The Boy

Growing up is not easy. You have to learn and deal with many situations, but it is also what helps us become who we are. It also depends on how our parents are. If you have parents who are positive, and belive in raising children in a good way, you are guaranteed to have more structure in your life, while growing up. My childhood had good moments, and of course i had a hard time during the bully abuse years. But my family was always there, so i can not say they treated me wrong. I sometimes watch documentaries, about criminals, or criminal cases, and you can find out many things about why some people become so destructive. Some might have been abused their whole childhood, some were molested, while others were not raised at all and could do whatever they wanted. So there is no doubt that good parenting is very important. Children need a good structure, and to feel safe, with their closest in family. I have been reading a lot here in Sweden, about so many criminal cases, where children, and young people, have been victims of horrible crimes. Maybe you heard about the killing of Alexandra Mezher, who was killed by a young refugee man. Since i don´t know his background, i can only pressume that he is not mentally healthy for doing such a hateful crime. There are many cases we could talk about, but let us get back to the review. So what happens, when a child is disturbed from a very young age ? This is one of the subjects in the film The Boy ( not the horror film that came out recently ). I actually did not know anything about this film, and came across it through VOD. Just reading the cast, and some of the story, made me curious to see if this could be something interesting. Since i enjoy several films with actor David Morse, it is nice to see him still do independent films. When a film comes out, and you barely hear anything abou it, you wonder if it is a warning sign. Is The Boy an fascinating view on a disturbed young boy, or is this not worthy your precious time at all ?

Ted Henley ( Jared Breeze ) is a young boy, helping his father John Henley ( David Morse, to operate the family motel, called The MT. Vista Hotel. It is located at e very deserted location, so the rooms are never fully booked. Ted is very fascinated in dead animals, that he find on the highway. In fact, he bring them back to the motel. For some disturbing reason, he seems to enjoy the idea of death. A family checks into the motel, as Ted injure their car, just to make sure that they can stay there longer. Ted is changing, becoming more destructive, with his fascination for dead flesh. He is curious to take this to the next level, but is there any way to stop him, or is Ted doomed to become a future serial killer ?

It is such a shame that The Boy did not even get to be shown in cinemas in Sweden. Because this is a unique small film. Disturbing in some ways, but from a psycological perspective, i find this film interesting. We will never understand how a young boy can be interested in dead animals, or enjoy to preserve dead flesh, and maybe that is why you are curious to find out what makes a sick boy enjoy this. I have heard about men who collect road killed animals, and eat them, but not in the same way as in the film The Boy. In some ways, i was reminded of Jeffrey Dahmer, the serial killer. He did collect dead animals and was interested in dead flesh, but took this to a completely more insane level. The lead actor, Jared Breeze, who plays the disturbed young boy Ted Benley, is really good in his performance. When a young boy this age, can play someone who is about to become a serial killer, you know that he can act. To capture those facial expressions, and show no remorse, is not easy. David Morse, who plays the boy´s father, is also very good. One of the things i find interesting with this film, is how we get to see how such a young boy, can become so destructive. I will not go into details about this, i think you might understand my point of view as you watch the film. Director Craig William Macneill have previously worked on several short films, including the experimental film The Afterlight. He was the co-director to this film, but with The Boy he made his feature film debut as an director. I have to say he manage to give us a film that is very odd. He manage to balance both a psycological perspective,  but also a look into a disturbed personality. The film is very slow in some scenes, but once the tension grows, you do not want to finish the film. There is a feeling that anything can happen, when this boy´s obsession for death grows, and you can not know what he will do next. The Boy is not a film that might be seen by a large audience, simply because this is a more complicated independent film. But if you enjoy intelligent films, i suggest you see this one. A disturbing view on a young boy, who is about to destroy his own life. You will guaranteed feel emotional, seeing his behavior. One thing is for sure, i am staying the hell away from young boys who picks up road kills. Good thing there is usually a bar on the highway, i drive better with some whisky anyway.

Rating: DDD