This review was originally published on May 26, 2023, as a part of our Cannes Film Festival coverage.
Christianity offers the teachings of Jesus in the form of his commandments as a way to live like him, but there are arguments made that a Bible isn’t necessary to be a decent human being. In his latest feature, which premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, writer-director Warwick Thornton examines these competing topics with sincerity and wonder. With his story and direction comes magical encounters that intermingle culture and new religion from a child’s perspective. The New Boy is an ethereal experience with transcendent performances from Cate Blanchett and Aswan Reid that will leave lasting impressions.
The story follows an unnamed Aboriginal boy (Reid) on his journey from being captured by police to literally being dumped at the front doors of a remote Australian monastery. The church is led by Sister Eileen (Blanchett), a renegade nun with a thirst for wine, with the support of the ever-gracious Sister Mum (Deborah Mailman) and the last surviving male adult in the church, George (Wayne Blair). This may seem like a small detail that can be overlooked, but it’s the very same detail that beseeches Eileen to go to great lengths — even lying — to make good on her promise to nurture the young boys under her care.
The New Boy Is A Magnificent Character Study
At the monastery, orphaned boys are raised and eventually baptized as Christians until they are 13 years old. At that point, they are sent off to join society and work at sheep stations, a process Sister Eileen knows is for the good of God’s glory. In order to continue her work, she must dupe the government by signing the deceased senior priest’s signature in order to continue receiving goods for the benefit of the monastery. It’s this burning examination of morality versus righteousness and humanity versus law that makes Eileen’s character study a magnificent one and Thornton’s feature a faith-testing experience.
The most appealing part of The New Boy lies in Thornton’s use of magical realism to exemplify the power of our connectivity to religion and virtue. While it is clear that the writer-director is drawing from his own experiences with religion, it’s even more certain that he does not intend to sway us either way. Instead, Thornton makes a beautiful point to suggest that religion and human morality are sometimes one and the same. Whether you’re a young child stepping in upon the mistreatment of a peer or a seasoned nun who tells “good lies” to help those in need, the definition of these two concepts — using religion as a moral compᴀss vs. relying on natural human decency — often overlap.
Thornton has created something profound and special.
These elements and Thornton’s spiritually are elevated, and the morally simple concepts examined throughout are poetry in motion. These lessons, along with the strikingly picturesque visuals, offer an experience that is worth the watch even if we may not understand the ride on which at first. To make a film based on religion with such childlike wonder, one that is free of judgment, is beautiful. Thornton has created something profound and special.
Of course, The New Boy works so well because of the talented cast that elevates this script. Cate Blanchett, whose last role as Lydia Tár saw her possess little to no morals, ventures off to the opposite side of the spectrum as Sister Eileen. Blanchett is exceptional, as usual, but her emotional performance, dominated by impressive facial expressions (due to her being bound by her gorgeous nun costume) is wonderful work. Newcomer Aswan Reid utters only about two words in the entire film but captivates completely and convincingly. His performance is angelic, transcending even the magic that is literally shown throughout the film.
Warwick Thornton’s feature tests faith and humanity in a way that will leave a lasting impression. It’s the kind of film that requires no stance from us, yet is fully capable of opening hearts and minds from a place of empathy and understanding. There are some backstories missing here, sure, but the true beauty of its script lies in the connectivity of humans no matter their backgrounds, personality differences, cultures, or religious affiliations. To be able to witness such a magical script on the big screen would yield a watching experience that could entrance anyone.
The New Boy premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and is now playing in theaters.
