Boy Erased

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Boy Erased Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Moving, mature conversion-therapy drama has strong cast.

R 2018 114 minutes
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 8 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Boy Erased is a drama based on Garrard Conley's memoir about being forced to attend faith-based conversion therapy after coming out as gay to his Arkansas preacher father. From writer-director-actor Joel Edgerton and starring Lucas Hedges, Russell Crowe, and Nicole Kidman, the movie tackles mature themes including sexual identity, the evangelical Christian position on LGBTQ+ rights, rape, suicidal ideation, and therapies that attempt to force people (in this case, a college-age teen) to stop "choosing" to be gay. Language is occasionally strong, with a few uses of words like "f--k," "s--t," and "f--got." Characters drink and smoke pot, and there's kissing/embracing and sex talk. A young man is raped by his friend, another character dies by suicide (off-camera), and a family is told to hit their son/brother with a bible. Ultimately, though, the movie stresses the importance of accepting people as they are and having the courage to stand up for what you believe. It also encourages honesty and non-judgmental love between parents and kids. Parents and teens will have plenty to discuss after watching.

Community Reviews

Andrew102
Andrew102 Adult
January 30, 2019
age 15+

Hard to watch but necessary!

I think that Boy Erased is a disturbing film, as it shows the reality and the true horrors of conversion therapy, and the way the story is handled, I like the back and four scenes where we have more context of why is Jared in the place where he is. Other thing that the movie shows, apart from what's wrong with conversion therapy, but it also shows and deals with a hard subject to talk about and its rape, in which it also shows how men are also victims of sexual abuse, and the scene where it happens is like a horror movie because it is reality, it happens. Although the whole movie is traumatic, it's necessary to be watched by a lot of people to know that this happens and should be stopped. In a cinematic perspective, it is a great movie, it is well acted, well directed, the cinematography is amazing and the whole movie, in general, is great. I wish to have seen more of the love story that Jared had, but I know that they didn't address it as it wasn't the main focus of the film. (But still, I wanted to watch more of his...)

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
jareconfier
jareconfier Adult
April 22, 2020
age 16+

I love this movie but one scene is very disturbing

You left out in the sex section that around 30-40 minutes in the main character is raped in college!

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BOY ERASED is based on Garrard Conley's same-named memoir about growing up as the son of a Baptist minister in Arkansas and being sent to Christian conversion therapy after coming out to his parents as gay. Directed by Joel Edgerton, the drama stars Lucas Hedges as "Jared" and Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman as his evangelical Christian parents, Marshall and Nancy. Jared is willing to attend the harsh therapy to appease his parents, who tell him they have no place for him at home or church if he's not willing to change. But the program turns out to be harmful and causes many of the attendees to feel isolated and suicidal. As Jared comes to terms with his faith, family, and sexual identity, he grows hopeful that he and his parents can still have a relationship.

Is It Any Good?

This powerful drama benefits from moving performances and a thoughtful script that tells the heartrending story of a young gay man who's tackling faith and identity. Hedges, who earned an Oscar nomination for Manchester by the Sea and leads Boy Erased, impresses as a kind, intelligent, and loving teen who's struggling to reconcile his sexual identity with his upbringing in a conservative Baptist church. And while Aussies Crowe and Kidman may not have perfect Arkansas accents, they're very believable as well-meaning but confused Christian parents. Hedges plays Jared with nuanced restraint. He loves God and his parents, and he figures that "praying away the gay" must be worth it if it will take away the confusion and guilt he initially feels.

The stellar ensemble also includes the always fabulous Cherry Jones in a memorable cameo as an Arkansas doctor who holds science in one hand and God in the other, meaning that she knows there's nothing "wrong" with Jared. Her role is small, but it's important, as is Kidman's; Nancy ultimately puts her love for her son above the desires of her husband or the elders of his church. There's no denying that this movie, like the memoir it's based on, has a clear message: Conversion therapy is harmful at best and hateful at worst. Those who agree will find this film a moving reminder of how disenfranchised LGBTQ+ teens in certain religious communities are -- until they can live freely and be true to themselves.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether any of the characters in Boy Erased are role models. If so, why? What character strengths do they display?

  • What's the movie's ultimate message about sexual identity? What do you think about the movie's ending? How did it make you feel?

  • How does the movie portray the evangelical community's stance on queer individuals? Does it portray any characters unfairly?

  • Does the movie make you want to learn more about Garrard Conley and his story?

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