"Dare is substandard fare by all accounts, plucking its characters from past (and better) teen-angst films." - Adam Keleman

Maybe it's just cause I find this generation of teens repulsive in this lack of motivation, depth, or character; but I just couldn't get into this film.

With a coming-of-age story that takes a near cliche and makes it unique and authentic writing, it's hard for me not to really like Dare. But the fact that the mediocre Johnny's acting is the best we get is really upsetting. At least the dialogue was fantastically written and the camera work helped you dive into the characters' world, never being obtrusive. The second half was generally odd, and the movie is good because of its story. Overall good, with potential and I hope to revisit it someday.

The world probably didn't need another movie about the troubling lives of privileged Caucasian children. Some of the ideas and concepts were interesting, and the last perspective was quite touching, but it didn't really make up for the creaky character development and general implausibility.

Has a couple of good moments, but there's an overall lack of direction and focus. Covers the intertwined lives of three high school teens, focusing on each in their own segment. For me things started out okay with the Emmy Rossum segment, but got progressively worse for the other two.

Zach Gilford absolutely makes this movie. There are a lot of faults in this movie, but the core ideas, though not very well executed, I found very unique in a high school movie. The idea that these characters are really playing dress-up in their intense need to feel like adults. The strange bond that teenagers develop when social lines are blurred. But most of all, how brave it is to make a character like Johnny, a blank slate developed and in the end, abused by the two other main characters.

Indie drama about high school kids discovering sexuality; extremely trite subject matter somewhat salvaged by admirable awkwardness, getting a bit unexpected demented in the final act, and Zach Gilford's extremely strong performance.