Beloved actor’s psychological thriller from Oscar-nominated director could possibly be good late night time viewing
The movie is now streaming on Prime Video(Image: Signature Entertainment)
A ‘wickedly unusual’ thriller that stars a celebrated actor is a tough watch for some viewers.
The Good Boy was just lately added to Prime Video’s streaming library. It was initially launched in cinemas again in 2025 however might have handed by most audiences. In some territories, the movie was often known as Heel.
It is the primary English language movie by Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa, identified for beforehand making Corpus Christi. That title was nominated for Best International Film on the Oscars, however missed out to Parasite.
While The Good Boy is usually categorised as a horror, some counsel it’s extra intently lined with the thriller and household drama genres. According to its synopsis, the story follows 19-year-old hooligan Tommy, who revels in a lifetime of medication, events, and violence.
One night time, on a bender along with his reckless buddies, he turns into separated from the group and is kidnapped by an unknown determine. Though he’s no stranger to inflicting violence, he’s enraged and horrified when he wakes to find himself chained within the basement of the remoted suburban household house of Chris, his spouse Kathryn and their younger son Jonathan.
The household units out to reform Tommy’s unruly behaviour. In doing in order that they power him to adjust to their relentless thoughts video games or search escape at any value.
Its forged is lead by the multi-award successful, Liverpool-born actor Stephen Graham, identified for his previous roles in Peaky Blinders, Adolescence, Boiling Point, Line of Duty and This Is England to title just a few. Graham takes on the sinister function of patriarch Chris, whereas he’s joined by Alice & Jack’s Andrea Riseborough and MobLand’s Anson Boon.
Despite its restricted cinematic launch it was an enormous hit with the critics, scoring 87% on web site Rotten Tomatoes. One reviewer described it as “a sick, twisted nightmare” whereas one other known as it “wickedly strange and sick”. Meanwhile there’s anticipated reward for Graham’s efficiency which is dubbed “superbly creepy”.
Another critic penned: ” This is a curious, unsettling picture, with parallels to A Clockwork Orange: in this meeting of monsters.” One claimed: “Good Boy is relentlessly bleak ‘fun’ and twisty-turny throughout, with Stephen Graham once again excelling in a role about adolescence of a different kind.”
Many fans appear to agree though one warned some might battle to get via. They posted: “It was difficult to watch but rewarding in the end. Interesting story told well.”
It could possibly be the proper late night time watch over the weekend as one viewer commented: “This film keeps you guessing from start to finish! The Good Boy is a thoroughly disturbing yet highly enjoyable piece of cinema. It’s rare to see black comedy executed this well, but it completely hits the mark – keeping you laughing even through its darkest, most unsettling moments.”
One particular person went as far as to name it “a disturbingly relevant masterpiece.” Someone else admitted it received an excessive amount of at occasions as they commented: “ I fully enjoyed it. I had to pause it when he was trying to escape, so intense!”
The Good Boy is streaming on Prime Video.
