The Fits

Name: The Fits
Genre: Drama
Released: June 3, 2016
Duration: 72 min
Rating: 90
Cast: Royalty Hightower

2016

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 53 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 53 Ratings

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The Fits

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Movie Details & Credits

Oscilloscope | Release Date: June 3, 2016 | Not Rated

Starring: Royalty Hightower

Summary: Toni trains as a boxer with her brother at a community center in Cincinnati’s West End, but becomes fascinated by the dance team that also practices there. Enamored by their strength and confidence, Toni eventually joins the group, eagerly absorbing routines, mastering drills, and even piercing her own ears to fit in. As she discovers theToni trains as a boxer with her brother at a community center in Cincinnati’s West End, but becomes fascinated by the dance team that also practices there. Enamored by their strength and confidence, Toni eventually joins the group, eagerly absorbing routines, mastering drills, and even piercing her own ears to fit in. As she discovers the joys of dance and of female camaraderie, she grapples with her individual identity amid her newly defined social sphere. Shortly after Toni joins the team, the captain faints during practice. By the end of the week, most of the girls on the team suffer from episodes of fainting, swooning, moaning, and shaking in a seemingly uncontrollable catharsis. Soon, however, the girls on the team embrace these mysterious spasms, transforming them into a rite of passage. Toni fears “the fits” but is equally afraid of losing her place just as she’s found her footing. Caught between her need for control and her desire for acceptance, Toni must decide how far she will go to embody her new ideals. [Oscilloscope]… Expand

Director: Anna Rose Holmer

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 72 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Ty Burr

Jul 21, 2016

The Fits is what independent moviemaking should be and can be in this country. Like its heroine, it’s slight but it’s built to last. Read full review

100

Kenneth Turan

Jun 9, 2016

Made by a first-time feature director working with a microscopic budget and a tiny, 11-year-old protagonist, it’s a 72-minute wonder, a self-assured, gently mysterious little film that is hypnotic in unexpected ways. Read full review

Tasha Robinson

Jun 3, 2016

Plenty of films give the viewers far more information and still wind up feeling opaque and distanced from the characters' lives. But The Fits is all about the experience of the moment, and it winds up feeling remarkably immersive and lyrical. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Sheila O'Malley

Jun 3, 2016

An effective and creepy-surreal film. Read full review

Matthew Anderson

Feb 23, 2017

The Fits is slimmed down but Holmer achieves a great deal with economical, nuanced storytelling where no image or sound is without meaning. Read full review

David Rooney

Jan 29, 2016

The Fits is a lovely character portrait, abstract and yet highly evocative, given an other-worldly feel by deft use of slow-mo, sinuous tracking sequences and music that ranges from ambient drones to discordant strings and the percussive claps, clicks and stomps of the drill routines. Read full review

The Playlist Nikola Grozdanovic

Jan 29, 2016

There's vision here, clearly, and through the use of eye-catching frames and a standout score, "The Fits" works like magic as an experimental performance piece. As an engaging work of well-rounded cinema, however, there are more than a few missteps. Read full review

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User Reviews

Indiefilmlover

Jul 1, 2016

In an era of movies dominated by remakes, reboots and generic by-the-numbers filmmaking, it is so refreshing to see a movie like, "The Fits." Unlike typical Hollywood fare, "The Fits" assumes the audience has some intelligence and doesn't need every detail to be explained completely. TheIn an era of movies dominated by remakes, reboots and generic by-the-numbers filmmaking, it is so refreshing to see a movie like, "The Fits." Unlike typical Hollywood fare, "The Fits" assumes the audience has some intelligence and doesn't need every detail to be explained completely. The film also utilizes a distinctive visual style that immerses you into the world of the protagonist. It also sets the location in a very specific place (Cincinnati, Ohio).

The film is essentially a character study of Toni (played by newcomer Royalty Hightower), a tom boy who spends her free time in the boxing gym with her brother. During one of her training sessions, she becomes intrigued by a dance company that practices nearby. In a typical Hollywood movie, the story would be about how Toni struggles to blend in with the group and would culminate with her helping the girls win the big competition, but not here. Like many films of the American New Wave or early West African Cinema, "The Fits" is less concerned about the machinations of a conventional Hollywood narrative and focuses instead on Toni's journey of self-discovery.

Throughout the movie, the camera focuses almost entirely on Toni. This is most evident in the dance rehearsal scenes where the adult characters in particular, are kept mostly in the background. A viewer's appreciation for this film is directly proportional to how interested you are in the life of an 11 year old black girl. If you are, the film is immensely satisfying and thought-provoking. If not, you'll quickly become bored and frustrated with the movie.

A lot has been made of Royalty Hightower's performance. She is very photogenic and meets the physical and emotional demands of the material very well. However, she is not the only reason to watch this movie. Alexis Neblett as Beezy, one of the new girls with dance company is also a joy to watch. She brings an energy and youthful exuberance to her performance, that one doesn't often see in standard Hollywood fare. Significantly, the kids in "The Fits" look and act like real youngsters, not a Hollywood version of them. At least some of the credit must go to first-time director Anna Rose Holmer to eliciting some fine performances from her cast.

Another striking aspect about "The Fits" is its score by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans. Minimalist in many respects, the score is highly effective and even menacing at times. Overall, the film is technically well-made.

"The Fits" is clearly not for every one. If the mention of the latest Hollywood reboot excites you or if you're looking for a movie with predictable plot points, you're best to look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a film that allows you to think and feel for yourself, "The Fits" is definitely worth a look. Just remember to approach the film with an open mind.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

GarrettSmith

Sep 1, 2016

The best ending of 2016.
A film of sublime tranquility and not for those without patience.
It's not a film for everyone, but for those who give it a chance, it will at least stay with you long after it's over.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

AquaMorph

Aug 23, 2016

The fact that a move as repetitive and opened ended as the Fits is still engrossing is a testament to the director's skill at filmmaking. The performances in this movie are great especially considering how young a lot of the cast is. The look of the film is unique which is quite amazingThe fact that a move as repetitive and opened ended as the Fits is still engrossing is a testament to the director's skill at filmmaking. The performances in this movie are great especially considering how young a lot of the cast is. The look of the film is unique which is quite amazing since it is set in such a dull and uninteresting environment. The cinematographer did an excellent job. The sound design and score lend to the tone of this film and really make the film. All in all this is an worthwhile way to spend 70 minutes.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This is very much an arty film, in terms of it being quite low in dialogue and featuring dance and style in tone. The plot direction isn't very clear and I did feel there was a sense of isolation put across with the young girl shown expressing her love of dance, while mostly being on herThis is very much an arty film, in terms of it being quite low in dialogue and featuring dance and style in tone. The plot direction isn't very clear and I did feel there was a sense of isolation put across with the young girl shown expressing her love of dance, while mostly being on her own.

There is a somewhat spooky/eery sense when we see the other girls succumbing to the mysterious 'fits' the film is named after. However, it was frustrating that there didn't seem to be much in the way of answers given and it was left a bit open ended overall. It didn't especially appeal to me and I certainly wouldn't call it memorable but if you like arty type films, then this may interest you.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Benkoko11

Feb 23, 2017

The Fits is refined indie-cinema poetry and therefore is not for everyone. It is elegant and immersive, well acted, and beautifully shot on a single location; relying on these elements more than narrative or explaination, so don't try to find one.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

netflic

Jun 13, 2016

It is a debut for a young director Anna Rose Holmer.
Coming-of-age story of a girl (Toni) who trains as a boxer at her local school but gets interested in group dancing next door.
Critics praise this movie immensely. Maybe they see something they want to see. I failed to see any kind ofIt is a debut for a young director Anna Rose Holmer.
Coming-of-age story of a girl (Toni) who trains as a boxer at her local school but gets interested in group dancing next door.

Critics praise this movie immensely. Maybe they see something they want to see.
I failed to see any kind of a drama there, just a pretense to be unique on parts of the debutant.

If it were a short feature movie, it would be boring even at half an hour. Half the time you look at Toni’s face and you can imagine anything you want. Very few dialogs are there, and they are not meaningful. Very little substance as well.

Probably, there is a play of words here. Girls in the dancing team start getting fits for unknown reason. And Toni tried hard to fit into the team.

There is some definite talent in this movie but director’s complete lack of experience tells.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

ricky1121

Jun 25, 2016

The reviews for this piece of garbage is so strange. It is a bad film through and through. Do not watch it for your own sake. It's the worst film of 2016 I think.

0 of 9 users found this helpful09

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