in the 2020 Black List.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024. It was released in selected theaters in the United States on February 2, 2024, followed by a streaming release on Hulu on February 9, by Searchlight Pictures.

Plot
A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story about a young woman dealing with her brother's serious illness and forming an unusual friendship with an eccentric activist.

Production
In August 2022, it was reported that Woody Harrelson and Laura Linney would star in the film, and be distributed by Searchlight Pictures.

Principal photography began in Charleston, South Carolina on September 20, 2022. Filming halted later that month due to Hurricane Ian. Filming resumed in Moncks Corner, South Carolina in October 2022.

The film completed post-production in late 2023.

Release
Suncoast premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024. The film was released in selected theaters in the United States for a one-week engagement on February 2, 2024, followed by a streaming release on February 9 on Hulu in the United States, on Star+ in Latin America, and on Disney+ in other territories, by Searchlight Pictures.

Audience viewership
According to the streaming aggregator JustWatch, Suncoast was the third most streamed film in the United States during the week of February 4 to February 11, 2024. According to the streaming aggregator Reelgood, It was the ninth most streamed film in the United States during the week of February 14, 2024.

Critical response
Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood gave the film a positive review and wrote, “For Chinn this is clearly all personal, and though she has worked as a showrunner in television projects such as Florida Girls, this fine and moving drama marks a leap forward in a career that undoubtedly will be one to watch.” Esther Zuckerman of IndieWire graded the film a C+.