Beautiful Boy
2018 · Directed by Felix van Groeningen
Original language: English
- drama
The story
After he and his first wife separate, journalist David Sheff struggles to help their teenage son, who goes from experimenting with drugs to becoming devastatingly addicted to methamphetamine.
What it’s like
Fractured, non-linear editing and restless handheld camera give this a jittery, emotionally raw surface, with warm California interiors and sun-bleached suburban streets that turn cold and fluorescent once addiction takes hold. Sparse piano and quiet ambient textures sit under long stretches of silence, and the score swells only at moments of hope or collapse. Its vibe is anxious, tender and heavy, the kind of film that suits a late evening alone rather than a light night in. Pacing moves in repeated cycles of relapse and fragile recovery, so it can feel exhausting by design. The core arc is a father and son who keep trying to reach each other through damage and distance. Intensity is high but mostly non-graphic: drug use, overdoses, withdrawal, and emotional cruelty are shown plainly, with brief, uncomfortable scenes of physical deterioration and little explicit gore. Sexual content is minimal. It is made for viewers who want an unflinching, emotionally grounded portrait of addiction and family, not escapism or gentleness.
More films like Beautiful Boy
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Beautiful Boyand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
