Son of Rambow

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Son of Rambow

PG-13

2008

1h 35m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In 1980s England, schoolboys Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) and Lee Carter (Will Poulter) meet by chance in a hallway. Though the boys are polar opposites, Lee asks Will to help him make a homemade action movie, inspired by Sylvester Stallone's hit, "Rambo: First Blood." Will, who lives in a strict religious environment, is only too happy to oblige his new friend.

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Critics Consensus

Undeniable heart and charming young leads save the film's nostalgic storyline from suffering at the hands predictability.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

True enough, it's make-believe, but to believe in make-believe, you do have to be firmly on board in some way. Otherwise, it's just nonsense.

Jan 30, 2018

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David Stratton

The Australian

It's a fun idea, but quite awkwardly staged and, in the end, not particularly engaging.

Rated: 2.5/5

Sep 12, 2008

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

The script is not so much written as assembled, anecdote by anecdote. As a result, you never quite settle in.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 5, 2008

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Charlotte Harrison

Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies

One of the most delightful things you could ever possibly show your eyeballs.

Sep 19, 2022

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

The film goes beyond comic pratfalls to deliver a convincing portrayal of childhood imagination and the shifting power relations of teenage friendships.

Dec 17, 2020

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Felicia Feaster

Charleston City Paper

Desperate for winsome, Jennings in the end just tries too hard, settling for cute when something more meaty is required in this story of two fatherless boys.

Jan 28, 2020

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M A

This was recommended when I looked up films like Taika Waititi films, and it hit spot on in that sense. It hits nostalgic notes of childhood and the eighties like Stranger Things, but more subtlety and softly. It was laugh out loud funny, a story mostly about friendship and the tenuous position a lot of kids find themselves in, with no control of, in childhood. I liked the acting, the characters and how it went a little too far in it's recollection of the eighties. Saw it in a mixed crowd, from 5 years old to teens to middle aged, and it was a hit. If you are looking for a Pixar clean, straight movie arc and narration it may not be your movie. It tells the story how it wants to, meanders a bit, but again, was hilarious and charming all the way through.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/25

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Jerod S

Rambo was the inspiration of this coming of age flick - but i didn't get it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

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Stephen C

1 hour and 35 minutes of pure parody of Rambo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Some Violence and Reckless Behavior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $1,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

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Les N

Kept me wanting to know what would happen. That's what filmmakers want?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/29/25

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Faiz D

A charming British indie film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

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HL S

I absolutely love this movie, and I felt compelled to leave a review after seeing so many critics call it uninteresting or disconnected or criticize the characters for lack of depth. Perhaps they can't relate, but for a creatively minded kid who grew up in an environment that, though less severe than, harkens back to Will's, this movie spoke to me and saw me in a way few other movies have. It's like a warm hug of a movie, and I'm always sad more people haven't seen it. The performances are compelling, the story is incredibly sweet, and the characters made me root for them in a way many major Hollywood blockbusters don't manage. Don't underestimate a movie for being "for kids". It hits in a way many others don't.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/18/23

Full Review

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Garth Jennings

Director

Bill Milner

Will Proudfoot

Will Poulter

Lee Carter

Jules Sitruk

Didier

Jessica Hynes

Nary Proudfoot

Neil Dudgeon

Joshua

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Synopsis

In 1980s England, schoolboys Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) and Lee Carter (Will Poulter) meet by chance in a hallway. Though the boys are polar opposites, Lee asks Will to help him make a homemade action movie, inspired by Sylvester Stallone's hit, "Rambo: First Blood." Will, who lives in a strict religious environment, is only too happy to oblige his new friend.

Director: Garth Jennings
Producer: Nick Goldsmith
Screenwriter: Garth Jennings
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Arte France Cinema, Hammer and Tongs
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Reckless Behavior)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Runtime: 1h 35m

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