Director RaMell Ross has done the unthinkable with Nickel Boys: he turned what could have been a cinematic gimmick—filming entirely in first-person perspective—into a powerful and unforgettable work of art. Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this lyrical and deeply moving film delves into the horrors of a brutal reform school during the Jim Crow era, delivering one of the most striking cinematic experiences of the year.
The story is rooted in the lives of Elwood and Turner, two teenage boys who form a bond while enduring the torment of the fictional Nickel Academy. This setting is based on the real-life Dozier School for Boys in Florida, a site infamous for systemic abuses including beatings, rape, and unmarked graves—many of which have only recently come to light.
Ross and co-writer Joslyn Barnes capture the trauma and resilience of these boys without exploiting their suffering. One of the film’s most harrowing scenes—a beating—is depicted indirectly, focusing instead on a wall, a shoe, or a trembling hand while the sounds of the violence resonate in the background. As in The Zone of Interest, the absence of graphic visuals doesn’t diminish the impact; it amplifies it.
The narrative unfolds primarily through the perspective of Elwood (Ethan Herisse), a bright, idealistic young man raised by his grandmother Hattie (a standout performance by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor). Elwood’s future seems promising as he immerses himself in the civil rights movement and earns an opportunity to attend a technical college. However, his life takes a devastating turn when he hitches a ride in a stolen car, unaware of the crime. This innocent mistake lands him at Nickel Academy.
“You’re lucky to be in Nickel,” a young white employee (Fred Hechinger) tells Elwood, though his words are laced with ignorance or denial. While he initially appears kind, his true nature surfaces later. Other characters, like Hamish Linklater’s sadistic school administrator, embody the institution’s cruelty more overtly, doling out punishments with shocking zeal.
Despite the grim setting, Nickel Boys finds moments of light. Elwood’s friendship with Turner (Brandon Wilson), a pragmatic orphan who balances Elwood’s hopeful idealism, becomes the emotional heart of the story. Together, they find fleeting joy amid the chaos, and the camera captures their bond with tender intimacy.
Ross’s use of first-person perspective is particularly striking. The camera doesn’t merely record events; it observes the small, often overlooked details—a hand, tattered clothing, a puff of smoke. This technique immerses viewers in the characters’ experiences, making their pain and humanity palpable.
The film also interweaves flash-forwards, where a man (Daveed Diggs) is seen reading about the discovery of unmarked graves at Nickel. These moments provide a chilling connection between the past and present, highlighting the enduring scars of systemic injustice.
Adapting a novel as powerful as Nickel Boys could have tempted Ross toward a conventional approach. Instead, he has created a film that is both formally daring and emotionally resonant. Nickel Boys demands patience and engagement but rewards viewers with a story that is as haunting as it is essential.
Nickel Boys, an Amazon MGM and Orion release, is now showing in select theaters. Rated PG-13 for violent content, racial slurs, and thematic material, the film runs 140 minutes. It earns a rare four-star rating—a testament to its extraordinary achievement.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
