“Honey Boy”

By: Macy Harder

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so emotionally attached to a fictional character, let alone a 12-year-old boy, until now. Actor Shia LaBeouf doubles as a screenwriter in this semi-autobiographical film, in which we gain more insight into his past of childhood fame, addiction, and mental health issues and into his relationship with his abusive father. His 12-year-old self, depicted as “Otis,” is played by Noah Jupe, who conveys an emotional maturity well beyond his years. Lucas Hedges also gives a strong performance as the young adult version of Otis, in treatment for substance abuse. And finally, LaBeouf takes on the part of his own father with an extremely powerful and cathartic execution of the role.

“Honey Boy” is raw, intense, vulnerable, and unlike anything I’ve seen before. It almost feels as though we’re intruding into the depths of LaBeouf’s psyche as we watch his trauma unfold on screen. Jupe’s performance of a young boy who feels alone in the world is brilliant and captivating, tugging at every single one of our heart strings. But at the same time, the film has very few aspects of self-pity. Rather, it’s apparent that LaBeouf’s honesty in his writing and performance is therapeutic for the actor, maybe providing some sort of personal closure. 

Above all, this film served as an emotional release I didn’t know I needed. I connected with Otis as if his pain was my own. “I’m gonna make a movie about you,” he says to his father. As if for the first time, I exhaled; this full-circle moment left me in tears on my living room couch. LaBeouf’s depictions of pain, longing, and other complex emotions in this film are riveting, and “Honey Boy” is something I won’t forget for a long time.