Boys State
Seen it?2020 | 110 min | Documentary
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no 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 the curious. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 50 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
This raucous journey into the heart of democracy captures an unusual rite of passage: 1,100 teenage boys from across Texas coming together to build a representative government from the ground up.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 2 Critics' Choice Awards: Critics' Choice Documentary Awards: Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary, Critics' Choice Documentary Awards: Best Political Documentary. Also nominated for 1 DGA Award. Plus 6 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; interest faded quickly after launch
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 20K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine
- Ben FeinsteinSelf
- Steven GarzaSelf
- Robert MacDougallSelf
- René OteroSelf
- Eddy Proietti ContiSelf