Ocean Boy

Uneven Australian drama has language, drugs, violence.
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Ocean Boy
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Ocean Boy is an Australian family drama, set in the 1980s and inspired by real events, with frequent strong language, drugs, and occasional violence. The film is centered around misfit youngster Rockit (Rasmus King), who must navigate the instability in his life that's often caused by his drug-dealer father, Bosch (Luke Hemsworth), and his mentally vulnerable mother, Elizabeth (Leeanna Walsman). Both Rockit and Bosch are kind-hearted, but Rockit struggles to socialize and adapt because of all the disruption in his life. Language is strong and constant, with variations of "f--k" and repeated use of "c--t" as characters express fear, anger, and distress. Violence is occasional and is usually due to Bosch's criminal lifestyle. Characters smoke pot and snort cocaine, as well as deal both drugs for substantial amounts of money. Characters also smoke cigarettes and drink to excess. There is little diversity, but the movie does indirectly address topics such as mental health, with both Rockit and fellow outsider Ash-Ash (Savannah La Rain) expressing feelings of uncertainty and neglect because of their upbringings. The movie is known as Bosch & Rockit in some territories.
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What's the Story?
Set in Australia in the 1980s, OCEAN BOY follows troubled teen Rockit (Rasmus King) and his complicated relationship with his drug-dealer father Bosch (Luke Hemsworth).
Is It Any Good?
Basically a Hallmark movie with drug dealing and (a lot) of swearing, this Australian film attempts to be a family drama about healing. There was probably an intriguing father-son crime drama in the reeds of Ocean Boy -- also known as Bosch & Rockit -- or a slow-burn story about a troubled teen whose unforgiving home life is gradually revealed. But instead we get an awkwardly matched bit of both.
What starts off as a movie about a drug dealer on the run with his son in tow quickly loses both its shape and its momentum. The chemistry between Hemsworth and King holds the attention, but only to underline that here we have a talented cast not being given enough to work with. Plot threads come and go with no real through-line, which might accurately capture the chaos of being raised by a small-time crook, but doesn't serve the characters or the audience. Lashings of cheesy musical cues and abrupt switches from profanity-laced arguments to sentimental confessions give the movie an uneven tone, to boot.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the strong language used in Ocean Boy. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How were drinking, smoking, and drugs portrayed? Were there consequences? Did it glamorize them?
Discuss the violence in the movie. Was it essential to the plot? Why, or why not? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How did Rockit's home life impact his mental health?
Talk about Rockit's love of surfing. How did it give him the self-confidence he didn't have school? Why is it important to nurture the things you're passionate about?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 3, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: February 3, 2023
- Cast: Luke Hemsworth, Rasmus King, Isabel Lucas
- Director: Tyler Atkins
- Studio: Gravitas Ventures
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 106 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 11, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love emotional drama
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