The Beach Bum reviews: What do critics say about Matthew McConaughey movie?

The Beach Bum follows the hilarious misadventures of Moondog (Matthew McConaughey), a rebellious rogue who always lives life by his own rules. The comedy comes from director Harmony Korine (Kids, Spring Breakers) and co-stars Snoop Dog, Zac Efron, Isla Fisher, and Jonah Hill. Branded as a subversive comedy, the film has yet to be granted a UK release date but fans of Korine are eagerly awaiting one.

What do critics say about The Beach Bum?

Rotten Tomatoes gives the comedy a 50 percent rating, indicating mixed reviews.

The critics’ consensus reads: “The role of a lifetime for Matthew McConaughey, The Beach Bum is set apart by Harmony Korine’s distinctive style, but that isn’t always enough to offset the unfocused story.”

Stephanie Zacharek for TIME Magazine:

The Beach Bum is barely a movie; it’s more of a joyous squiggle adorned with a paper cocktail umbrella, a “What did I just see?” dollar-store trinket. But in these dark times, it’s just the ticket.

Chris Nashawaty for Entertainment Weekly:

It was fun while it lasted. Still, it might be time to start wondering if the McConaissance is finally over.

A.A. Dowd for AV Club:

This may be Korine’s most accessible and deceptively lighthearted movie. But it only looks like a goof.

David Fear for Rolling Stone:

If anyone was going to make the great ripping-bong-hits-while-Rome-burns movie of right now, it would be Korine.

A.O. Scott for the New York Times:

What The Beach Bum celebrates as transgression is pure tedium. What it takes for divine lunacy is frat house doggerel.

Brian Truitt for USA Today:

It isn’t good and it isn’t bad – it is, to borrow a fitting adjective, alright.

Katie Walsh for Nerdist:

The strength of The Beach Bum is in its visuals, the vibe it captures as a mood board/tone poem.

Johnny Oleksinski for the New York Post:

Meet Moondog – a movie character you’ll want to punch in the face.

Kristy Puchko for the Guardian:

In The Beach Bum, the writer-director turns his observational eye and provocateur verve to a Miami community of misfits, who chase bliss in sex, drugs and misadventures.

Brian Tallerico for RogerEbert.com:

The Beach Bum works by never losing its tonal statement that all that really matters is what matters to you … man.

Michael Nordine for indieWire:

Like Moondog, Korine finds a vulgar poetry in his own self-indulgence.

Jon Frosch for the Hollywood Reporter:

I, admittedly, had a hard time getting on its woozy wavelength. But The Beach Bum is a work of undeniable commitment and craft…

Peter Debruge for Variety:

Such hedonism isn’t irredeemable in and of itself, and yet, one wishes Korine were interested in more than just testing boundaries.