Honey Boy: Dreamy and Painful

Honey Boy is a semi-autobiographical story written by Shia LaBeouf in court-ordered rehab. It tells the story of his childhood as an actor and a relationship with his abusive father while switching between the 90s and 2000s. Honey Boy offers an inside look at someone who has been a mystery to the public for years but is constantly in the news for his antics. Honey Boy is not just a story about a father-son relationship or the effects of showbiz on child stars and their parents. It is a character study.


LaBeouf plays James, a neglectful, self-absorbed, bullying parent who is a version of LaBeouf's own father. Otis is a vulnerable 12-year-old child actor, his wide eyes employ an angelic look. The film focuses on LaBeouf but the real star is director Alma Har'el. This is her narrative feature debut and she manages to amaze audiences with her imagery and striking visuals on the screen that evoke emotions in audiences.


Otis is a TV actor that lives in a sketchy motel with his father. Noah Jupe shines in this role as Otis and one of the most memorable scenes that showcase his incredible acting is when he plays the part of both his mother and father having a phone call because neither will talk to each other. He captures the essence of his father and mother at the same time, two completely opposite human beings.


Older Otis played by Lucas Hedges is the cockier version of the child. He shows proficiency and hard work when the cameras are on him and then spirals down a path of alcohol and anger when it stops. A psychologist at the rehab facility urges him to revisit the details of his childhood and it allows audiences to get a better understand and idea of who this man is and what he has become. Otis is being raised in a depressing environment with his father and lack of a mother. He is stuck.


Otis never wallows in his situation of an abusive household but becomes the caretaker in his environment. He works hard and knows things will work out in the end. LaBeouf is hateful toward Jupe and paints the upbringing of Otis as a horror show. LaBeouf and Jupe take on their roles and become the characters you see on screen. LaBeouf describes the film as an exorcism and it is the right word for this film.


Honey Boy is a therapy session while also abusive. Audiences are watching a painful transformation of a young boy into a jerk who is experiencing PTSD. The story relies on empathy and reflection and explores tones of toxic masculinity through the eyes of Har'el and LaBeouf. The performances are so powerful and raw and lay the foundation of the film on emotions that are spontaneous and explosive. It is hard to watch the psychological abuse between James and Otis. Honey Boy is harsh but Alma uses dreamy visuals to make the film mesmerizing and hard to look away. It adds a softness to the rough content. The use of sunsets and golden-lit skies emphasize that in this painful story there is love and light hidden.