Boy

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

31K

YOUR RATING

Set on the east coast of New Zealand in the year 1984, Boy, an 11-year-old kid and devout Michael Jackson fan gets a chance to know his father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.

Play trailer2:21

4 Videos

46 Photos

Coming-of-Age Comedy Drama

Boy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a ba... Read allBoy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.Boy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

31K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 13 wins & 9 nominations total

Videos4

Trailer 2:21

U.S. Version

Clip 7:32

A Guide to the Work of Taika Waititi

Clip 7:32

A Guide to the Work of Taika Waititi

Clip 2:31

Taika Waititi - Do Your Own Thing

Clip 4:10

Taika Look at the Waititi Way

Photos46

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Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, and director Marc Webb take our Ultimate Disney Quiz.

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Director Taika Waititi was less than a week away from filming when he realised the boy he had as lead wasn't working out. Three days before filming began, James Rolleston, who was hanging around on set as an extra, was given the lead by Taika Waititi.

Goofs
The Goodnight Kiwi that was shown on the TV during Shutdown was the incorrect version for the period. The film used the early 1990's version with the TV2 logo at the bottom at the end. In 1984, it should have ended with the message "Goodnight from Television New Zealand".

Quotes
Mr. Langston: People call me a dumb honky all the time. I don't go round punching them.
Boy: Why not?
Mr. Langston: Because they're usually children.

Crazy credits
The credits start with the names and roles of the three main actors and this is followed by a spoof of Michael Jackson's "Thriller", incorporating elements of the original dance (as seen on the music video) and Maori Hakas.

Connections
Featured in Boy: Outtakes (2010)

Soundtracks
Hine e Hine
(Traditional)
Performed by The Phoenix Foundation

User reviews86

Featured review

9/10

It's the afterglow that counts

I had been told how funny this movie was, and there are quite a few chuckles in the first 20 minutes or so, and then it buckles down to show us the real story of pre-pubescence in a rural community and the father-son thing. It was explored in depth and very well too, and never gets nasty as some NZ movies can do, but still wrings your heart out. The end-piece was stunning, utilising the obsession with a teenage Michael Jackson and humour as only the NZ Maori do. I left the theatre with mixed feelings but since then I have felt buoyed up (sorry) and am remembering it fondly. Will definitely see it again and may add it to my small collection of NZ films. Others have mentioned Eagle and Shark and Secondhand Wedding, but this is more historical and captures the era perfectly. Well done all - especially to all the actors under 20, we know the adults can act, but these fellas will be worth watching out for in the future.