Nickel Boys Movie Review: A Haunting and Powerful Adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Novel

Image credits: Supplied: Prime Video

The film Nickel Boys, directed by RaMell Ross, is a formally audacious and emotionally bracing adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The movie tells the story of a violent reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida from the perspective of its protagonists, using a unique first-person point of view filming style. This style challenges the notion of empathy and forces the viewer into a subjective point of view inseparable from that of the characters.

The film follows the story of Elwood Curtis, a 16-year-old boy who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and is sent to the Nickel Academy, a segregated reform school. There, he befriends Turner, a fellow student who becomes his guide and companion. The movie explores the harsh reality of segregation and corporal punishment at the school, and the ways in which the characters find guidance and companionship in each other. The use of archival news footage and vintage home movies adds to the film's emotional impact and highlights the historical context of the story.

The film's unique filming style, which uses first-person point of view shots, creates a sense of immediacy and disorientation. The viewer is forced to experience the world through the eyes of the characters, which can be both powerful and unsettling. The film's use of nonlinear narrative and unconventional storytelling techniques adds to its emotional impact and makes it a thought-provoking and haunting film. The cast, including Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson, deliver powerful performances that bring the characters to life and make their stories feel deeply personal and relatable.

Nickel Boys has received widespread critical acclaim, including nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2025 Oscars. The film has also been praised for its unique filming style and its powerful exploration of themes such as racism, segregation, and the power of human connection. The film's director, RaMell Ross, has been recognized for his innovative approach to storytelling and his ability to bring complex and thought-provoking stories to the screen. Some of the notable nominations and awards include:

• Best Picture nomination at the 2025 Oscars
• Best Adapted Screenplay nomination at the 2025 Oscars
• 90 percent critic rating and 76 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes

Overall, Nickel Boys is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores the harsh realities of segregation and corporal punishment in a violent reform school. The film's unique filming style and powerful performances make it a must-see for anyone interested in cinema and social justice. With its innovative approach to storytelling and its ability to bring complex and thought-provoking stories to the screen, Nickel Boys is a film that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.