After being shot, Tom awakens from a coma to discover that fragments of his smartphone have been embedded in his head--and worse, that returning to normal teenage life is impossible because ... Read allAfter being shot, Tom awakens from a coma to discover that fragments of his smartphone have been embedded in his head--and worse, that returning to normal teenage life is impossible because he has developed a strange set of superpowers.After being shot, Tom awakens from a coma to discover that fragments of his smartphone have been embedded in his head--and worse, that returning to normal teenage life is impossible because he has developed a strange set of superpowers.
Featured reviews
iBoy (2017): iBoy has one of the most weirdest super powers plot.We have seen lot of superheroes origin and few of them are results of radiation accidents like Spiderman and Hulk but in iBoy he gets superpowers when he is on a call (Uses iPhone) and gets shot on head which gives him powers of telepathically hacking into any digital network.
Plot: Tom (Bill Milner), a shy, lonely teenage boy on an estate who interrupts some men who have sexually assaulted his friend Lucy (Williams) in a neighboring flat. They shoot at him and in the ensuing violent chaos, bits of his smartphone get stuck in his brain and he awakens from a coma with superpowers: he can telepathically hack into any digital network. Calling himself "iBoy" he sets out to avenge Lucy and take on the drug gangs.
What I felt:
iBoy with its weirdest plot did nothing weird to justify it.Even though they have a new idea,they followed the same revenge which happens in almost all of such films.He even does some weird ways of revenge some times lie hacking into Youtube.
Casting Maisie Williams,our own Arya Stark in this film is the major pro because if not for her,I would have skipped this film.Being a huge fan of her,I watched this film and I am glad that she didn't disappoint.Her screen presence is charming.Helped by the script's sharpest dialogue, the moments between her and Tom light up the movie. One particularly lovely scene finds them in her bedroom together, sending each other text messages without talking.
Effects are very good even with such limited budget.
Dark tone in picture looked like they seriously tried to imitate Daredevil (TV show).
So,iBoy had a weird but decent plot which could have done wonders but missed the opportunity and depended hugely on Maisie Williams screen presence.
My rating 6.25/10
Plot: Tom (Bill Milner), a shy, lonely teenage boy on an estate who interrupts some men who have sexually assaulted his friend Lucy (Williams) in a neighboring flat. They shoot at him and in the ensuing violent chaos, bits of his smartphone get stuck in his brain and he awakens from a coma with superpowers: he can telepathically hack into any digital network. Calling himself "iBoy" he sets out to avenge Lucy and take on the drug gangs.
What I felt:
iBoy with its weirdest plot did nothing weird to justify it.Even though they have a new idea,they followed the same revenge which happens in almost all of such films.He even does some weird ways of revenge some times lie hacking into Youtube.
Casting Maisie Williams,our own Arya Stark in this film is the major pro because if not for her,I would have skipped this film.Being a huge fan of her,I watched this film and I am glad that she didn't disappoint.Her screen presence is charming.Helped by the script's sharpest dialogue, the moments between her and Tom light up the movie. One particularly lovely scene finds them in her bedroom together, sending each other text messages without talking.
Effects are very good even with such limited budget.
Dark tone in picture looked like they seriously tried to imitate Daredevil (TV show).
So,iBoy had a weird but decent plot which could have done wonders but missed the opportunity and depended hugely on Maisie Williams screen presence.
My rating 6.25/10
The biggest mistake you can make going into iBoy is expecting something from the Marvel catalog.
Cause that is simply not going to happen.
Instead what you get is a solid Brit "estate gang" story (like Harry Brown 2009 or a dozen others you could probably recite from memory) with some Marvel/Spiderman superhero stuff cleverly thrown in.
And that is a mouthful because I have watched and reviewed a lot of films (check out my list, about 1300) and have never seen anything quite like this before.
Does it work? For the most part, YES. There are some pacing issues here and there, and it takes a while for the young lead to develop a character arc that the audience is comfortable with, but the suspense/payoff is rock-solid and nail-biting; and the close is edgy but respectful and optimistic.
The two best performances come from supporting actors -- another oddity.
Maisie Williams steals every scene not otherwise nailed down and does so with a sweetness of character that makes you wish you knew someone like her when you were in school.
And Rory Kinnear as the arch-villain almost but not quite moves into the rarefied air of a Bond film -- you keep waiting for him to say "WHAT DO I WANT IBOY, I WANT YOU TO DIE" -- but shows enough restraint to keep from falling over the edge.
In short, given the brilliant idea, the solid execution and its ability to keep the viewer both offguard and entertained at the same time, this a fun flick deserving of a higher IMDb score than I am seeing.
Recommended!
Cause that is simply not going to happen.
Instead what you get is a solid Brit "estate gang" story (like Harry Brown 2009 or a dozen others you could probably recite from memory) with some Marvel/Spiderman superhero stuff cleverly thrown in.
And that is a mouthful because I have watched and reviewed a lot of films (check out my list, about 1300) and have never seen anything quite like this before.
Does it work? For the most part, YES. There are some pacing issues here and there, and it takes a while for the young lead to develop a character arc that the audience is comfortable with, but the suspense/payoff is rock-solid and nail-biting; and the close is edgy but respectful and optimistic.
The two best performances come from supporting actors -- another oddity.
Maisie Williams steals every scene not otherwise nailed down and does so with a sweetness of character that makes you wish you knew someone like her when you were in school.
And Rory Kinnear as the arch-villain almost but not quite moves into the rarefied air of a Bond film -- you keep waiting for him to say "WHAT DO I WANT IBOY, I WANT YOU TO DIE" -- but shows enough restraint to keep from falling over the edge.
In short, given the brilliant idea, the solid execution and its ability to keep the viewer both offguard and entertained at the same time, this a fun flick deserving of a higher IMDb score than I am seeing.
Recommended!
A great double feature movie would be "Attack the Block," and "iBoy."
Bill Milner, playing an offbeat nerdy looking hero, commands every scene he appears in, which is pretty amazing, since Maisie Williams steals every scene she's in with her own unique beauty and a to-die-for personality. Ya, I've been a fan of hers since day one on "Game of Thrones."
"iBoy" has plenty of action, but it doesn't skimp on taking the time to get inside the character's heads. The special effects look cool, without overpowering the camera work, and the sets are perfect for the story.
Rory Kinnear, who I shall always remember as the Creature in "Penny Dreadful," gives us a near perfect villain, although I really wish they had given him more screen time.
Take a leap of faith and accept that having parts of an iPhone embedded in your brain turns you into a talented cyborg, and you will have a grand time. In other words, don't pick the movie apart. Just enjoy it.
Bill Milner, playing an offbeat nerdy looking hero, commands every scene he appears in, which is pretty amazing, since Maisie Williams steals every scene she's in with her own unique beauty and a to-die-for personality. Ya, I've been a fan of hers since day one on "Game of Thrones."
"iBoy" has plenty of action, but it doesn't skimp on taking the time to get inside the character's heads. The special effects look cool, without overpowering the camera work, and the sets are perfect for the story.
Rory Kinnear, who I shall always remember as the Creature in "Penny Dreadful," gives us a near perfect villain, although I really wish they had given him more screen time.
Take a leap of faith and accept that having parts of an iPhone embedded in your brain turns you into a talented cyborg, and you will have a grand time. In other words, don't pick the movie apart. Just enjoy it.
This movie has a lot of good qualities. A largely unknown cast come together nicely, and the cinematography, special effects and score are all very well done.
The story as a concept is pretty simple, and in the early stages of the movie things were looking very promising and I was enjoying it a lot. As the movie reaches its climax things began to run out of steam and a few unnecessary writing decisions opened up a number of plot holes which had me scratching my head at times. This movie didn't require the big ending it went for. Some more subtle twists and craft would have taken it to the next level and I can't help but thinking some big opportunities were missed.
Regardless, much of this movie is highly enjoyable and entertaining. I've certainly seen similar concepts executed far worse.
The story as a concept is pretty simple, and in the early stages of the movie things were looking very promising and I was enjoying it a lot. As the movie reaches its climax things began to run out of steam and a few unnecessary writing decisions opened up a number of plot holes which had me scratching my head at times. This movie didn't require the big ending it went for. Some more subtle twists and craft would have taken it to the next level and I can't help but thinking some big opportunities were missed.
Regardless, much of this movie is highly enjoyable and entertaining. I've certainly seen similar concepts executed far worse.
Boy, a cyber-technical thriller, delivers an engaging plot but falters in its execution when it comes to scientific reasoning, which could have elevated the movie's credibility and depth. The story revolves around a teenager, Tom (played by Bill Milner), who gains extraordinary abilities after a freak accident involving fragments of a smartphone embedded in his brain. While the premise is unique and intriguing, the lack of a solid scientific explanation for Tom's newfound powers feels like a missed opportunity. This shortfall leaves some viewers, especially those with an interest in technology and science, yearning for a more plausible narrative.
On the performance front, Maisie Williams shines as Lucy, a character who adds emotional depth and vulnerability to the story. Her portrayal is compelling, showcasing her range as an actress and making her character one of the highlights of the film. Bill Milner as Tom also delivers a commendable performance, convincingly portraying a teenager grappling with newfound powers and the moral dilemmas that come with them. His nuanced performance keeps the audience invested in his journey.
However, the movie's climax is where it stumbles the most. The resolution lacks the surprise or twists typical of thrillers, making the ending somewhat predictable. For a film that builds up tension and stakes throughout, the straightforward conclusion feels underwhelming. This predictability detracts from the overall impact, leaving viewers wishing for a more gripping finale.
Despite its flaws, iBoy is an engaging watch. The concept is fresh, the performances are strong, and the pacing keeps the audience hooked. For fans of cyber-related stories and those who appreciate solid acting, it's worth a watch. However, for those seeking a more scientifically grounded or twist-filled narrative, the film might fall short.
Rating: 6/10 While iBoy has its moments of brilliance, its inability to fully capitalize on its premise and its predictable climax prevent it from becoming a standout in the genre. Still, its engaging narrative and strong performances make it an enjoyable experience overall.
On the performance front, Maisie Williams shines as Lucy, a character who adds emotional depth and vulnerability to the story. Her portrayal is compelling, showcasing her range as an actress and making her character one of the highlights of the film. Bill Milner as Tom also delivers a commendable performance, convincingly portraying a teenager grappling with newfound powers and the moral dilemmas that come with them. His nuanced performance keeps the audience invested in his journey.
However, the movie's climax is where it stumbles the most. The resolution lacks the surprise or twists typical of thrillers, making the ending somewhat predictable. For a film that builds up tension and stakes throughout, the straightforward conclusion feels underwhelming. This predictability detracts from the overall impact, leaving viewers wishing for a more gripping finale.
Despite its flaws, iBoy is an engaging watch. The concept is fresh, the performances are strong, and the pacing keeps the audience hooked. For fans of cyber-related stories and those who appreciate solid acting, it's worth a watch. However, for those seeking a more scientifically grounded or twist-filled narrative, the film might fall short.
Rating: 6/10 While iBoy has its moments of brilliance, its inability to fully capitalize on its premise and its predictable climax prevent it from becoming a standout in the genre. Still, its engaging narrative and strong performances make it an enjoyable experience overall.
Did you know
- TriviaWill Poulter was previously cast as Tom. Poulter and Bill Milner (Tom) appeared together in Le fils de Rambow (2007).
- GoofsIn the final scene in the depot, you can clearly see that it rains only in that area.
- ConnectionsFeatures Plantes contre Zombies (2009)
- SoundtracksLooming
Written & Performed by Rival Consoles
Published by Erased Tapes Music
Courtesy of Erased Tapes Music
- How long is iBoy?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Anh Chàng Siêu Năng
- Filming locations
- Petticoat Square, London, England, UK(iBoy's Estate)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,500,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 1h 30m(90 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content