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Boyhood
Movie

Boyhood

2014 • Drama

Woke Score
2
out of 10

Plot

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samantha, BOYHOOD charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay's Yellow to Arcade Fire's Deep Blue. BOYHOOD is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting.

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Overall Series Review

Boyhood is a cinematic time capsule that avoids modern ideological traps by focusing on the universal experience of aging. By filming over twelve years, the narrative remains tethered to reality, showing a boy’s journey to manhood within a messy but recognizable family structure. It avoids lecturing the audience, opting instead for a naturalistic portrayal of American life that respects traditional milestones and personal responsibility. The film focuses on the mundane and the profound moments of life without trying to reinvent social structures or push a political agenda.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The narrative focuses on character merit and the universal challenges of growing up. There is no vilification of whiteness or focus on systemic oppression; characters are defined by their actions and maturity.

Oikophobia2/10

The story embraces the Texas setting and American milestones. It treats the home culture with a sense of nostalgia and realism rather than hostility toward Western values.

Feminism3/10

Men and women are depicted with realistic flaws and strengths. The father eventually embraces a protective, stable role, while the mother is shown as a complex figure whose struggles are personal rather than a result of systemic patriarchy.

LGBTQ+1/10

The film centers on a normative heterosexual coming-of-age story. There is no inclusion of gender ideology, and the traditional milestones of dating and growing up are presented without deconstruction.

Anti-Theism2/10

Faith is shown as a stabilizing force for certain family members. The movie portrays religious traditions, such as receiving a Bible for a birthday, as a normal and non-threatening part of the social landscape.

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