Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for The Butcher Boy

The Butcher Boy

Seen it?

1998 | 110 min | Comedy, Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (77% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Saltburn, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Darkly funny.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 50 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: expect violence.

Francie and Joe live the usual playful, fantasy filled childhoods of normal boys. However, with a violent, alcoholic father and a manic depressive, suicidal mother the pressure on Francie to grow up are immense. When Francie's world turns to madness, he tries to counter it with further insanity, with dire consequences.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    77% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Silver Bear for Best Director. Plus 3 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $5 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 40K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Neil Jordan

  • Eamonn OwensFrancie Brady
  • Alan BoyleJoe Purcell
  • Fiona ShawMrs. Nugent
  • Stephen ReaDa Brady
  • Ian HartUncle Arlo
  • Peter GowenLeddy
  • Sean McGinleySergeant
  • Aisling O'SullivanMa Brady
  • John KavanaghDr. Boyd
  • Andrew FullertonPhillip Nugent