The Drawer Boy
The Drawer Boy

The Drawer Boy

2017Movie98 minEnglish

Ontario - 1972. Miles, a young theatre actor from Toronto, arrives in Huron County at the home of Angus and Morgan, two aging bachelor farmers. Miles stays with the two farmers in order to gather stories about rural life and make a play abut it. All three of their lives are irrevocably altered when art attempts to imitate life and the line between truth and fiction is crossed.

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Insights

IMDb5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes50%
Metacritic54/100
Google Users58%
Director: Rick AlversonGenres: Drama, Horror

Plot Summary

In a secluded, dilapidated farm, a young actor preparing for a role as a country boy finds himself drawn into a disturbing and surreal relationship with the reclusive old farmer who owns the property. As the lines between performance and reality blur, the actor's grip on his own identity begins to unravel amidst an atmosphere of oppressive isolation and unspoken secrets. The film explores themes of performance, exploitation, and the psychological toll of deep-seated isolation.

Critical Reception

The Drawer Boy received a polarizing reception from critics. While some praised its atmospheric tension and unsettling exploration of identity and isolation, others found its deliberate pacing and opaque narrative to be alienating and self-indulgent. Audiences were similarly divided, with many appreciating its unique, disturbing tone, while others were left confused or unimpressed by its lack of conventional storytelling.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and commitment to a disturbing tone.
  • Criticized for a slow pace and an often inscrutable narrative.
  • The performances, particularly from the lead, are noted as a strong point.

Google audience: Google users seem to be divided, with some appreciating the film's unique and eerie atmosphere, while others found it to be too slow, confusing, and ultimately unsatisfying. The film's experimental nature appears to be the primary point of contention.

Fun Fact

Director Rick Alverson has stated that he was inspired by the concept of 'performance' and how it can become intertwined with one's sense of self, particularly in isolated environments.

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