Good Boys

What's it about?

Good Boys is a coming-of-age comedy film following the escapades of three pre-teen boys attempting to attend a party hosted by the ‘popular kids’. In a series of misadventures, the characters navigate common challenges young people face: young love, drug use, bullying, parents’ divorce, and the meaning of friendship.

The facts

• Directed by Gene Stupnitsky
• Adventure, comedy
• 89 minutes
• English language

Why did it get this rating?

Sex

The film features young boys who make sexual references, at times without realising what they’re talking about, including when they find sex toys and have no idea what they are.

The film uses some sexual humour that adults will appreciate but which will likely go over the heads of many younger viewers. This content is balanced by the film’s positive messages around consent, friendship and responsibility.

Drug use

While there is drug use seen on screen the boys are passionately anti-drugs, and the drug-taking characters are definitely the “villains” of the film.

The boys try their best to convince them not to take the drugs, take the drugs and run away from them, try to hand the bottle to police, and even give the container back with non-drug substitutes in.

Offensive language

The boys swear throughout the film, and we know that some people might find this offensive so we’ve put a note on the film to let people know that there’s a lot of it. It can be rather confronting to hear. Teenagers are likely to be well aware of the style and use of this kind of language, and it limits the potential for harm.

Further Information

The film was classified R13 by Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office. The decision was appealed to the Film and Literature Board of Review, which also classified the film R13.

When we classify a film we are required to take into account a variety of factors, including its dominant effect, its merit and the intended audience. While the content might make some people uncomfortable we thought the film had some social merit.

This film was unusual in that we rated the trailer R16 but gave the actual film a lower rating. That was because the trailer pulled the more challenging scenes together in a way that lacked context, while the overall tone of the film was much softer.

When we examined the film we consulted with members of our Youth Advisory Panel. Their opinions informed our decision on this film.

We are concerned about young people’s exposure to potentially harmful material. We provide practical support to whānau to help manage this risk. Click here for advice on talking with young people about what they’re watching.