Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intense Thai drama has sex, violence, and language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Doi Boy
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In DOI BOY, Wan (aka Sorn) is a refugee from Myanmar making a living as a sex worker in the Chang Mai province of Thailand. His friend Korn is also a sex worker, and so is his girlfriend Bee. Unbeknownst to Wan, one of his customers is an undercover cop -- Ji -- who struggles with his conscience after he takes part in the killing of a protestor against the government. When the protestor's boyfriend, Wuth, is next targeted to go "missing," Wi wants to figure out a way to rescue Wuth. When Wan gets into trouble with the law and the bureaucracy concerning his refugee status, Wi steps in to help Wan, and offers him the chance to get a new job, this time as an undercover cop, but on the condition that he helps Wi to get Wuth out of Thailand and back to his hometown in Myanmar. As Wi, Wuth, and Wan begin their attempt to sneak across the border, nothing goes as planned, and Wi's efforts to try and make amends for murder result in danger for himself.
Is It Any Good?
This is a powerful and unsparing portrait of the lives of refugee sex workers in the Chang Mai province of Thailand. Doi Boy presents these characters with tremendous empathy, and there is an undercurrent of anger as the movie addresses the plight of refugees from Myanmar, human trafficking, and protestors against the government who go "missing." It's a sad story, but, perhaps surprisingly, there are moments of joy in the middle of the characters' struggles to survive, struggles with bureaucracy, and struggles with police.
The themes and messages intertwined with the story are masterfully presented, devoid of heavy-handed preachiness or mawkish victimhood. It is a movie not easily forgotten, a glimpse into the lives of those most likely to become targets of human trafficking. It's also a rewarding viewing, as the layers of complexity reveal themselves as the story takes off. It gives the viewer a lot to think about for days after watching it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the status of Wan and Korn as refugees in Thailand. Why do they become sex workers? How does the movie show the challenges they face?
The movie is set at the onset of the global Covid pandemic. How does this affect the characters in the movie?
How does the movie address concerns like the plight of refugees in Thailand escaping Myanmar, human trafficking, and political repression?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 24, 2023
- Cast : Awat Ratanapintha , Arak Amornsupasiri , Bhumibhat Thavornsiri
- Director : Nontawat Numbenchapol
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 21, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate