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Summary Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's Boyhood is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samanth...
Directed By: Richard Linklater
Written By: Richard Linklater
Boyhood
7.6
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Summary Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's Boyhood is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samanth...
Directed By: Richard Linklater
Written By: Richard Linklater
Where to Watch
Coming Soon
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 50 Critic Reviews
100
100% Positive
50 Reviews
50 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 50 Critic Reviews
100
100% Positive
50 Reviews
50 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Feb 7, 2015
There’s not a great theme, a great performance or even a great scene in Boyhood. But I think it might be a great picture.
Jul 25, 2014
The revelation is Arquette. While the focus is on Coltrane and how he grew up onscreen, it's Arquette that's at the center of this incredible journey. She puts herself out there year after year, getting knocked down and getting up stronger. Her final scenes have the power and heartbreak every parent knows -- it's all about holding a child's hand, then letting it go.
By Jeff Baker FULL REVIEW
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 2,714 User Ratings
7.6
76% Positive
2075 Ratings
2075 Ratings
11% Mixed
310 Ratings
310 Ratings
12% Negative
329 Ratings
329 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 2,714 User Ratings
7.6
76% Positive
2075 Ratings
2075 Ratings
11% Mixed
310 Ratings
310 Ratings
12% Negative
329 Ratings
329 Ratings
Aug 17, 2025
Man I love this film. Everything here felt so realistic and relatable. The direction is impressive! Definitely had a shot at winning best picture in the oscars.
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Sep 1, 2024
Boyhood is more than a movie. It's a perfect encapsulation of the universal experience of growing up with all its awkwardness and absurdity. Ethan Hawke are absolutely outstanding in supporting roles and Richard Linklater directs masterfully creating one of the purest examinations of the teenage experience committed to celluloid. A masterpiece.
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Jul 17, 2014
In completing this simple, beautiful project Linklater took his time. And he rewards ours.
Jul 10, 2014
On rare occasions a movie seems to channel the flow of real life. Boyhood is one of those occasions. In its ambition, which is matched by its execution, Richard Linklater's endearing epic is not only rare but unique.
Jul 8, 2014
Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is an amazing achievement in telling an unremarkably remarkable life story.
Mar 28, 2014
Like the best of fiction, it conveys greater truth about coming to terms with the world at large, and regardless of whether each individual scene is ultimately justified in its inclusion, the cumulative impact of seeing something resembling a life unfold over a mere two hours and forty minutes is overwhelming.
Jun 15, 2014
Richard Linklater's film is an experiment in time, and one that's attentive to the audience's sense of empathy.
Aug 27, 2021
The idea behind this film was a fantastic one. It sought to do what no previous film had ever attempted, that being filming the actors over several years as they grew rather than trying to cast others who looked similar at various ages. That in and of itself is a remarkable feat. However, like many films that try to accurately emulate what real life is like, this story didn't have much of a plot. It is understandably difficult to have an overarching theme when trying portray the life and struggles of an adolescent boy. That is perhaps why this particular film seemed to wander significantly. There were a couple of really good scenes and a few powerful lessons that one could take away from this motion picture, but simply good scenes, unfortunately, do not make a good movie.
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Jul 18, 2016
This movie was a huge waste of time. Nothing happens for the entire duration and there is absolutely nothing impressive about the film. I get it, it's supposed to reflect real life, but I'd rather experience my own boring life for three hours instead of watching someone else's boring life. Acting was great and on point but I still could not figure out what the point was, as the point of the movie is that there is no point.
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Production Company
- IFC Productions
- Detour Filmproduction
Release Date Jul 11, 2014
Duration 2 h 45 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline 12 years in the making
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 6 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Wins & 5 Nominations
Online Film & Television Association
• 4 Wins & 10 Nominations
