The Book of Henry

Focus Features | Release Date: June 16, 2017

4.7	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 66 Ratings

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User Reviews

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CommonsenseLadyJun 17, 2017

I am so glad the level of hatred spewed by the critics on this movie did not deter me from watching it. It was amazing. So beautiful and thoughtful and put me through all emotions while it unfolded. It is so well done and I am not sure II am so glad the level of hatred spewed by the critics on this movie did not deter me from watching it. It was amazing. So beautiful and thoughtful and put me through all emotions while it unfolded. It is so well done and I am not sure I understand why critics want it to fail so badly. It's the kind of movie that stays with you. People around me were so touched by it as well, we all enjoyed it very much. Don't let the haters prevent you from seeing this one of a kind treasure.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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meldrewSep 23, 2017

I just had to see a film described in one place as 'demented'.

But even as a cynical 60 year old faced with what turns out to be an emotionally manipulative piece of work, I don't get the critical and public hate for The Book of Henry. Yes,I just had to see a film described in one place as 'demented'.

But even as a cynical 60 year old faced with what turns out to be an emotionally manipulative piece of work, I don't get the critical and public hate for The Book of Henry.

Yes, it's nonsense and the plot doesn't bear close scrutiny. Neither do most films. But it's a decent piece of entertainment. I'm bemused by the savage reviews that will stop most people watching this even when it turns up free on TV, but I'm probably too stupid to understand why superior intellects consider this a cinematic disaster.

Watch it, make your own mind up.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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temptershellOct 3, 2017

The moving story of incredible motherly love and brilliant boy. Heroes have to deal with adversities of live. Well played, kept tense to the very end and additionally has great shots.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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buffboyOct 9, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very smart movie - but not as smart as Henry! This movie had me guessing every step of the way, but Henry was always one step ahead.
A must watch for momboys and their moms.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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alexresende1Oct 17, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Filme muito bom, o meio me deixou um pouco assustado e confuso, mas a cena no hospital em que o Henry morre foi fantástica, muito comovente e realista.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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memonaribaAug 31, 2018

The story absolutely touched my heart and I loved it. I don't really get why it got such negative critique as it was amazing in my opinion. I am thankful for those people who didn't really like it but still took the positive side of it intoThe story absolutely touched my heart and I loved it. I don't really get why it got such negative critique as it was amazing in my opinion. I am thankful for those people who didn't really like it but still took the positive side of it into consideration before rating. I guess it does depend on a person's personality and their perspective. Through my perspective i absolutely loved the movie. The concept and feels and the emotional content left me with tears at parts. There were some issues but most movies also do. Overall this movie really focused on the emotion and concept through the story. The transaction could have been better but overall I honestly don't understand why its getting so much hate. I hope people focus on the emotional content more and don't rate it straight zero and try to actually take in the positive aspects!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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meydianarizki21Nov 5, 2020

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

I will NOT discuss how this story unfolds. Our main protagonist, Henry, is an 11 year old genius. He is almost too smart to be believed but, being rather smart myself, I have spent lots ofThis is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

I will NOT discuss how this story unfolds.

Our main protagonist, Henry, is an 11 year old genius. He is almost too smart to be believed but, being rather smart myself, I have spent lots of time around smart people, even when I was growing up, and I can tell you from first hand experience that there are kids like Henry out there. Sadly they are rare.

Our second protagonist, Henry's mother, cares deeply about her two sons. She is a single mother, and that's relevant to the plot. We are never told how she came to be a single mother, but that is unimportant.

Being such a good mother she has imbued Henry and his younger brother with a sense of decency and responsibility, and Henry uses his genius in his own unique ways. It's a delight to watch. When I was his age I did a number of the same things, but clearly he is way beyond where I was at 11 years old.

The story takes off when we find out that Henry has figured out, correctly, that the girl next door, a classmate of his, is being abused by her step father, and Henry sets out to stop it.

Henry is driven by a powerful sense of injustice about what is happening to the girl, something I understand well. I know this because I was a severely abused child myself. My own mother was "less than ideal", but there were other adults in my childhood who were there for me so my life has turned out well in spite of my mother.

But because of my background I know the rage at betrayal which Henry feels, and I know his determination to set things right. As the story unfolds we see his determination to end the girl's abuse, and the story beautifully lays out for us the reasons why it goes in the direction it does.

This is an intelligent, carefully crafted, nearly flawless story. I urge you to go see it. For me it is one of the best movies ever.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DawdlingPoetNov 25, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was an interesting film - I liked seeing things from the childs perspective. Certainly at the start of the film there's no real clue as to the darker tone it'll take. It did feel like there were a few plots, or sub-plots, present in the one film and I did find myself a little unsure about when certain things had happened, which were clearly implied but then I admit I was a little distracted while watching it.

It felt, to me, like a somewhat/relatively original watch (not entirely original but somewhat original), given the form and viewpoint that its taken from. I enjoyed watching the brothers get along together and I thought the cast did well. I suppose I'd have liked to have seen a bit more in terms of what Henry saw the apparently suspicious neighbour doing. I couldn't not feel empathy towards Henry's mother, given the circumstances and I certainly felt frustrated at how she treated her sons suspicions at first. Its an interesting, somewhat thought provoking watch, not one suitable for young children given the themes, although it does appear to be a family film at first, with the children of the family seeming relatively innocent and childlike, except for the clearly mature intelligence of the titular character Henry but the tone becomes decidedly darker after a while. I'd recommend this film on the proviso that its an emotional and potentially upsetting watch at times, as it deals with abuse.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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