The New Boy

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The New Boy

Released May 23

1h 56m

Drama

History

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

68 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

From acclaimed filmmaker Warwick Thornton, The New Boy takes place in 1940s Australia at a remote monastery with a mission for Aboriginal children run by a renegade nun, Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett). A new charge (Aswan Reid) is delivered in the dead of night – a boy who appears to have special powers. However, the boy's Indigenous spiritual life does not mesh with the mission's Christianity and his mysterious power becomes a threat. Sister Eileen is faced with a choice between the traditions of her faith and the truth embodied in the boy, in this story of spiritual struggle and the cost of survival.

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Critics Consensus

The New Boy bites off more than it can comfortably chew, but this heady exploration of faith and cultural tensions has an ethereal allure.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

What happens instead propels both on a spiritual, existential journey that challenges their beliefs. “The New Boy” explores those big questions but leaves it to us to find out the answers.

Rated: 3/4

May 30, 2025

Full Review

Jourdain Searles

RogerEbert.com

Newcomer Reid perfectly embodies the spirit of the film, making us feel his confusion and share his joy in the small moments where he’s allowed to be himself.

Rated: 3/4

May 23, 2025

Full Review

Beatrice Loayza

New York Times

Thornton, who briefly attended a Christian boarding school when he was a child, brings a textured perspective to this story of cultural violence and white guilt.

May 22, 2025

Full Review

Cody Allen

The Curb

In The New Boy, Thornton has crafted more than a story—he’s offered a gesture of grace. It’s a film that lingers like the scent of eucalyptus after rain, like the echo of a hymn long after the final note fades.

Jul 18, 2025

Full Review

Alise Chaffins

Movies We Texted About

Humanizing those who force assimilation is a risky proposition, but when it is done to show how that pressure applies not just to the victims, but also to those perpetrating the violence, it can help us understand how easily we can fall into that trap.

Rated: 3.5

Jul 11, 2025

Full Review

Morris Yang

In Review Online

Although Thornton may have been more acclaimed for his brunt and brutal depictions of racism in Sweet Country, it’s the modernizing, reformist ideology in The New Boy that deserves better recognition for its vicious imprint on Australian history.

Jun 6, 2025

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bill e

Nice ending, thought-provoking

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

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Daniel P

The New Boy is one of those rare films that doesn’t just play on the screen—it reaches inside and grips your spirit. I was deeply moved, to the point of tears, watching this powerful story unfold. The film captures the heartbreaking journey of a child whose innocence and spirit are gradually eroded as he’s forced to assimilate into a religion not his own. The performances are breathtaking across the board. Every actor brings an honesty and rawness to their role that makes the story feel deeply personal. The lead performance, especially, carries a quiet intensity that left me in awe. It’s the kind of acting that lingers long after the credits roll. Adding to the emotional weight is the cinematography. The scenery is absolutely stunning—every frame looks like a painting, yet it never distracts from the story. Instead, it amplifies the beauty and the sorrow, creating a world that feels both intimate and epic. This film struck me at my core. It’s a story that reveals the cost of erasing culture, spirit, and individuality in the name of assimilation. It’s haunting, beautiful, and unforgettable. The New Boy has already earned a place on my favorites list, and I know I’ll return to it again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

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En G

That was horrible. The film also dragged to extend its watch time. Most of the movie was vague. No clarity.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

Full Review

Logan D

After strangling a white man, an Aboriginal boy (Aswan Reid) is taken to reside at a remote monastary in the Australian countryside. Director/writer Thornton has quietly developed a body of work that focuses on themes relevant to Aboriginal history and present. I loved Sweet Country but Samson and Delilah was too quiet for me. This film features not only the wonderful Cate Blanchett but a subdued performance from Reid as the mysterious boy who wrestles with his own spirituality in the face of Christian teachings.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

Full Review

Matthew P

It doesn't matter how many stellar critical reviews a movie garners if you'd rather snack on porcupine needles than sit through it a second time...

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

Full Review

Revolver 0

good walkabout vibes

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

Full Review

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Warwick Thornton

Director

Cate Blanchett

Sister Eileen

Aswan Reid

New Boy

Deborah Mailman

Sister Mum

Wayne Blair

George

Shane McKenzie-Brady

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The New Boy: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

From acclaimed filmmaker Warwick Thornton, The New Boy takes place in 1940s Australia at a remote monastery with a mission for Aboriginal children run by a renegade nun, Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett). A new charge (Aswan Reid) is delivered in the dead of night – a boy who appears to have special powers. However, the boy's Indigenous spiritual life does not mesh with the mission's Christianity and his mysterious power becomes a threat. Sister Eileen is faced with a choice between the traditions of her faith and the truth embodied in the boy, in this story of spiritual struggle and the cost of survival.

Director: Warwick Thornton
Producer: Cate Blanchett, Georgie Pym, Kath Shelper, Andrew Upton
Screenwriter: Warwick Thornton, Warwick Thornton
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: First National Pictures, Dirty Films
Genre: Drama, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 23, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 30, 2025
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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