The Good Boy
The brief
Jan Komasa turns what could be a typical kidnapping thriller into something far more unsettling, with Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough as a deranged couple whose idea of "rehabilitation" feels like psychological torture wrapped in suburban normalcy. The tension builds slowly and deliberately, creating this suffocating atmosphere where you're never sure if Tommy's captors are genuinely delusional or just pure sadistic. Anson Boon holds his own against two powerhouse actors, playing Tommy with the right mix of street-smart defiance and growing desperation. Perfect for fans of Room or Don't Breathe who want their thrillers with a heavy dose of domestic horror.
The verdict
If you crave psychological thrillers that prioritize suffocating atmosphere and stellar performances over action, this slow-burn domestic nightmare will get under your skin in the best way. If you need fast-paced plotting or can't handle deeply uncomfortable situations involving captivity and manipulation, the deliberate pacing and disturbing premise will feel like endurance rather than entertainment.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for maximum psychological impact
- ⚠️ Skip with anyone uncomfortable with captivity themes
Heads up
- Kidnapping and forced captivity (frequent)
- Psychological torture and manipulation (moderate)
- Intense claustrophobic situations (frequent)
Credits
- Director
- Jan Komasa
- Cast
- Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, Anson Boon, Kit Rakusen, Austin Haynes, Callum Booth-Ford, Monika Frajczyk
Official synopsis
19-year-old criminal Tommy is kidnapped and forced into a rehabilitation process by dysfunctional couple Chris
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with You Were Never Really Here (2017)
Both explore psychological trauma through violent men seeking redemption.
Total runtime: 1h 50m + 1h 29m = 3h 19m
