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30 Beats

30 Beats

201288 minRMidcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
Director
Alexis Lloyd
Starring
Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Vahina Giocante, Jennifer Tilly, Paz de la Huerta

A summer heat wave and a series of sexual encounters connect a group of New Yorkers.

Where to watch

Where can I watch 30 Beats?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists 30 Beats streaming on MovieSphere+ via Prime Video, STARZ and Tubi (free).

Your rating, lists and review

Reception

Is 30 Beats worth watching?

30 Beats' Midcredits score is the 6th percentile of all films, from 1.5K ratings across 5 sources. 20% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

6th percentile

Better received than 6% of films

4th percentile among Comedy6th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)6th
Approval (how many liked it)9th

42 /100

6th percentile of all films

5th percentile among Comedy7th percentile among 2010s

Critics 20 · Audience 45

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Ratings scatter across the whole scale — one of the most divisive reactions in the catalog.

Approval

How many liked it

20% liked it

9th percentile of all films

7th percentile among Comedy9th percentile among 2010s
20% rated it 7–1080% rated it 1–6

Critics 5% · Audience 16%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

66th percentile

1.5K ratings across platforms

61st percentile among Comedy69th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 90% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$1M
Opening weekend$8.6K
Domestic gross$15K
Worldwide gross$15K

Returned 0.0× its budget — 10th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A Manhattan-set sex roundelay inspired by Schnitzler, but fans find it charmingly entertaining while detractors see it as a hollow, poorly executed imitation.

Fans praised

  • captivating interlocking stories
  • Jennifer Tilly's standout performance
  • tender and kinky tone variety

Detractors panned

  • derivative of La Ronde without subtext
  • flaccid dialogue and pacing
  • one-dimensional characters and shallow execution

What stands out

ActingDivisive40

Jennifer Tilly praised by fan; critics note attractive but shallow performances, Condola Rashad's energy stands out

AtmosphereDivisive35

summer NYC horny vibe works for some, fails for others

Plot and storyDivisive30

interconnected sex roundelay feels pointless and rudderless

CharactersDivisive25

one-dimensional, no depth beneath sleek surfaces

Dialogue25

theatrical and flaccid conversational foreplay

Emotional impactDivisive25

fan finds quiet tenderness; detractors feel nothing

OriginalityDivisive20

derivative of La Ronde without fresh insight

Pacing20

slow, indecisive, increasingly ridiculous

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is 30 Beats like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Quiet and reflective: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in a patient, quiet mood.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Quiet and reflective.

Moods
ContemplativeMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Dry humor
Register
PlayfulRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Episodic · 13% of films: Loosely connected incidents rather than one driving plot.
TonePlays the chain-of-encounters premise with a light, observant touch; jazz score and summer heat give it a playful, romantic mood.
The rideThe mood is quiet and reflective, with the emotional weight settling in the final segment as Julie and Sean connect.
StructureTen linked scenes follow a chain of sexual encounters; no overarching narrative device.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetWistful · 8% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe circular structure and focus on fleeting connections leave a bittersweet, wistful aftertaste.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeChain-of-encounter ensemble drama; no single plot archetype fits.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsIdentity · 14% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeEach character seeks connection or satisfaction through sex, but the encounters often reveal a deeper longing for love, acceptance, or self-discovery.
StanceThe film watches its characters navigate desire and connection without strong judgment or advocacy.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
JazzSupportive music · original score · C.C. Adcock
Settingsummer heat wave in Manhattan, across lofts, apartments, and a clinic
MusicThe jazz score lends a cool, improvisational atmosphere to the linked encounters.

Content guide

Is 30 Beats okay for kids?

R

30 Beats is rated R: “Rated R for sexual content, nudity and language” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (27/100), sexual content at moderate (46/100), language at severe (83/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (83/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UK18
  • LTN-18
Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 46%
Profanity
Severe
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (29 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does 30 Beats have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in 30 Beats?

Cast

Ingeborga Dapkunaite
as The Call-Girl - Alice
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Vahina Giocante
as The Operator - Kim
Jennifer Tilly
as The Psychic - Erika
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Paz de la Huerta
as The Girl with a Scar - Laura
Justin Kirk
as The Anthropologist - Adam
Ben Levin
as The Young Man - Sean
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Lee Pace
as The Chiropractor - Matt
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Dola Rashad
as The Virgin - Julie
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Thomas Sadoski
as The Speechwriter - Julian
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jason Day
as The Bike Messenger - Diego
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like 30 Beats?

Movies like 30 Beats include The Art of Getting By (2011), Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021) and Scenes of a Sexual Nature (2006). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films set in a single location, and most are films set in New York.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its story type: chamber drama. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with 30 Beats?

3K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: chamber drama. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.