User reviews

Burning Sands is a movie about this group of young college freshmen who want to get into this fraternity and have to go through one week of humiliation by its members.

It's a nicely-shot film, but the whole thing just isn't memorable enough, especially the characters. The only one you actually kinda care about is the lead. The rest, you will barely remember. Also, I just couldn't connect to the whole story. It's horrible and very tough to watch and I know that these things happen, but I couldn't help but wonder why would anyone let others do this to them? Where is your dignity? What's the point of it? Sorry, but I just don't get it. The performances were pretty good and the whole feel and atmosphere isn't bad either. But it just lacks the emotion and the gut-punch. Aside from the events happening in these scenes, there isn't much to it. It's not memorable. In the end I just felt annoyed.

It's not a bad movie and I understand the point it was trying to make, but I just couldn't connect to it.

A really solid, well-shot and made film about fraternities the hazing pledges have to go through. It is easy to dismiss this as nothing new, but the film explores themes on race and history that are very well connected and relevant to practices at present time. It is a film that confronts the audience with the violence, so that you could almost feel it, which is appropriate to the content and subject matter. The lead actor does a decent job, the rest of the pledges built good chemistry together. Alfre Woodard and Steve Harris were the strongest performers.

The world of fraternities is a closed, alien one to people like me - a Brit who has never lived in the USA, and never really liked the whole old boy networks that run so many things in the world. Hazing - ritualised bullying and abuse - only makes it seem more distant, and that's the subject of this film which tells the story of a Hell Week which spins out of control. It's distinguished by some good performances and some subtle direction; I'm not a great deal clearer on how these rituals have got to this place, though the film wants to make a case that driving them underground has made them worse. That's a valid view, but this is a film that wants to show rather than discuss. It shows well - uncomfortably, unnervingly, chillingly and powerfully. But it falls short of what it could be, and what this subject matter needs.

No lead up to the climax that was at the very end. Then no real ending

Other than a strong cast of Black actors, Burning Sands brings nothing new to this over-trodden tale of hazing brutality and frat stupidity. Missing are any drivers that would make young men want to be part of such a moronic society.

The acting is strong, the faces memorable and the brutality is palpable, but it just wasn't enough.

The film ends with the central character making a cell phone call and mumbling something into the phone that is frustratingly unintelligible. I watched a screener of this, and replayed the final seconds several times, but couldn't make it out. What an incredible oversight.

Good movie..Shows what happens when your self worth is so low that you think you have to pay for others to humiliate you for a fake friendship. This is how you brainwash people and create narcissistic sheep that keep you from advancing on the job..Have your college age kids watch this.

This film tells the story of a number of college freshmen who is in the week of pledging to their fraternity house. The humiliation and violence gradually increase to an unacceptable level, and they have to decide whether to continue their so called friendship and brotherhood.

"Burning Sands" tells a disturbing story, in which young men are abused in return for a distant, unrealised dream. The moment I see scorching, I already think it is going too far, but it goes way further than I can imagine. The abuse, manipulation and exploitation are unacceptable, in my opinion. I don't understand how this pledging culture can be allowed to continue. I can only be glad that I did not study in the United States.

Absolutely amazing. As a member of the Greek Life community at my university, it is truly horrifying to know that hazing this brutal occurs in fraternities. I advise high school graduates, college freshman, and all members of the Greek Life community to watch this film. I applaud Gerard McMurray and the cast for portraying an important message and amazing acting. This movie was outstanding, will leave you speechless and in tears.

This is a good movie. Firstly it gave me some insight, truth or false. It is not a spending spare time movie. Great acting. These young actors are talented and directed smoothly. Anyone who is on acting must see this. It is not flawless but who cares, i am not a fan of flawless stuff.

The message of movie is not clear. But in general you can get the point that society can screw any individual in different ways which is sad. Very sad.

Still i have to ask the question. If you can't repair a generation of broken man how can you make the young stronger. Is it possible?

This movie is a real eye opener to what happens in the Greek life. When i was in college, I would hear stories about students dying from hazing. I wish we could just know what happened in the end

There must be something in there, otherwise why would all these people put the money to make this movie. But I could not relate to the story. I even fast forwarded and still could not see the point of the movie. So I tuned out.

I loved this movies at first when i watched it i didn't think it was going be good but it showed out to be great at the end of the movie it was hard to hear what he said but it made out he called his dad then the movie ended i wish they could tell us what happen to they friend that save his life the guy knew what his brother told him about his ribs he was protecting him they took the beating a little bit to far.

Great movie good story great acting. Netflix is making some good films

A movie about what goes on at these cult schools. This movie only scratches the surface. It only discusses the rookie part of these cults.

There is a lot more to it than dancing, being abused and going crazy.

A solid production, no doubt. This was a good Netflix movie.

Last Words: a beta movie. But it's alpha as a beta.

I just came here to say they shot this movie at MY ALMA MATER! :)))) just graduated last year and I remember every last place in this film brings back great memories . That river in the beginning was definitely no joke and true story they did make a pledge jump in that river and he died due to the current. Virginia state University has a strict policy on hazing to prevent all this.

#VSUUUUU.

You don't give Malik a headshot? Give people their credit IMBD.