Nickel Boys

6.7

2024 1080p 2h 20m 0

In the heart of Florida, two Black teenage boys find refuge in their friendship against the brutality of a system that claims to reform them but instead subjects them to a ruthless regime. Their story is a testament to resilience, loyalty, and survival in an environment where hope seems like an unattainable luxury.

From the moment they arrive at the reform school, the two friends realize that punishment is the norm and justice, a rarity. What should be a place of redemption quickly becomes a setting of physical and psychological abuse. Despite their youth, they understand that the only way to endure adversity is by staying together. Their friendship becomes their shield, a force that helps them bear the weight of a system designed to break them.

Throughout their time at the institution, they face countless trials. Arbitrary punishments, institutionalized violence, and the indifference of the authorities are just some of the obstacles they must overcome. Yet, amid the despair, they find moments of resistance: a whispered conversation in the darkness of night, a gesture of solidarity when all seems lost, a fleeting smile that reminds them they are still human.

Their bond goes beyond mere camaraderie. It is a connection forged in suffering but also in the determination not to be defeated. Together, they dream of a future beyond the walls of the reform school—a future where they can be more than just numbers in a system that has failed them from the start.

The story of these two teenagers not only exposes the harsh realities of the juvenile justice system in the United States but also highlights the transformative power of friendship. In a place designed to dehumanize them, they cling to each other, reminding themselves that no matter what happens, they are still worthy.

Director: James Roque Jr., Jonathan M. Warren, Nick DiRosa, RaMell Ross, Roya Ritchson, Thalia Skaleris, Zachery Scherer