This Boy's Life

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This Boy's Life

R

1993

1h 55m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the 1950s, Toby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his mom, Caroline (Ellen Barkin), move to the state of Washington. There they meet mild-mannered Dwight (Robert De Niro), who falls in love with Caroline. They're married, and, after some initial happiness in the household, it becomes apparent that Dwight believes violence is the best way to discipline his troubled stepson. Unfortunately, Caroline is unwilling to give up on her marriage. As Dwight's abuse intensifies, Toby plans an escape.

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Critics Consensus

A harrowing, moving drama about a young boy, his single mother, and his abusive stepfather, This Boy's Life benefits from its terrific cast, and features a breakout performance from a young Leonardo DiCaprio.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Jan 29, 2019

The beauty of This Boy's Life is in the details: this meticulously observed story gets the look of the late '50s down pat and, more important, captures the dissonance between the era's ideals of nuclear-family life and painfully deracinated reality.

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Feb 8, 2010

Something more subtle is going on in Wolff's book, a confrontation with a richer, quirkier past and his emerging self that the movie too often brushes aside.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Feb 8, 2010

The leads work overtime to make their characters and their relationships pungent, believable, and moving.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

May 5, 2013

4.5/5

The film demands ominous electricity between Dwight and Toby, the latter of whom endures various and sundry humiliation and harm at the former's hands. And there are times when DiCaprio doesn't just go toe-to-toe with De Niro but feels just as tall.

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Film4 Staff

Film4

Feb 8, 2010

De Niro and Birkin are reliable in this atmospheric drama, but it's DiCaprio who really shines.

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Farah R

@Farah Sep 15, 2026

Leonardo DiCaprio was born to be an actor. Even this early in his career, he has such a natural presence on screen that I sometimes forget I’m watching someone act. There’s an effortless authenticity to his portrayal that makes him convincing, emotionally capable, and remarkably mature for his age. What impressed me most is how easily he holds his own against Robert De Niro, and in many scenes, he actually outshines him.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 11, 2026

This Boy's Life = a *4* star Movie!

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Cristopher S

@cris_sanchez Aug 20, 2026

Una gran película con personajes que consiguieron involucrarme muchísimo. Robert De Niro está espectacular interpretando a Dwight: comienza siendo aparentemente carismático, pero desde temprano notas que algo no está bien y progresivamente aparecen su egocentrismo, narcisismo y necesidad de control. Leonardo DiCaprio ya demuestra un talento enorme siendo muy joven, especialmente en la manera corporal en que transmite la rabia, frustración e impotencia de Toby. Una historia dura, pero muy bien interpretada.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 May 24, 2026

A mediocre drama of interest because a young DiCaprio stars alongside De Niro. Underwhelming and forgettable overall though. Watched on Amazon Prime.

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Wesley W

@RT74662367 Mar 22, 2026

This movie is a clastic, a typical stepfather that has no emotions for his stepson and is jealous of the relationship that he has with his mother. Instead of being a supportive Stepfather and new husband he chooses to be abusive and loses his new family in the end, very sad.

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Frans B

@FransB Feb 3, 2026

Brilliant! Michael Caton-Jones did good with this one. Very good writing, great story. Good cinematography and visually impressive. Young Di Caprio (19 yo here) shows early promise as very capable actor. Classic legends like Robert De Niro and Ellen Barkin also very convincing in character, well, whole cast succeeds in their various roles. Lots of drama, intrigue, emotion, coming of age issues, suspense and very real world feel to it. Captivating and memorable

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Michael Caton-Jones

Director

Robert De Niro

Dwight Hansen

Ellen Barkin

Caroline Wolff Hansen

Leonardo DiCaprio

Tobias "Toby" Wolff

Jonah Blechman

Arthur Gayle

Eliza Dushku

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TRAILER

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Synopsis

In the 1950s, Toby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his mom, Caroline (Ellen Barkin), move to the state of Washington. There they meet mild-mannered Dwight (Robert De Niro), who falls in love with Caroline. They're married, and, after some initial happiness in the household, it becomes apparent that Dwight believes violence is the best way to discipline his troubled stepson. Unfortunately, Caroline is unwilling to give up on her marriage. As Dwight's abuse intensifies, Toby plans an escape.

Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Producer: Art Linson
Screenwriter: Robert Getchell
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.7M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround

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