Is Boy Erased Based on a True Story? The plot, Ending Explained
by Hemalatha R | Updated Apr 27, 2023
Is Boy Erased Based on a True Story?
Boy Erased is a 2018 biographical drama film directed, written, and produced by Joel Edgerton, along with Kerry Kohansky Roberts and Steve Golin. It stars Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Edgerton himself, and is based on Garrard Conley's memoir of the same name. The film tells the story of a young man, Jared, who is the son of Baptist parents and is sent to a conversion therapy program.
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2018, and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in theaters in the United States on November 2, 2018, by Focus Features, and earned over $11 million worldwide. Critics generally praised the performances of the cast and the film received positive reviews.
It also received various award nominations, including two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor and Best Original Song for Revelation. It won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release at the 30th GLAAD Media Awards.
Boy Erased Plot
Boy Erased tells the story of Jared, who is the son of a successful car dealer and Baptist preacher, Marshall Eamons, and Nancy Eamons, a hairdresser. Jared enters a gay conversion therapy program called Love in Action, where the chief therapist, Victor Sykes, tells the group that their sexuality is a choice influenced by poor parenting. During the program, Jared discovers that some of the students are playing the game so they can leave, while others truly hope to change.
Jared soon realizes that the therapy has no set endpoint and that he will be at the institution for some time. The attendees are required not to tell anyone else about what occurs during the sessions. When Jared confesses that he is attracted to men, Sykes pushes him to give more explicit details. Jared refuses, and Sykes attempts to make him use his anger and says he hates his father. Jared refuses to do this, as it is Sykes that he is angry with.
Jared eventually storms out of the room, retrieves his phone, and calls his mother, begging her to pick him up. Sykes, his assistants, and the other attendees corner him behind a locked door despite Nancy's presence. Cameron, one of the attendees, stands up for Jared and helps get him to Nancy, who takes him home.
The film highlights the dangers of conversion therapy and the harm it can cause to those who undergo it. It also depicts the courage and resilience of those who have been through it and come out the other side.
Boy Erased Ending Explained
The movie Boy Erased portrays the story of Jared, a young man who is sent to a conversion therapy program by his parents when they discover he is gay. The film ends with Jared's triumphant return to his family after he has come to terms with his sexuality and found love with his boyfriend.
In the final scene of the movie, Jared has become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has written an article exposing the harmful practices of conversion therapy. He returns home to his parents to confront them about their decision to send him to the program.
Jared's father, Marshall, initially tries to defend his actions, but Jared explains that he cannot change who he is, and it is Marshall who needs to change his views. Jared invites his parents to visit him and his boyfriend for Christmas, indicating that he has reconciled with his family and has found acceptance.
The ending of the movie is a message of hope for those struggling with their identity and those who have been harmed by conversion therapy. Jared's story highlights the importance of acceptance and support for individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Throughout the film, Jared struggles with his own self-acceptance and battles against the harmful practices of conversion therapy. His journey is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to conquer hate.
Overall, Boy Erased is a powerful and emotional film that sheds light on the damaging effects of conversion therapy and the importance of acceptance and love for all individuals. The ending of the movie is a testament to the strength and courage of those who have been through similar experiences and a call to action for society to do better in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Boy Erased Reviews
Joel Edgerton’s Boy Erased is a film about the struggles of a young gay man, Jared, who has to navigate his way through a Christian ex-gay conversion therapy camp, which he was forced to attend. The movie is based on Garrard Conley’s memoir, and the main character, Jared, played by Lucas Hedges, is a college-aged boy who is struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his upbringing in a conservative Baptist town.
The movie portrays the emotional turmoil that Jared goes through as he grapples with the idea that he is sinful and has to beat his homosexual urges to be loved by God. Jared’s parents are instrumental in sending him to the Love in Action facility, run by the villainous therapist Victor Sykes (Joel Edgerton), which is a program designed to cure homosexuality.
The movie captures the emotional rollercoaster that Jared goes through as he is forced to give up his identity and pretend to be someone he is not. He is emotionally manipulated by the program and has to build his family tree to look for the sources of his sin.
The film also depicts the devastating consequences of the conversion therapy program, including heartbreaking suicides, which occur due to the emotional trauma caused by the program. The emotional impact of the movie is heightened by quieter scenes between Jared and his parents, where their inner turmoil is evident. Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe deliver powerful performances as Jared’s parents, who eventually question their bigoted values and transform due to their love for their son.
Boy Erased is a poignant movie about the struggles of a young gay man who has to navigate a world that refuses to accept him for who he is. The film is an emotional journey that highlights the devastating effects of conversion therapy and the toll it takes on young lives. Despite its heavy subject matter, the movie ends on a hopeful note, as Jared finds his voice and learns to accept himself for who he is.
Boy Erased Cast
The below table consists of detailed information about Boy Erased cast.
Lucas Hedges
Jared Eamons
Nicole Kidman
Nancy Eamons
Joel Edgerton
Victor Sykes
Joe Alwyn
Henry Wallace
Xavier Dolan
Jon
Troye Sivan
Gary
Cherry Jones
Dr. Muldoon
Name
Character
Boy Erased Trailer
Is Boy Erased Based on a True Story - FAQs
Boy Erased is a 2018 biographical drama film based on Garrard Conley's memoir of the same name. It follows the story of a young man who is forced to take part in a conversion therapy program by his Baptist parents.
The film was directed by Joel Edgerton, who also wrote the screenplay and starred in the movie.
The film stars Lucas Hedges in the lead role, with Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe playing his parents. Joel Edgerton also appears in the movie.
The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of the cast. It was also nominated for various awards, including two Golden Globe Awards.
Conversion therapy is a type of pseudoscientific treatment that aims to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It has been widely discredited by medical professionals and is banned in many countries and states. Boy Erased explores the harmful effects of conversion therapy on its subjects.