Overview
- The film, which begins a limited New York run Friday, expands to Los Angeles and other cities on April 3 under distributor Picturehouse.
- It follows a wealthy New York teen who travels to Texas after an online encounter he believes could lead to a school shooting, using dark comedy to probe performative empathy and toxic masculinity.
- Jaeden Martell and Asa Butterfield earn standout praise, with critics calling Butterfield’s turn transformative and noting sharp supporting work from Jennifer Ehle, Chris Bauer, Anna Baryshnikov, Noah Centineo, and Becky Ann Baker.
- Reviewers highlight a nervy, fast-cut style that recalls Boyson’s work with the Safdie brothers, with frenetic camerawork and a pulsing score driving tension.
- Early reactions describe the film as provocative and conversation-starting, though some cite a dip in focus later on, following buzz from its Tribeca premiere last year.