Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Injury detail, discrimination in striking but slow drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The New Boy
What's the Story?
Set in 1940s Australia, THE NEW BOY finds a young Indigenous boy (Aswan Reid) captured by police and taken to a Catholic mission to be raised in its orphanage. There, Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett) is equally in awe and fear of the powers he shows, which she struggles to reconcile with her faith.
Is It Any Good?
Debut actor Reid proves a strong on-screen presence in the title role of writer-director Warwick Thornton's fantasy drama. The New Boy combines the subjects of colonialism and religion with stunning cinematography and moments of magical realism in a unique film that works better in some places than others. It's heavy with allegory and religious imagery, but Reid's performance gives the film a buoyancy that stops it falling flat. The newcomer barely utters a word during the nearly two-hour run time, but his eyes speak volumes. Such is his magnetism that his ability to spark light with his fingers and heal others almost feels plausible. There's a kind of magic in the actor that shines on-screen, even when he shares it with Oscar winner Blanchett. Beyond, the landscapes are beautifully rendered and some impactful shots—a close-up of the boy's eye from within a sack, his face illuminated by a magical spark of light from the end of his finger—are memorable flourishes. The narrative itself is less impactful, but there are plenty of important thoughts at play here: identity, erasure, morality, beliefs ... even if it's not always entirely clear how they fit together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages of The New Boy. What do you think the film was saying about identity and faith? What other themes and topics stood out to you?
The story is that of an Indigenous character played by an Indigenous actor and written and directed by a person of Indigenous heritage. Why is it important to tell the stories of underrepresented groups, and why is it important that productions include people from within those groups? Why representation matters in kids' media.
Can you think of times during the film when the central character showed curiosity, empathy, or courage? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 23, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : May 30, 2025
- Cast : Cate Blanchett , Aswan Reid , Deborah Mailman
- Director : Warwick Thornton
- Inclusion Information : Indigenous Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Empathy
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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