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Boy

Play trailer Poster for Boy 2012 1h 28m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 74 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A New Zealand youth (James Rolleston) finds that his father (Taika Waititi) is a far cry from the heroic adventurer he's imagined the man to be.
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Boy

Boy

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Boy possesses the offbeat charm associated with New Zealand film but is also fully capable of drawing the viewer in emotionally.

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Critics Reviews

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Cath Clarke Guardian 10/13/2017
4/5
It's a disarmingly lovely, big-hearted film, and hilarious in places. Go to Full Review John Barber Globe and Mail 07/13/2012
3/4
Even the inevitable flaws of the low-budget production are winning, showcasing as they do the narrative artistry that makes Boy so distinctive amid current factory-written studio productions. Go to Full Review Linda Barnard Toronto Star 07/12/2012
2.5/4
A simple story of coming of age and the bitter failings of hero worship that succeeds thanks to the impressive skills of its young star. Go to Full Review Paul Kanieski KSQD Community Radio 07/21/2023
Waititi’s deft acting and comedy skills straddle the line between ironically funny and lovably pathetic. Go to Full Review Graeme Tuckett The Post NZ 09/03/2021
As with all great comedy, there's some sadness and grit at its core that grounds the laughs in a relatable drama. Go to Full Review Danny Brogan Common Sense Media 05/18/2021
4/5
A beautiful, heart-warming film that will be relatable to teens and will remind anyone older of a time when they too were trying to make sense of the world. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Harsh C @H_A_R_S_H 04/19/2025 Quirky Kiwi family drama set in the 80s. Most of the story, including the violence, is sanitised to the point of cartoonishness, helping to keep a positive vibe rather than sinking into despair and helplessness. See more Les N @Vegas628 03/27/2025 Reading between the lines it's more like Once Were Warriors. See more Zackary T @RT53613456 01/28/2025 This has all the hallmarks of a great Hal Ashby film. It's absolutely heartbreaking, heartwarming and incredibly hilarious. All in equal measure. This is an incredibly hard feat to pull off See more DYLANZS W @RT72238365 08/22/2023 Boy is a great example of what you can achieve with less See more Jeremy R @Jembot 03/15/2023 Boy is a charming comedy film. The New Zealand locations are beautiful and home to very real characters. Good deep laughs and emotion in this genius film. See more jacob h @RT75082373 08/27/2022 maybe in house humour for those "down-under" but a funny quirky well made movie that taika nailed ! See more Read all reviews
Boy

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Taika Waititi

Director

James Rolleston

Boy

Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu

Rocky

Taika Waititi

Alamein

Moerangi Tihore

Dynasty

Cherilee Martin

Kelly

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Boy

Poster Art Boy (2010) Boy (2010) Boy (2010) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A New Zealand youth (James Rolleston) finds that his father (Taika Waititi) is a far cry from the heroic adventurer he's imagined the man to be.
Director
Taika Waititi
Producer
Ainsley Gardiner, Cliff Curtis, Emanuel Michael
Distributor
Paladin
Production Co
New Zealand Film Production Fund, New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, Unison Films
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 2, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$255.2K
Runtime
1h 28m