For some of us, we've reached that point in summer when our social batteries are feeling pretty low. Yes, the weather of late has been great, but the frequent after-work beer garden hangs, brunches in the sun, and impromptu park picnics are taking a toll, especially for those who like (read: require) sofa and streaming time to recharge from all that yapping.
If you're looking for an excuse to cancel your upcoming weekend plans and enjoy some well-deserved solo time, then this is it. Amazon Prime Video just dropped an absolute must-watch starring none other than Stephen Graham. The Good Boy (or, as it is known in the US, Heel) is a twisty psychological thriller that's quickly worked its way to Number 5 on the streaming giant. And, for good reason!
Here's everything you need to know about The Good Boy, including what it's about and who else is in it...
What is The Good Boy about?
According to the film's official synopsis, The Good Boy is a "razor-sharp psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the final frame."
"The film follows Tommy, a volatile 19-year-old who revels in drugs, parties, and violence," the synopsis continues. "After getting separated from his friends on a drunken bender, he is abducted by a shadowy figure. He wakes to find himself imprisoned in the basement of a remote Yorkshire house, inhabited by a very strange family. But what unfolds is not what he – or the audience – could possibly expect."
The synopsis describes The Good Boy as "part nightmare, part black comedy, and part family drama," and hails it as A Clockwork Orange for the 21st century. Say! Less!
Who is in The Good Boy?
The Good Boy stars (literal!) national treasure Stephen Graham and Anson Boon in its lead roles. Here's everyone else you may or may not recognise on the cast...
- Stephen Graham (Adolescence, This Is England, Snatch, Peaky Blinders) as Chris
- Andrea Riseborough (Oblivion, Alice & Jack, The Regime) as Kathryn
- Anson Boon (Pistol, MobLand, 1917, The Alienist) as Tommy
- Kit Rakusen (The Famous Five, Belfast) as Jonathan
- Monika Frajczyk (Prime Time) as Rina
- Savannah Steyn (House of the Dragon) as Gabby
- Callum Booth-Ford (Butterfly) as Ste
- Noah Valentine (The Bay) as Jack
What have critics said about The Good Boy?
The Good Boy, from Academy Award-nominated director Jan Komasa, has already earned itself a pretty decent rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 87% to be precise.
Digital Spy gave the film an "excellent" five-star review, writing: "It all makes for a compelling genre blend of dark thriller, absurdist comedy and thought-provoking drama that you won't be able to look away from." Meanwhile, The Evening Standard said: "It's a sick premise that only gets sicker, but sometimes sickness is the cure. The Good Boy is tonally unique."
As for what viewers think? "An intense psychological thriller that completely pulled me in. Stephen Graham is phenomenal, delivering a performance that's both terrifying and emotionally layered," one watcher on Rotten Tomatoes said. They went on: "The film is tense, disturbing, and constantly keeps you questioning everyone's motives. It's uncomfortable in all the right ways, with a gripping story that sticks with you long after it ends."
"This film keeps you guessing from start to finish! The Good Boy is a thoroughly disturbing yet highly enjoyable piece of cinema," someone else added. "It's rare to see black comedy executed this well, but it completely hits the mark – keeping you laughing even through its darkest, most unsettling moments."
How to stream The Good Boy for free in the UK
Stream The Good Boy for free in the UK with an Amazon Prime Video membership. Don't have one? You can start with a 30-day free trial, which auto-renews at £8.99 a month after that. There are also options to rent or purchase The Good Boy on the streaming platform, with prices starting at £1.99.
