Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, nudity in excellent LGBTQ+ military drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Boots
What's the Story?
Desperate to get out of his dead-end town and away from his irresponsible mom, Barbara (Vera Farmiga), Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer) lets his best friend Ray (Liam Oh) convince him to put on his BOOTS and enlist in the Marines—despite the fact that if anyone finds out Cameron is gay, he'll be immediately kicked out. Boot camp is brutal for every new recruit. But for Cameron in 1990, four years before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legally allowed closeted LGBTQ+ people to serve in the military, it's a whole lot more dangerous, too.
Is It Any Good?
It's impossible not to sympathize with Cameron at the beginning of this based-on-a-true-story tale tracing his transformation from a terrified new recruit to a tough invulnerable Marine. In Boots, Cameron looks like he weighs 100 pounds soaking wet, and has a face that betrays every emotion—he's a sitting duck for the harsh, pitiless conditions of boot camp. His fellow recruits immediately peg him as weak sauce; drill sergeants pick him out for especially cutting insults and humiliating, sometimes painful punishments. Worst of all, Cameron is terrified that someone will guess his secret, especially since his platoon-mate Nash (Dominic Goodman) is entirely too cute.
But Cameron has a core of strength that can surprise people, even himself. After all, he's been living with a mom who's dragged her two sons to 12 different towns in the last 10 years because she "likes to avoid the consequences of her actions." All that tumult, all those years of making new friends when he fears anyone knowing his true self: It turned Cameron into a survivor. He has a powerful inner voice (depicted in Boots by allowing Cameron to talk to his conscience as if he were a twin) who refuses to let Cameron put himself down. Cameron's fighting a very hard battle indeed, in a place that gives him no quarter. But he refuses to give in—he keeps on going despite being a square peg in the military's round hole. He makes you want to cheer him on.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the attitudes toward homosexuality seen in Boots. Are gay Marines allowed to be out to their colleagues? How are gay Marines treated? What has changed since the series' setting in 1990? Is it any better today to be LGBTQ+ in the military?
Families can also talk about Cameron's dilemma: He's a gay man in a place where he could be punished for his sexuality. What types of dangers does he face? How does he hide his sexuality? What are the consequences of gay characters in Boots being forced to hide their identities? Who benefits, and who gets hurt?
Dramas that revolve around boot camp are relatively common in TV shows and movies. Why? What's unique or interesting about these places? Why do mean drill sergeants show up so often in movies about the military?
Which characters demonstrate courage and perseverance? How are those traits revealed? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 9, 2025
- Cast : Miles Heizer , Blake Burt , Ana Ayora
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship , History ( War: Other )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 28, 2025
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