New Movies: The New Boy (2023) by Warwick Thornton: A Spiritual Clash in the Outback
- dailyentertainment95
- May 29
- 10 min read
"The New Boy" is a magical realist drama directed by Warwick Thornton, set in 1940s Australia. It follows a 9-year-old Aboriginal orphan boy (Aswan Reid) with mysterious powers who arrives at a remote monastery run by a renegade nun, Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett). His presence disrupts the delicately balanced Christian world of the mission, leading to a spiritual struggle between Indigenous spirituality and Western religion, and questioning the cost of survival and assimilation.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18180926/
About movie: https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/f/the-new-boy/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-new-boy (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/the-new-boy (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-new-boy (UK)
Detailed Summary
"The New Boy," a 2023 drama with elements of fantasy and history, is the latest feature from acclaimed Indigenous Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton ("Sweet Country," "Samson & Delilah"), who also served as cinematographer. Set in 1940s Australia, the film introduces a nameless 9-year-old Aboriginal orphan boy (Aswan Reid) who arrives mysteriously in the dead of night at a remote, dilapidated monastery. The mission, seemingly abandoned by its priest, is run by the unorthodox and defiant Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett, who also co-produces), alongside her compassionate helper Sister Mum (Deborah Mailman) and the kindly Father George (Wayne Blair).
The boy, initially unruly and seemingly untamed, begins to exhibit extraordinary, seemingly miraculous powers. His Indigenous spiritual life, deeply connected to the land and his ancestral traditions, clashes with the rigid doctrines of the Christian faith taught at the mission. As the monastery takes possession of a large, carved crucifix of Christ, the boy becomes transfixed by the image, leading to a complex and often unsettling dialogue between his innate spirituality and the introduced religion.
The film, described as a "magical-realist fable," explores themes of spirituality, culture, colonization, and the painful legacy of assimilation policies (like "breeding out the black" which is referenced). It’s a story of survival and a "clash of thoughts and ideas" – the Western idea of religion versus the Indigenous idea of spirituality. While often visually stunning, with Thornton's signature cinematography and a score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, the film has drawn mixed critical responses regarding its narrative clarity and the development of its complex themes. "The New Boy" premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section and has since received numerous accolades, particularly for its cinematography and lead performances.
Plot Summary
Arrival at the Monastery: In 1940s Australia, a young, unnamed Aboriginal boy is captured by police and brought in the dead of night to a remote, struggling monastery.
Renegade Nun's Domain: The monastery is run by the unorthodox Sister Eileen, who is secretly concealing the death of the priest meant to be in charge. She is assisted by Sister Mum and Father George.
Mysterious Powers Emerge: The boy, initially wild and defiant, begins to display extraordinary, inexplicable powers, including healing abilities and the capacity to manifest light.
Clash of Spiritualities: His innate Indigenous spirituality, deeply connected to his land and traditions, comes into direct, often unspoken, conflict with the Christian teachings of the monastery.
The Crucifix's Influence: When a large crucifix arrives at the mission, the boy becomes fixated on it, seeing parallels between Jesus's suffering and his own experiences, leading to a complex blending or clashing of his own spiritual understanding with Christianity.
Struggle for Survival and Assimilation: The film explores the attempts to "civilize" and Christianize the Indigenous children, and the new boy's presence forces the nuns to confront their own beliefs and the true cost of their mission.
Director's Vision
Warwick Thornton, renowned for his visually poetic and politically charged films, approaches "The New Boy" with a distinct vision that blends realism with magical realism. His intention, as stated in interviews, is to create a "genre-defying film that explores spirituality, culture and colonisation in a way we haven't seen on screen before." Key aspects of his vision include:
Dialogue Between Spiritualities: Thornton aims to create a "clash of thoughts and ideas" between Western religion (Christianity) and Indigenous spirituality, connected to culture and land. He uses the boy's powers as a catalyst for this spiritual confrontation.
Subtle Allegory for Colonization: The film is intended to be a "startlingly simple allegory" for Australia's history of Indigenous assimilation, where spiritual differences reflect "bloody territorial conflict."
Visual Storytelling: As his own cinematographer, Thornton emphasizes "beautiful images and situations that cinematically, visually, are going to be empowering and informed." He uses light and composition, often reminiscent of Renaissance art and chiaroscuro, to evoke "clerical dread" and highlight thematic contrasts.
Ambiguity and Interpretation: Thornton deliberately limits the boy's dialogue and allows the narrative to remain somewhat open-ended, inviting the audience to interpret the complex themes rather than providing explicit answers. He avoids clear heroes or villains, instead focusing on the ripple effects of assimilation.
"Anxious Comedy" and "War Movie" Elements: While not a typical war film, Thornton describes it as a "war movie" due to the clash of cultures and ideas, and an "anxious comedy," suggesting a blend of unease with moments of dark humor.
Themes
Clash of Cultures and Spiritualities: The central theme explores the collision between Indigenous Australian spirituality, deeply rooted in the land and ancestral beliefs, and imported Western Christianity, highlighting the struggle for dominance and understanding.
Colonization and Assimilation: The film serves as an allegory for Australia's historical policies of forced assimilation and the "Stolen Generations," examining the devastating impact on Indigenous children and cultures.
Faith and Doubt: Characters, particularly Sister Eileen, grapple with their faith when confronted by phenomena that challenge their established beliefs, exploring the nature of miracles and spiritual truth.
Survival and Resilience: It's a story about the resilience of Indigenous identity and spirit in the face of attempts at cultural erasure.
Childhood Innocence and Power: The new boy embodies an innocent yet powerful connection to a spiritual world, challenging adult perceptions and forcing a re-evaluation of knowledge and belief.
Key Success Factors
Warwick Thornton's Vision: As a celebrated Indigenous filmmaker and cinematographer, Thornton brings a unique and vital perspective to the story, with a distinct visual style.
Cate Blanchett's Star Power: Her involvement as both lead actress and producer brings significant international attention and acting gravitas to the film.
Strong Ensemble Performances: Newcomer Aswan Reid's compelling screen presence and the nuanced performances from Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair contribute significantly.
Festival Acclaim: Premiering at Cannes and receiving multiple awards for cinematography and acting underscores its artistic quality and critical recognition.
Relevant and Timely Themes: The film tackles evergreen issues of colonialism, cultural identity, and faith, resonating with contemporary discussions.
Musical Score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis: Their atmospheric and haunting score adds another layer of artistic depth and emotional impact.
Awards and Nominations
"The New Boy" has received significant accolades, particularly for its cinematography and performances:
AACTA Awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts):
Best Lead Actor in Film (Aswan Reid)
Best Cinematography in Film (Warwick Thornton)
Best Supporting Actress in Film (Deborah Mailman)
Best Production Design in Film
American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Spotlight Award (Warwick Thornton)
Camerimage International Film Festival: Golden Frog for Best Cinematography (Warwick Thornton)
Online Film Critics Society: Best Non-U.S. Release
Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival 2023 (Un Certain Regard)
Critics Reception
"The New Boy" has received generally favorable reviews, though some critics found its narrative and thematic exploration uneven. Metacritic scored it 64 based on 21 critic reviews, indicating "Generally Favorable Reviews."
Positive Reviews:
IndieWire: Praised its "culturally specific filmmaking that somehow immediately gains universality" and Aswan Reid's "bright spark."
Time Out: Highlighted Aswan Reid's "kinetic strength" and screen presence.
RogerEbert.com / Guy Lodge: Called it a "thoughtful magical-realist fable" where "spiritual differences aren't treated with violence, but echo bloody territorial conflict just the same."
Filmhounds: Noted Thornton's "visual allegories" and "amiable critique of religious institutions," finding it "engrossing, albeit flawed."
Mixed to Negative Reviews:
Empire: Described it as "A gentle, odd little Australian fable," implying it might lack significant impact.
The Telegraph: Found it "fuzzy and unfulfilled, groping for its images without ever precisely knowing what it needs them to say."
IMDb user reviews (some critical): Some users found the narrative "convoluted and not clear" and themes "underdeveloped," leading to disappointment despite the potential.
Film Review Daily: Called it an "uneven work," criticizing "totally unrealistic abilities" that introduce magical realism where it "does not call for it," and finding it sometimes "confuses" rather than clarifies.
Overall Summary: Critics generally admire Thornton's distinctive visual style and the powerful performances, particularly Aswan Reid's. The film is lauded for its ambitious exploration of spirituality, colonization, and identity. However, some reviews suggest that the narrative's allegorical nature can at times lead to vagueness or underdeveloped thematic elements, impacting overall clarity and effectiveness for certain viewers.
Reviews
Cinematography: A consistent highlight, with reviewers praising Warwick Thornton's stunning visual composition and use of light, often noting its artistic and evocative qualities.
Performances: Aswan Reid's captivating debut performance as the titular "New Boy" is widely lauded, as is Cate Blanchett's committed portrayal of Sister Eileen, and Deborah Mailman's empathetic turn as Sister Mum.
Thematic Ambition: Critics acknowledge the film's ambitious attempt to tackle complex themes of Indigenous spirituality versus Christianity, and the legacy of assimilation.
Narrative Clarity: This is a point of contention; some critics find the film's allegorical and understated approach to be compelling and thought-provoking, while others find it to be unclear, underdeveloped, or "fuzzy."
Pacing and Atmosphere: The film's "woozy, episodic lyricism" and "darkly comical sense of melancholy" are noted, contributing to its unique atmosphere.
Box Office
"The New Boy" has had a limited theatrical release internationally.
Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $778,331 (as of August 12, 2024).
Australia: $650,578
Netherlands: $93,197
New Zealand: $10,040
Portugal: $4,548
United Kingdom: $19,968
Its primary release in the US and Canada is planned for May 2025.
Production Summary
"The New Boy" is a 96-minute (or 115 minutes, depending on the source) Australian drama, fantasy, and history film produced in 2023. It was written and directed by Warwick Thornton, who also served as its cinematographer. The film stars Aswan Reid as the New Boy, Cate Blanchett as Sister Eileen, Deborah Mailman as Sister Mum, and Wayne Blair as Father George. It was filmed in regional South Australia. Production companies include Dirty Films, Scarlett Pictures, South Australian Film Corporation, Screen Australia, Screen New South Wales, and Fremantle Australia. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis composed the original score. Cate Blanchett also served as a producer.
Production Companies
Dirty Films (Australia), Scarlett Pictures (Australia), South Australian Film Corporation (Australia), Screen Australia (Australia), Screen New South Wales (Australia), Fremantle Australia (Australia), First National Pictures (USA).
Sales Companies
Vertical (USA) acquired the North American rights. CAA Media Finance, Roadshow Films, The Veterans, and United Talent Agency are also listed as distributors/sales companies.
Distribution Companies
North America (USA & Canada): Vertical Entertainment
Australia: Roadshow Films
United Kingdom: Signature Entertainment
International: The Veterans, CAA Media Finance, United Talent Agency.
Release date on streaming
"The New Boy" is scheduled for release on VOD and digital platforms in the US and Canada on May 30, 2025.
Theatrical Release
"The New Boy" world premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. It had its Australian theatrical release on July 6, 2023. It subsequently had limited theatrical releases in other international territories throughout late 2023 and 2024 (e.g., New Zealand: July 19, 2023; Portugal: January 11, 2024; UK: March 15, 2024; Sweden: March 27, 2024). Its limited theatrical release in the US and Canada by Vertical Entertainment was on May 23, 2025.
Why to recommend this movie
Visually Stunning: Warwick Thornton's cinematography is consistently praised for its beauty and artistic quality, making it a feast for the eyes.
Powerful Performances: Newcomer Aswan Reid delivers a captivating debut, supported by excellent work from Cate Blanchett, Deborah Mailman, and Wayne Blair.
Thought-Provoking Themes: It delves into complex and important topics of Indigenous spirituality, colonialism, and faith, offering a unique Australian perspective.
Unique Blend of Genres: The film combines drama, fantasy, and historical elements to create a distinctive magical realist fable.
Award-Winning Cinematography: Its numerous awards for cinematography attest to its technical and artistic excellence.
Why to Watch Movie
If you appreciate art-house cinema and distinct directorial voices: Warwick Thornton's film offers a unique and contemplative viewing experience.
For fans of magical realism: The film incorporates mystical elements that challenge conventional understanding and add depth to the narrative.
To explore Indigenous Australian storytelling: It provides a vital and authentic perspective on Australia's history and spiritual landscape.
If you are intrigued by stories of spiritual clashes and cultural assimilation: The film offers a nuanced look at these complex themes.
For Cate Blanchett's compelling performance: She delivers a nuanced portrayal of a conflicted nun.
Movie Trend
"The New Boy" is following the trend of Indigenous Cinema Gaining International Prominence, particularly films that use distinct cultural perspectives and often blend realism with spiritual or magical elements to explore historical traumas and contemporary identities. It also aligns with Art-House Dramas with Mystical Elements, where stories use subtle fantasy to delve into deeper philosophical or psychological themes.
Social Trend
"The New Boy" aligns with the growing social trend of Reckoning with Colonial Legacies and Amplifying Indigenous Voices. Globally, there's an increasing demand and space for narratives that confront the historical injustices of colonization, particularly those told by Indigenous creators themselves. The film contributes to this by directly addressing assimilation policies and celebrating the resilience of Indigenous spirituality, contributing to a broader cultural conversation about truth-telling, reconciliation, and cultural preservation.
Final Verdict
"The New Boy" is a visually arresting and deeply contemplative film that solidifies Warwick Thornton's status as a formidable voice in cinema. While its allegorical nature might divide audiences seeking a straightforward narrative, its power lies in its stunning cinematography, the mesmerizing debut of Aswan Reid, and its courageous exploration of the clash between Indigenous spirituality and Western religion in a colonial context. It's a film that demands reflection, offering a unique and poignant perspective on faith, identity, and survival in 1940s Australia. Despite some narrative ambiguities, its artistic ambition and thematic weight make it a significant and memorable work.
Recommendations for film makers
Trust Your Unique Voice: Thornton's film demonstrates the power of a distinct artistic vision, even if it leads to narrative choices that challenge some viewers. Filmmakers should lean into their unique perspectives.
Embrace Visual Storytelling: As a cinematographer himself, Thornton shows how powerful images can convey complex themes and emotions, especially when dialogue is sparse.
Explore Spiritual and Cultural Conflicts: Films that delve into the nuanced clash of belief systems and cultural identities can be incredibly rich and relevant, particularly when handled with sensitivity and authenticity.
Cast Young Talent with Care: The success of Aswan Reid highlights the importance of finding compelling young actors who can carry significant emotional weight, even without extensive dialogue.
Seek International Festival Exposure: Premiering at a prestigious festival like Cannes can significantly boost a film's profile and secure international distribution, even for niche or independent productions.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Continue to Champion Indigenous Filmmakers: The industry should actively seek out, fund, and distribute films by Indigenous creators, providing platforms for their essential stories and unique perspectives.
Support Art-House and Thematic Ambition: Invest in films that prioritize artistic expression and thematic depth over conventional plot structures, as these contribute to the richness and diversity of cinema.
Recognize the Power of Cinematography: Highlight and reward exceptional cinematography, as it can elevate a film's artistic merit and draw critical attention, as seen with "The New Boy."
Promote Education and Cultural Understanding: Use films like "The New Boy" as tools for broader cultural education and dialogue about historical injustices and ongoing issues faced by Indigenous communities.
Balance Critical and Audience Expectations: Be prepared for varied reception for artistically ambitious films, understanding that critical appreciation may not always perfectly align with broad audience accessibility, but both are valuable.
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