Finding a movie that actually gets the "struggle" of being a professional creative is harder than it looks. Most dance flicks are just montages and bad dialogue. But if you’re trying to watch High Strung Free Dance, you’re probably already aware that this franchise tries to do something a little bit more grounded—well, as grounded as a movie about a high-stakes Broadway-style show can be. Honestly, the 2018 sequel (which hit US theaters in 2019) isn't just a repeat of the first film. It’s a total shift.
The first High Strung was all about that classic "ballet meets hip-hop" trope. You know the one. But Free Dance tosses that out the window. It follows Zander Raines, a high-octane contemporary choreographer played by Thomas Doherty, who is basically the personification of "gifted but difficult." He’s casting for his new show, Free Dance, and he ends up with a young pianist named Charlie (Harry Jarvis) and a contemporary dancer named Barlow (Juliet Doherty).
The drama isn't just about who can kick the highest. It’s about the friction between different types of art. It’s messy. It's loud. And frankly, the choreography by Tyce Diorio is some of the best you'll see in a dance movie from the last decade.
How to Watch High Strung Free Dance Right Now
If you're ready to stream it, your options depend heavily on where you’re sitting. In the United States, the movie has lived on several platforms, but availability fluctuates like crazy because of licensing deals.
Currently, the most reliable way to watch High Strung Free Dance is through Video on Demand (VOD). You can find it for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (iTunes), and Vudu. It’s usually priced around $3.99 for a rental, which is basically the cost of a mediocre latte. If you’re a die-hard fan of the High Strung universe, buying it for $9.99 is probably the smarter move since these niche dance movies tend to hop on and off subscription services without much warning.
For a while, it was a staple on Netflix in several regions. But as of early 2026, streaming rights have migrated. Check your local listings on Tubi or Pluto TV; occasionally, these ad-supported platforms pick up independent titles like this for a "free" (with commercials) viewing experience.
International viewers have it a bit differently. In the UK and Australia, the film is often bundled under the title Free Dance (minus the High Strung prefix in some marketing). Check Google Play or YouTube Movies if the major streamers aren't showing it in your library. It’s one of those films that stays "active" in the digital marketplace because the dance community keeps it alive through word-of-mouth.
The Juliet Doherty Factor
Let’s be real. The main reason people search for this movie isn't just the plot. It’s Juliet Doherty.
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She isn't just an actress who learned a few steps for a role. She’s a legitimate, world-class ballerina. Watching her perform the final sequence is worth the rental price alone. She has this way of moving that feels incredibly athletic but somehow soft at the same time. In the world of dance cinema, we usually get one of two things: a great actor who uses a dance double (which is distracting) or a great dancer who can't act their way out of a paper bag. Juliet manages to bridge that gap.
She grew up in a dance family—her great-grandparents started a school in Nevada—and you can see that pedigree in every frame. When you watch High Strung Free Dance, pay attention to her lines. There's no camera trickery there. That's pure technique.
Why This Sequel Actually Works (And Where It Fails)
Sequels usually suck. That’s the rule. But High Strung Free Dance avoids the "Sophomore Slump" by essentially ignoring the first movie’s plot entirely. You don’t need to see the first one to understand what’s happening here. It’s a standalone story.
The film tackles the "starving artist" trope with a bit more nuance than its predecessor. Charlie, the pianist, isn’t just some guy who likes music. He’s working a delivery job, practicing on any keyboard he can find, and dealing with the reality that talent doesn't always equal a paycheck.
The Creative Conflict
The triangle between Zander, Barlow, and Charlie isn't just romantic. It’s a battle of creative visions. Zander is the visionary who thinks he owns his dancers. Barlow is the muse trying to find her own agency. Charlie is the outsider who reminds them both why they started making art in the first place.
It’s a bit melodramatic. Okay, it’s very melodramatic. But that’s the genre! If you’re looking for a gritty, realistic documentary about the labor unions of Broadway, you’re in the wrong place. This is a movie about passion, sweat, and very tight spandex.
One thing that kinda bugs some viewers is the pacing. The movie spends a lot of time on rehearsals. If you love the process of creating art, you'll find it fascinating. If you're just here for a quick rom-com, you might find yourself checking your phone during the third piano montage. But honestly? The "Free Dance" finale is such a massive, colorful explosion of talent that it justifies the slow build.
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The Technical Side: Behind the Scenes
Director Michael Damian and his wife, writer Janeen Damian, are the duo behind this. They have a very specific style. They like vibrant colors, high-energy editing, and a positive "can-do" spirit that feels almost retro.
They also lean heavily on real talent.
- Tyce Diorio: You might know him from So You Think You Can Dance. He choreographed the film, and his influence is everywhere. He doesn't go for simple "commercial" dance. He mixes styles in a way that feels contemporary and fresh.
- The Music: Since the movie is about a show called Free Dance, the soundtrack is vital. It’s a mix of classical, pop, and original compositions that actually sound like something you'd hear in a real theater.
- The Locations: They filmed a lot of this in Romania. It gives the New York setting a slightly "otherworldly" feel. It’s not quite the gritty NYC of Law & Order, but a more romanticized, artistic version of the city.
Common Misconceptions About the High Strung Franchise
People often get confused about how these movies fit together. Let's clear that up.
First off, Keenan Kampa and Nicholas Galitzine (the stars of the first film) do not appear in this one. It’s not a continuation of their story. Jane Seymour is the only real connective tissue, returning as the formidable Oksana. She brings a level of gravitas to the film that anchors the younger cast.
Also, don't confuse this with Step Up. While they share the "dance movie" label, High Strung is much more focused on the intersection of classical arts—ballet and piano—than on street dance culture. It’s "theatre kid" energy turned up to eleven.
Another thing: the title. Sometimes you’ll see it listed as High Strung: Free Dance, other times just Free Dance. It’s the same movie. The marketing was a bit inconsistent depending on which distributor was handling the release in different countries.
Is It Worth Your Time?
Honestly, yeah. Especially if you're a dancer or a musician.
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There's something very satisfying about watching people who are actually good at what they do. Thomas Doherty is magnetic as Zander. He captures that specific brand of "charming jerk" that you find in every professional dance company. Harry Jarvis brings a sweet, grounded energy as Charlie.
But the real star is the movement.
In an era where every movie is full of CGI and green screens, seeing humans push their bodies to the limit is refreshing. You watch High Strung Free Dance for the same reason people go to the theater—to see something real happen in real-time.
What to Do After Watching
Once the credits roll, don't just shut off the TV. There’s a whole rabbit hole to dive into.
- Check out the soundtrack: The original songs, especially those featuring the piano work, are genuinely great for a workout or a focus session.
- Follow the dancers: Many of the ensemble dancers are professionals with incredible social media presence where they share "behind the scenes" rehearsal footage from the film.
- Watch the first High Strung: If you haven't seen the 2016 original, it’s a fun comparison. It’s more "classic" in its storytelling, whereas Free Dance feels more modern and ambitious.
- Look up Juliet Doherty's performances: If her dancing in the movie impressed you, look for her competition footage from the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). It’s mind-blowing.
The movie isn't trying to win an Oscar. It’s trying to capture the lightning-in-a-bottle feeling of a live performance. It’s about the grind, the ego, and the eventual payoff of creating something beautiful. Whether you’re a pro or someone who just likes a good story about chasing dreams, it hits the mark.
Check your preferred VOD platform (Amazon or Apple) first. If you have a VPN, you might find it on international versions of Netflix, but for most, a quick rental is the path of least resistance. Just make sure you have a decent sound system—the piano score deserves more than just tinny laptop speakers.