Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  The Butcher Boy bridges the gap between rebellious child and psychopath as if it were a normality. That is quite a feat for any director and/or actor, so Jordan and Owens both did really well. I'm a big fan of Jordan's anyway, his visual flare and seamless balance of… More
  The Butcher Boy bridges the gap between rebellious child and psychopath as if it were a normality. That is quite a feat for any director and/or actor, so Jordan and Owens both did really well. I'm a big fan of Jordan's anyway, his visual flare and seamless balance of ordinary and extraordinary is always a pleasure. This is a much darker film than I anticipated but to pack in so much story and so many contrasting visuals (Old Irish town and countryside/50's style Sci-fi/Post apocalyptic earth etc) takes real talent. He's a very overlooked director in my mind, everyone knows and loves most of his films but just don't realise they were all directed by the same guy. Anyway, highly recommended.

• Michael S

  
  Sharp and snappy dialogue, surprising emotional weight, and the perfect and crucial casting of Eamoon Owens (who completely owns the screen) create an unforgettable character study; dark, funny, and full of life. Unique to it's core, and one of Jordan 's best films.

• Luke B

  
  Jordan's whimsical but dark presentation of a boy gradually becoming psychotic is perfectly disturbing. It captures both the fun and naiveness of childhood, but also details the simple slip from mischievous trouble making into something far less wholesome. Owens gives an amazing… More
  Jordan's whimsical but dark presentation of a boy gradually becoming psychotic is perfectly disturbing. It captures both the fun and naiveness of childhood, but also details the simple slip from mischievous trouble making into something far less wholesome. Owens gives an amazing performance, he plays it as a child the entire time. One of the most disturbing things is that he doesn't act disturbed. It's a child playing games, feeling betrayed and ultimately doing the only sensible (in his mind) thing to counteract the events in his life. A wonderful mix of a movie, that should have reached it's conclusion sooner.

• El Hombre I

  
  Neil Jordan's 1997 film The Butcher Boy has striking similarities to Truffaut's The 400 Blows as well as Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, though with much more satire if that's possible. Even if it's nowhere close to being as brilliant as those mentioned,… More
  Neil Jordan's 1997 film The Butcher Boy has striking similarities to Truffaut's The 400 Blows as well as Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, though with much more satire if that's possible. Even if it's nowhere close to being as brilliant as those mentioned, Jordan's film is very good. Possibly the most cheerful film ever made about abusive childhoods, alienation, sexual abuse, madness and murder and should be noted for the simple fact of being the first film in the renaissance of Irish cinema during the 1990s not to be centered around sectarian violence. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view¤t=butcherboy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/butcherboy2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• John B

  
  A really disturbing film from Neil Jordan. I think the difficult subject matter made this into an unmarketable film but when the mood is right...give it a look.

• Joey N

  
  I don't like writing about films I watch for class.

• William G

  
  Only barely more compelling than obnoxious.

• Quinto W

  
  Eamonn Owens give such a powerful and committed performance, I would sometimes wonder if he was playing a character or just being himself. He truly makes this dark, twisted film stand-out.

• Daisy M

  
  The butcher boy was the story of a boy who turned into madness. The voice-over in present of this man who told his story of his youth in an Irish village in the early 60s. His father was a drunk, his mother was mentally ill, so it was nothing strange why the boy was behaving like that… More
  The butcher boy was the story of a boy who turned into madness. The voice-over in present of this man who told his story of his youth in an Irish village in the early 60s. His father was a drunk, his mother was mentally ill, so it was nothing strange why the boy was behaving like that and the thing was, he did not know he was going crazy. He believed this was his normal life, even all his actions made him look like schizophrenic or a psychopath. Neil Jordan directed this movie with beautiful imagination. The movie portrayed dark, sad and even terrifying scenes in sometimes funny ways. Eamonn Owens fantastic performance made this movie a definitely must see.

• Linda K

  
  THE BUTCHER BOY is not a children's film. It tackles many issues of the modern and traditional vision of Ireland. It is certainly not an easy film to understand, because of the historical content and the heavy Irish accent. But overall, the film is very interesting and… More
  THE BUTCHER BOY is not a children's film. It tackles many issues of the modern and traditional vision of Ireland. It is certainly not an easy film to understand, because of the historical content and the heavy Irish accent. But overall, the film is very interesting and disturbing at times. if you dont get into the story, well at least you will enjoy the astonishing performance by the little boy who plays the lead role. He could be hilarious and disturbing. As a young boy, his imagination and hallucination are all he has despite his miserable life. Certainly a film not to miss!

Read all 10 featured audience ratings