December 13, 2024
Extreme caution for older teenagers and adults.
Released
December 13, 2024
Director
RaMell Ross
Cast
Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Hamish Linklater
Directed by RaMell Ross, rated PG-13, released December 13, 2024. Two Black boys at a brutal reform school in Jim Crow Florida form a bond that becomes a lifeline — adapted from Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer-winning novel.
Starring Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Hamish Linklater.
Friendship and moral imagination survive even systems designed to erase them. The film insists on the dignity of boys the world tried to discard.
Critics have been especially enthusiastic—91% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer—with audiences largely in agreement at 85% on the Popcornmeter. IMDb users rate it about 7.7/10.
Pair the scores with the MovieGuide content breakdown and the source reviews linked on this page to decide if it fits your night in.
Friendship and moral imagination survive even systems designed to erase them. The film insists on the dignity of boys the world tried to discard.
Summaries based on each site's scores and typical coverage — open the source for full reviews.
Family content & quality
Entertainment quality ★★★★ (4/4). Family content -2 — extreme caution for older teens and adults. Advisories often include stronger violence, language, or adult themes; extreme caution is flagged for older teens and adults rather than young children.
Critics & audience
Critics are overwhelmingly positive at 91% on the Tomatometer, clustering around praise for craft, emotion, and rewatch value. Audiences largely leave satisfied (85% Popcornmeter). Open the full page for critic and audience quotes.
User scores & reviews
Users place it around 7.7/10, reflecting strong broad-audience regard. Reviews there usually dig into performances, emotional payoff, pacing, and genre expectations—a useful counterweight to professional critics. Open the score above to read the full conversation.
Watch the official trailer for Nickel Boys
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