The Boy

STX Entertainment | Release Date: January 22, 2016

7.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 293 Ratings

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User Reviews

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grete03Dec 5, 2017

I`m usually not a big fan of horror films, but "The Boy" was worth all the scary parts. I wasn`t actually expecting much from this film as I`d seen the trailer earlier, but as soon as I saw it, I took my words back. It is a gripping film,I`m usually not a big fan of horror films, but "The Boy" was worth all the scary parts. I wasn`t actually expecting much from this film as I`d seen the trailer earlier, but as soon as I saw it, I took my words back. It is a gripping film, which has a thought-provoking plot. The plot is in my point of view very interesting. There`s a nanny Greta who has to take care of a life-sized doll, she also has a strict schedule. The doll starts to move himself and Greta believes he`s alive. The film has an unexpected ending. I liked that there wasn`t used almost any stunts, special effects and overall it wasn`t very violent. The script is clever and moving, too. Altough this film is a bit similar to many other scary movies, it`s still a convincing story. I`m not interested in light-hearted films, such as most of the romantic comedys etc. Overall, "The Boy" is in my opinion powerful and gripping. I recommend it wholeheartedly to everyone.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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survivorfan989Feb 22, 2019

A fun Horror flick with a good amount of suspense and a twist ending that I certainly didn't see coming.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Giantmonkey101Apr 14, 2016

Good movie, i was never bored watching it, very interesting story with a very unsuspecting ending, didn't see that one coming. I enjoyed it more than 90 percent of the rest of the suspenseful horror trash out there.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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quincytheodoreJan 27, 2016

"The Boy" benefits from atmospheric visual, hissing audio and twisting narrative to make it more alive

There's an appeal on how the movie creates an expectation to what kind of horror it may present, then turns it around with playful"The Boy" benefits from atmospheric visual, hissing audio and twisting narrative to make it more alive

There's an appeal on how the movie creates an expectation to what kind of horror it may present, then turns it around with playful change in direction. It might not be all too shocking or innovative, yet the clever shift coupled with nice backdrop of quaint village setting serve as a nice foray into mystery thriller. It does however, possesses occasional conflicting tones that might undermine the tension from its enigmatic theme.

Greta (Lauren Cohen) is offered a job on rural English and it comes as a surprise to her that the job entailed is much stranger than she previously thought. While this might seem like a deal-breaker, the money is good enough to make her stick around. After a short moment there she finds strange occurrences happening to her, some of which are alarmingly eerie.

The movie is at its best when it provides a mysterious vibe. It makes audience wonder whether this is a supernatural haunting, a psychological breakdown or sinister curse. The visual for "The Boy" itself is ominously creepy while the audio plays a good role in creating the suspense. It's often the visual and audio clues that create a lingering sense of curiosity, perhaps even more effective than some of its actual scares.

Its flaws reside on the tired occurrences of "Is it a dream?" gimmick, which accompanied by a couple of lackluster jump scares. This is also a movie with a small cast, while the actors perform appropriately for most parts, there are some moments where the change of tone seems too jarring and might even ruin the immersion.

A few hiccups from the jolting pace aside, "The Boy" has assortments of amusing tricks and mysteriously creepy production to play with delightful horror.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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DotTheEyesJan 22, 2016

To escape an abusive relationship, Greta (Lauren Cohan) moves from America to rural England, finding a position as a caregiver for a wealthy couple's child. Only after she is at their large manor do they reveal the quote-unquote child,To escape an abusive relationship, Greta (Lauren Cohan) moves from America to rural England, finding a position as a caregiver for a wealthy couple's child. Only after she is at their large manor do they reveal the quote-unquote child, Brahms, is in fact a life-sized porcelain doll, a representation of the troubled son they lost in a fire 20 years ago. Greta, left alone when the husband and wife go on holiday, is instructed to adhere to a strict routine, including feeding, playing music for, and reading stories to her charge, whom she slowly begins to suspect may be more than just a pacifying toy for her elderly and grieving employers. This is a small, but creepy, entertaining, and well-told mystery with extremely handsome production design and a sympathetic lead performance by Cohan. William Brent Bell is a poorly regarded director due to the mediocre video-game slasher Stay Alive and the godawful found-footage film The Devil Inside, but in a surprise twist, he proves rather adept at emulating the this-old-house atmosphere and slowly burning suspense of a film such as The Changeling.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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lelefoxx00Jan 30, 2016

A fantastic thriller in every way. It starts off very interesting and only gets more and more interesting along the way. Lauren Cohen is fantastic and gives a wonderful performance. It keeps it's creepy fill throughout and doesn't rely onA fantastic thriller in every way. It starts off very interesting and only gets more and more interesting along the way. Lauren Cohen is fantastic and gives a wonderful performance. It keeps it's creepy fill throughout and doesn't rely on cheap jump scares to carry the film. The plot twist is genius and truly creeps up on you. You do not see it coming. I had high hopes for this movie and was not disappointed.… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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MovieGoer14Jan 22, 2016

With an exceptional twist (that seems nonsense at first, but as you think about it the more you buy and appreciate it) and an incredible lead (Laura Cohen), The Boy takes on both grounds, one that questions whether the doll is alive, or isWith an exceptional twist (that seems nonsense at first, but as you think about it the more you buy and appreciate it) and an incredible lead (Laura Cohen), The Boy takes on both grounds, one that questions whether the doll is alive, or is there a more rational explanation? In which, the movie's premise never fails to entice the viewer, plus the lead's reasonable motives makes the movie more of "I would have done the same" type of horror film rather than "your average January horror film. So with Barely any jump scares, the movie is more creepy, mysterious and a puzzle rather than just flat out scary.… Expand

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

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mateusapresentaFeb 26, 2016

Fresh plot and awesome twist in the genre. This movie is so beautiful and scary. On my top 10 horror movies of all time. The cast is great and Laura Cohen did good beyond The Walking Dead.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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MoviesForeverApr 5, 2016

Exceptional and well-acted, The Boy is intense, terrifying and surprisingly sad. It might not be the scary movie you'd want it to be but it is all worth the wait for the twist.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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PanchogulJul 27, 2020

Es una película bastante buena, la trama está bien estructurada y desarrollada, sin ser perfecta logra ser entretenida, los sustos en su mayoría se limitan a los típicos jumpscares pero en este caso están bien logrados, lo mejor es que no esEs una película bastante buena, la trama está bien estructurada y desarrollada, sin ser perfecta logra ser entretenida, los sustos en su mayoría se limitan a los típicos jumpscares pero en este caso están bien logrados, lo mejor es que no es la típica película de muñecos malvados, de alguna forma se las arregla para ser diferente del resto.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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l3eelzebubJan 24, 2016

For a horror movie this was not that bad. After what we have seen for the past decade I would rate this somewhere in the top ten. Although "The Boy" is more focused on atmosphere and plot for the scares. It gives you a pretty decent vibe ofFor a horror movie this was not that bad. After what we have seen for the past decade I would rate this somewhere in the top ten. Although "The Boy" is more focused on atmosphere and plot for the scares. It gives you a pretty decent vibe of the "ooky spookies" but does not make you want to cover your eyes in fear of a small seemingly haunted doll. There are a few jump scares but you can almost certainly tell when they are coming. I won't lie one of them got me. I would invite you to watch this film. Plus the ending is not what you expect. It will make you think at the end.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Troubledkid97Oct 5, 2018

One of the best horror movies I've seen. It's one of a few movies where everything will make sense in the end and will keep you satisfied.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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KrimJun 12, 2016

The Boy competes well with other recent films in the genre. There is definitely a creepy atmosphere through-out the film and the actual doll is very unnerving. Many reviews I read before watching attacked the 'poor twist', but I actuallyThe Boy competes well with other recent films in the genre. There is definitely a creepy atmosphere through-out the film and the actual doll is very unnerving. Many reviews I read before watching attacked the 'poor twist', but I actually enjoyed it and thought it was a really interesting perspective. I enjoyed watching the entire film and didn't feel there were any moments I was bored. It isn't a masterpiece but it's a strong horror in it's own right and definitely worth the watch. Green rating deserved.… Expand