The Boy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A nanny takes a job caring for a doll, only to find out the real horror is the grown man living in the walls who needs a mommy figure, making this less ‘Annabelle’ and more ‘Psycho’ with extra steps.

🍿 The Boy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Nanny’s New Job

Greta Evans, an American woman escaping an abusive relationship, accepts a nanny position in a remote English village. Upon arrival at the Heelshire estate, she discovers that her charge, Brahms, is not a child but a life-sized porcelain doll. The elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Heelshire, treat the doll as if it were their son, providing Greta with a strict set of rules to follow in his care.

Breaking the Rules

After the Heelshires leave for a long-awaited vacation, Greta initially dismisses the rules, treating Brahms like an inanimate object. However, strange occurrences begin in the house: objects move, noises echo, and the doll appears in different locations. Greta starts to believe that something supernatural is at play, prompting her to reconsider the Heelshires’ instructions.

Secrets and Discoveries

Greta confides in Malcolm, a local grocery deliveryman, who reveals the tragic history of the real Brahms. He died in a fire as a child and, before his death, was considered odd by the villagers. Greta and Malcolm grow closer, investigating the strange events in the house while Greta becomes increasingly convinced that Brahms, the doll, is possessed by a spirit.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Greta Evans (Lauren Cohan): An American nanny who takes a job in England to escape her past, only to find herself caring for a life-sized doll and uncovering dark secrets.
• Brahms Heelshire (James Russell): The adult Brahms is a disturbed man living within the walls of his family’s mansion, manipulating events through a porcelain doll.
• Malcolm (Rupert Evans): A local grocer who delivers supplies to the Heelshire estate and becomes a love interest and ally to Greta.
• Mr. Heelshire (Jim Norton): The father of the real Brahms, who, along with his wife, perpetuates the illusion of their son’s existence through a doll.
• Mrs. Heelshire (Diana Hardcastle): The mother of the real Brahms, who, along with her husband, sets the stage for Greta to care for the doll and their son.
• Cole (Ben Robson): Greta’s abusive ex-boyfriend who tracks her down in England, bringing danger and conflict into the Heelshire manor.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mrs. Heelshire: “Brahms has chosen you.” – Said to Greta after the Heelshires seemingly consult the doll about whether it approves of her as a nanny.
• Greta: “You wouldn’t hurt me, would you, Brahms?” – Greta asks this question to the Brahms doll when she starts to suspect something is not right in the Heelshire mansion.
• Malcolm: “Things aren’t always what they appear to be.” – Malcolm tries to warn Greta about the strange happenings at Heelshire Manor and the odd nature of the family.
• Brahms: “Kiss.” – The real Brahms, unmasked, demands a kiss from Greta, revealing his disturbing desires.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $35,819,556
• Worldwide Gross: $73,929,392

💥 The Boy Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘The Boy’ expecting a creepy doll movie and, for a while, that’s what I got. Lauren Cohan does a great job of portraying the nanny slowly losing her mind, or so you think! The twist halfway through was unexpected but changed it into something I didn’t anticipate and loved. I actually jumped a few times, which is rare for me. The movie had some plot holes and some issues but was a fun watch overall!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers who enjoy creepy doll movies”
  • “Those looking for a PG-13 horror experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Abusive relationship”
  • “Brief language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘The Boy’ delivers some genuinely creepy moments and a solid performance from Lauren Cohan, the plot twist veers into absurdity, ultimately undermining the suspense built up in the first half. Worth a watch for horror fans seeking a few chills, but don’t expect a masterpiece.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “‘The Boy’ benefits from a chilling atmosphere and a strong lead in Lauren Cohan, but the script struggles to maintain tension throughout. The third act reveal feels tacked-on and diminishes the subtle horror elements of the preceding scenes.
• IGN: “A decent enough scary movie with solid atmosphere but a bad reveal that doesn’t pay off, Cohan’s performance carries the first half but the overall impact is weakened by plot choices.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected twist ending subverted typical horror tropes, catching viewers off guard.: Most viewers enjoyed the film’s originality and departure from standard haunted doll narratives.

Lauren Cohan’s performance was praised for adding depth and believability to the character.: Many viewers appreciated Cohan’s acting, which helped elevate the movie beyond its sometimes-predictable plot.

Overall Consensus: Audience opinions are divided; while some found it creepy and original, others criticized its plot twist as nonsensical.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jane Levy was originally cast as Greta, but was later replaced by Lauren Cohan.”
• “The film was shot at Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, chosen for its imposing Gothic architecture and isolated feel.”
• “Originally titled ‘In a Dark Place’, the film’s name was changed to ‘The Boy’ to be more marketable.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Boy?

As of today, you can stream “The Boy” on platforms like Peacock, or rent/purchase it on demand from Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Boy, you might like these similar films:

• Orphan (2009): Features a similar twist with a seemingly innocent child figure revealed to be something much more sinister.
• Annabelle (2014): Focuses on a haunted doll and the terrifying events that surround it, appealing to fans of creepy doll horror.
• The Others (2001): Employs a gothic setting and explores themes of isolation and hidden truths within a family and an old house.
• Bad Ronald (1974): A disturbed young man secretly lives within the walls of a house, much like Brahms, preying on the inhabitants. This movie directly influenced The Boy.

🛒 The Boy Related Products

• The Boy: Brahms Mask Replica: A high-quality replica of Brahms’s iconic porcelain mask, perfect for collectors and cosplay.
• Porcelain Doll: Collectible porcelain doll for a more immersive experience of the movie.
• The Boy: Script: Read about this movie from a different perspective with the official script. Relive the scariest and most dramatic parts of the movie through written form.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Boy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Die Zauberflöte K. 260 Act II: Der Hölle Rache” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why THE BOY I & II Are Still the Most Ridiculous “Evil Doll” Movies

Curious about why the ‘The Boy’ movies are considered so ridiculous? Join Ryan Hollinger as he takes a hilarious deep dive into their outrageous plot twists, leaving you entertained and questioning your own sanity.

The Boy – Movie Review

Join Chris Stuckmann, a renowned film critic, as he shares his thoughts on ‘The Boy’. Whether you’re a fan or curious about the movie, this review offers an engaging and informative analysis of the film’s merits.

✨ Rate