Watch Boy Erased

Boy Erased is a 2018 film directed by Joel Edgerton and starring Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Joel Edgerton himself. The film is a powerful and emotional exploration of the harmful effects of conversion therapy on LGBT youth and their families. It is based on the memoir by Garrard Conley of the same name. The story follows Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges), a young man growing up in a conservative Christian family in Arkansas. Jared begins to question his sexuality and eventually comes out as gay to his parents, played by Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Jared's father, a Baptist preacher, sends him to a conversion therapy program in an attempt to "cure" him of his homosexuality. The program is run by Victor Sykes (Joel Edgerton), a stern and authoritarian figure who believes that homosexuality is a sin that can be cured through prayer and counseling.

As Jared undergoes the program, he is subjected to various abusive and harmful treatments, including group therapy sessions where other participants are encouraged to shame and humiliate him. Meanwhile, Jared's mother struggles to come to terms with her son's sexuality and the damage that the conversion therapy is doing to him. She eventually seeks out other parents whose children have gone through the program and finds out that many of them have been traumatized and even driven to suicide.

The film is a poignant and powerful meditation on the damaging effects of conversion therapy and the harm that it can cause to LGBT youth and their families. It explores themes of acceptance, love, and identity, and asks important questions about the role of religion in the lives of young people. The performances by the three leads are outstanding, with Lucas Hedges delivering a subtle and nuanced portrayal of a young man coming to terms with his sexuality in a hostile environment. Nicole Kidman, too, shines as a mother struggling to reconcile her love for her son with her religious beliefs. Joel Edgerton, for his part, is excellent as the menacing and authoritarian Victor Sykes, who is convinced that he can "cure" Jared of his homosexuality.

The film is beautifully shot, with a sense of intimacy and authenticity that draws the audience into the lives of the characters. The music, too, is haunting and beautiful, adding an extra layer of emotional depth to the story. The film is not without its flaws, however. Some viewers may find it to be a bit heavy-handed in its messaging, and the pacing can be a bit slow at times. Additionally, the film has been criticized by some for its relatively timid portrayal of the conversion therapy program, which some viewers felt did not accurately convey the severity and brutality of such programs.

Overall, however, Boy Erased is a powerful and important film that sheds light on an issue that is often overlooked or ignored. It is a moving testament to the strength and resilience of LGBT youth and their families in the face of adversity, and serves as a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that all young people are accepted and loved for who they are. So, the movie is highly recommended for those who are looking for emotionally-centered movies with a strong message.

Boy Erased is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 69.