Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unoriginal but well-made "creepy doll" horror movie.
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The Boy
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 22 parent reviews
Based on 84 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a mixed bag, with some enjoying its creepy twists and suspense while others found it disappointing and poorly executed. Many reviews mention the violence and suggest it's suitable for a mature audience, citing its unexpected plot elements and limited jump scares, making it an acceptable choice for older teens but potentially unsettling for younger viewers.
- mixed reviews
- suitable for teens
- unexpected twists
- limited jump scares
- moderate violence
- creepy atmosphere
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
American nanny Greta (Lauren Cohan) takes a job in a remote mansion in the English countryside, where she's told she'll be looking after a boy named Brahms. But when she arrives, Greta's shocked to see that Brahms is actually a doll -- and that his "parents" (Diana Hardcastle and Jim Norton) want her to follow a daily routine with it while they're on holiday. At first, Greta ignores the doll, but then strange things start happening: Her clothes disappear, and she finds herself locked in the attic at night. A handsome grocery delivery man, Malcolm (Rupert Evans), tells her everything he knows about the family and helps out, but nothing can prepare Greta for what's really going on inside the house.
Is It Any Good?
While it's not a terribly original entry in the "creepy doll" horror subgenre, this fright flick nonetheless offers interesting characters, a strong cast, expert pacing, and a spooky atmosphere. Resorting to annoying jump-scares only a couple of times, director William Brent Bell (of the decidedly inferior The Devil Inside) takes his time exploring the scary old house, using animal heads, off-kilter angles, and sound to give THE BOY a sense of dread. Bell even goes back to that old standby, the shower scene, to add vulnerability to his character.
The scary things that actually happen are nothing new, but that they happen to the appealing Greta helps a great deal. She seems like a real person with good sense and an actual past, and she relates to Malcolm in a genuine way. Likewise, veteran English thespians Hardcastle and Norton bring dignity and style to their roles, which could easily have been jokey throwaways.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Boy's violence. Which threat was scarier, the one from real life or the one from the doll? How much violence was actually shown? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Is the movie scary? How does it compare to other horror movies you've seen? What's the appeal of the horror genre? What about "scary doll" movies?
What would you have done in Greta's place? Take care of the doll? Ignore it and have a good time? Run?
Greta has been victimized by various men; does she stand up for herself? How?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 22, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : May 10, 2016
- Cast : Lauren Cohan , Rupert Evans , Diana Hardcastle
- Director : William Brent Bell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : STX Entertainment
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and terror, and for some thematic material
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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