featuring @stephengraham1973 @andreariseborough @ansonboon @lunapalacecinemas
Jan Komasa’s Good Boy arrives like a sharp, unexpected collar—unsettling at first, but ultimately gripping. This Polish-British co-production, starring a powerhouse cast led by Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough, transforms a dark premise into a provocative exploration of family, accountability, and what it truly means to belong.
The story follows 19-year-old Tommy (Anson Boon), a rebellious, drug-fueled club kid who spends his nights bullying, humiliating others on social media, and dodging any real consequences. His chaotic life takes a drastic turn when he’s kidnapped by the dysfunctional couple Chris (Graham) and Kathryn (Riseborough), who chain him in their basement as part of an extreme “rehabilitation” program. Their goal? To mold him into a “good boy” and fill a painful void in their own family. What begins as a psychological thriller with horror undertones evolves into something far more nuanced: a black comedy-drama about transformation, empathy, and the blurred lines between captivity and care.
Komasa’s direction (his first English-language feature) is confident and stylish, blending tension and dark humor. The film doesn’t shy away from the moral ambiguity—Tommy is no innocent, and his captors are deeply flawed—but it trusts the audience to grapple with the discomfort. Viewers are drawn into Tommy’s slow acclimation to “family life,” where literature, routine, and tough love start chipping away at his defenses. It’s reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange in its examination of control and behavior, yet refreshingly original.
The performances elevate the material to another level. Stephen Graham commands the screen as Chris, delivering a layered portrayal of a man whose iron-fisted methods stem from genuine (if misguided) love and loss. Andrea Riseborough brings a sense of vagueness and mystery to Kathryn, while young Kit Rakusen adds an innocent charm as their son. At the center, Anson Boon shines as Tommy—starting as a punchable anti-hero and gradually revealing vulnerability and growth that makes his journey genuinely moving. The chemistry among the “family” is electric, turning what could have been a one-note captivity tale into a rich character study.
What makes Good Boy truly special is its core message: sometimes the family we need isn’t the one we’re born into, and real change often requires facing hard truths rather than endless excuses. It celebrates accountability and human connection in the most unconventional way possible.
If you’re open to films that challenge norms while delivering superb acting Good Boy is one of the most original and satisfying thrillers in recent years. It starts as potential horror and blossoms into something beautiful, twisted, and profoundly human. Highly recommended—sit, stay, and let it win you over.
Starts July 2 at Luna Leederville and Luna on SX.
- Email: neill@outloudculture.com
- Socials: @frazer.live
- @neill.outloud
