The Loneliest Boy in the World
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The Loneliest Boy in the World
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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 The Loneliest Boy in the World is a horror comedy with particularly dark humor and plenty of gore. Loner Oliver (Max Harwood) needs to make friends so digs up corpses, which come to life. This makeshift family gives the movie a feel-good message of acceptance and friendship but also features a dead young child, who in one scene loses her head. One for horror fans, the gore is realistic and grizzly, while the risky jokes might not be for everyone. There is a plane crash, a car accident, and characters are electrocuted and impaled. Strong language throughout includes "s--t" and variants of "f--k."
What's the Story?
Set around Halloween in 1987, THE LONELIEST BOY IN THE WORLD finds loner Oliver (Max Harwood) tasked with making a friend in a week or being sent to an asylum. Luckily, his plan to dig up corpses pays off when his undead companions come to life.
Is It Any Good?
Delivered with charm and confidence by director Martin Owen, this is a pretty wild ride that draws from horror-comedy classics but manages to forge its own weird world. Admittedly an acquired taste, The Loneliest Boy in the World should please fans of the likes of An American Werewolf in London, Swiss Army Man, or Life After Beth.
A heady tone hangs over the movie and scenes flit between unsettling creepiness and hilariously poor taste. This is lively fantasy filmmaking, shot with flair to produce a confident vision made with a limited budget. The performances from the British and American cast are all enjoyable and help sell the fantastical story. While it starts to run out of steam by the end, the heartwarming message still lands.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether The Loneliest Boy in the World was scary. Did you enjoy the gory scenes? What's the appeal of scary movies?
What did you think of the movie's humor? Is death a suitable subject for jokes? Do you think any subjects are off limits?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 14, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: October 18, 2022
- Cast: Max Harwood, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Ashley Benson
- Director: Martin Owen
- Studio: Well Go USA Entertainment
- Genre: Horror
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy, Teamwork
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language and violent content
- Last updated: December 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
An American Werewolf in London
Landmark horror comedy has violence, sex, nudity, language.
-
Swiss Army Man
Slightly unsettling, but ultimately weird and wonderful.
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Life After Beth
Deadpan "romzomcom" likely to have cult appeal for teens.
For kids who love zombies
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