Beats
"Rise above the noise"
Beats follows Romelo Reese, a gifted but agoraphobic rapper who rarely steps outside his Chicago apartment, and August Monroe, a once influential music manager who has fallen from grace. After a chance encounter, the two form an uneasy alliance that pulls them into each other's lives and... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: February 21, 2026
About Beats
Beats follows Romelo Reese, a gifted but agoraphobic rapper who rarely steps outside his Chicago apartment, and August Monroe, a once influential music manager who has fallen from grace. After a chance encounter, the two form an uneasy alliance that pulls them into each other's lives and memories. Set against the gritty pulse of Chicago's South Side, the story traces Romelo's attempts to navigate fame from a distance while wrestling with the fear that keeps him isolated, and August's effort to repair broken relationships and rebuild a career he once believed in. The film emphasizes dialogue and small gestures over grand spectacle, letting the private battles and hard-won trust between these two men drive the drama.
Directed by Chris Robinson from an original screenplay by Miles Orion Feldsott Beats arrives as a character-driven drama rooted in Chicago's music scene. The film marks Robinson's intimate, risk-taking indie project that explores the pull of fame and the fear of leaving home.
Box office data for Beats is not publicly listed, reflecting its status as a small independent release that did not secure a wide theatrical rollout. It screened at select venues and on streaming platforms.
There are no major awards or nominations reported for Beats. The film seems to have circulated mainly through festival play and limited release channels, drawing attention to its performers and its grounded portrait of personal downfall and resilience. Critics have described it as a focused character study rather than a broad statement about the music world.
Reception and themes center on trauma, isolation, and the power of second chances. The relationship between Romelo and August offers a quiet meditation on trust and mentorship in a world that often rewards noise over nuance. The film avoids melodrama and leaves you with a belief that people can change.
Details
- Release Date
- June 19, 2019
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- User Ratings
- 265 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Drama, Music
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Global Road Entertainment +1 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Anthony Anderson
Romelo Reese
Khalil Everage
August Monroe
Uzo Aduba
Carla Monroe
Emayatzy Corinealdi
Vanessa Robinson
Paul Walter Hauser
Terrence
Dreezy
Queen Cabrini
Julian Williams
Young Buck
Megan Sousa
Kari
Evan J. Simpson
Laz
Ashley Jackson
Niyah
Director: Chris Robinson
Written by: Miles Orion Feldsott