Honey Boy

Name: Honey Boy
Genre: Drama
Released: November 8, 2019
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Byron Bowers, Clifton Collins Jr., Craig Stark, Dorian Brown, FKA Twigs

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 63 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 63 Ratings

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Honey Boy (Redband Trailer)

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Movie Details & Credits

Amazon Studios | Release Date: November 8, 2019 | Not Rated

Starring: Byron Bowers, Clifton Collins Jr., Craig Stark, Dorian Brown, FKA Twigs, Laura San Giacomo, Lucas Hedges, Maika Monroe, Mario Ponce, Martin Starr, Natasha Lyonne, Noah Jupe, Paulina Bugembe, Shia LaBeouf

Movie Facts:

Shia LaBeouf based his screenplay on his own experiences, and plays a version of his own father.

Summary: A child actor works reconcile with his hard-drinking, law-breaking father.

Director: Alma Har'el

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 94 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Dec 7, 2019

Honey Boy just tells us one story, with judgement and compassion, with an honesty that surprises and moves us. And it leaves it to us to decide if it was all worth it, if indeed the end justifies the means. You will never look at a child’s performance in a film or TV show the same way after this. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Nov 7, 2019

Before and after everything else, Honey Boy — James’s nickname for his son — is a movie worth seeing for its distinctive qualities, but it must also have been worth doing for its therapeutic effect. Filming well is the best revenge. Read full review

The Playlist Gregory Ellwood

Feb 1, 2019

Honey Boy may center on the impressive portrayals of three talented actors, but it’s the woman behind the camera that makes it soar. You simply can’t wait to see what she does next. Read full review

Matthew Passantino

Feb 1, 2019

The beautiful surprise of Honey Boy is it never feels like LaBeouf revels in the chance to put the spotlight on himself. He wrote the film while in rehab and every moment of the movie feels like an artist in search of a desperately craved and needed catharsis. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Nov 12, 2019

Well, surprise: Honey Boy, Shia LaBeouf’s startlingly forthright, cathartic and beautifully acted movie based on his confusing and chaotic life as a child actor, winds up demonstrating what can go right, when the right elements are in place. Read full review

Jon Frosch

Feb 1, 2019

Honey Boy is not a self-justifying cri de coeur or a prankish exercise in narcissism, but a sensitive, sincere portrait of a child actor's dysfunctional upbringing and its devastating fallout. Read full review

Rex Reed

Nov 9, 2019

Honey Boy is a dolorous example of an alarming trend in modern movies — the miraculous ability of an infinitesimal talent to raise money for an obnoxious, self-indulgent film about his own life designed to appeal to absolutely nobody except the arrogant subject himself. In this instance, the jerky centerpiece in love with himself to the detriment of everyone in the audience is Shia LaBeouf. Read full review

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User Reviews

Compi24

Dec 17, 2019

The keystone, nay, the crown jewel in modern society's long-standing obsession with the borderline mythic construct of what we all consider Shia LaBeouf to be. Devoted performance artist to the very end, psychologically unwell egomaniac, or an honest to God broken human being looking toThe keystone, nay, the crown jewel in modern society's long-standing obsession with the borderline mythic construct of what we all consider Shia LaBeouf to be. Devoted performance artist to the very end, psychologically unwell egomaniac, or an honest to God broken human being looking to figure himself out just like the rest of us -- whatever your opinion of the man is, "Honey Boy" will work as something of a companion piece to it. More importantly, though, it's a deeply upsetting and impactful portrayal of a bankrupt relationship between a father and his son, and the litany of morally perverse push/pull mechanisms layered therein, featuring a revelatory, career-best performance from the true-to-life subject at the center of everything -- LaBeouf himself. Taking on the role of the complex and layered quasi-tormentor that inflicted so much intentional and unintentional damage upon him throughout his own childhood, some may call this the ultimate act of self-indulgence on the part of LaBeouf. I simply see it as someone desperately trying to sort through their past, so as to construct some semblance of a better future. Add in some stark camerawork and imagery from narrative filmmaking newcomer Alma Har'el and you have one of the year's most metaphysically gratifying, emotionally gripping character studies. To be quite honest, I'd even venture to call it a masterpiece.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Georgestrunk

Mar 30, 2020

Inspiring story must have been difficult to relive on screen .

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Brent_Marchant

Nov 24, 2019

A surprisingly good offering about a successful child star and his troubled father who uses tough love (sometimes a little too tough) to see his son succeed and avoid the mistakes he made in his life, a story based on the life experience of writer-actor Shia LaBeouf and his own dad. ToldA surprisingly good offering about a successful child star and his troubled father who uses tough love (sometimes a little too tough) to see his son succeed and avoid the mistakes he made in his life, a story based on the life experience of writer-actor Shia LaBeouf and his own dad. Told through flashbacks, viewers see how a now-adult movie star dogged by substance abuse goes through rehab to deal with his past and seek resolution, a tale peppered with unusual and unexpected ups and downs, as well as a revelation that situations like this aren't necessarily black and white. Excellent performances abound, especially LaBeouf's portrayal of the father figure and by Lucas Hedges and Noah Jupe as the elder and younger actor. Inventive cinematography and creative musical montages help to set this one apart from other similar releases, evoking heartfelt but not manipulative emotional responses. Think of this as a grittier, gender-switch, working class version of "Post Cards from the Edge," and you've got the idea what's behind this one.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JLuis_001

Jan 29, 2020

Shia LaBeouf again demonstrates that if he wants to do things right, they will also work out well. I know it's not always the case but he's obviously trying.

I really thought that he was lost when he released the the lousy Man Down and Borg vs. McEnroe was good but nothing noteworthy butShia LaBeouf again demonstrates that if he wants to do things right, they will also work out well. I know it's not always the case but he's obviously trying.

I really thought that he was lost when he released the the lousy Man Down and Borg vs. McEnroe was good but nothing noteworthy but here beyond the solid script he wrote he also delivers a performance worthy of nominations and that sadly I see went completely unnoticed but it's understandable considering how small this indie movie was.

Even so, the greatest recognition must be his good work and the surprise for those who discover it and Honey Boy is a dark proposal of redemption that must be discovered.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

tropicAces

Nov 13, 2019

It’s raw and honest, if not a bit familiar; probably holds more weight for those who know LaBeouf’s career and backstory, but still incredibly acted.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

JumpCut_Online

Dec 4, 2019

Honey Boy is guided by LaBeouf’s cathartic script and humanized by Jupe’s magnificent, touching performance and the way he brings nuance and heart to this role of a 12-year-old asking for the unspoken affection of his father. LaBeouf’s vision of his pain and healing is indispensable, quietlyHoney Boy is guided by LaBeouf’s cathartic script and humanized by Jupe’s magnificent, touching performance and the way he brings nuance and heart to this role of a 12-year-old asking for the unspoken affection of his father. LaBeouf’s vision of his pain and healing is indispensable, quietly crafted through the moments when both Otis and his father are at odds. It’s this heartbreaking dynamic which renders it raw. Again, delicate to revisit, but its mere existence feels like a necessary gift to film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Awais007

Dec 8, 2019

I don't like this movie that's it. Story is normal. You can watch this movie if watched all previous movies.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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