Ben Schnetzer and Nick Jonas turn in excellent performances in Goat, a dramatic exploration of how delicate masculinity can be, especially in organized cultures promoting "brotherhood." As director Andrew Neel made clear in his Q&A, these kinds of issues aren't limited to Greek life. Everything from organized sports to the workplace is affected, in some way, by a power struggle and the need to prove oneself to one's peers.
Allusions to Lord of the Flies abound as young Brad (Schnetzer) decides to attend college and pledge the same fraternity as his brother Brett (Jonas). The hazing that Brad endures does nothing to aid his emotional state following a violent assault after a summer party. This tests his bond with Brett in ways neither expected.
The script by David Gordon Green (Prince Avalance, Pineapple Express) doesn't sanitize anything. This is a coming-of-age story of sorts that never dips into cliché.
It's clear to see Goat has roots in exploitation film. What might be considered smut in the hands of lesser storytellers, Goat's most brutal and graphic material only reinforces the film's message - that no matter if you're the bully or the bullied, masculinity is fragile.
Though some might dismiss the film's brutality the same way they wrote off The Revenant, Goat is an important story told through a unique lens. We don't usually get many college frat "dramas," let alone ones that pack such an emotional punch.
With wide distribution in question, only time will tell if the film successfully opens up a dialogue with university administration about the issues on display.
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