The Holy Boy
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Holy Boy
"The Holy Boy (2025)" is an Italian psychological and folk horror drama that delves into profound themes of grief, communal repression, and the sinister consequences of seeking false solace. Set in the deceptively serene village of Remis, where inhabitants project an unnervingly happy facade, the narrative follows Sergio, a teacher haunted by his own past. He unearths a disturbing secret: the villagers engage in weekly rituals, believing that a teenage boy named Matteo possesses the ability to absorb their pain through his embrace. As Sergio endeavors to liberate Matteo from this oppressive role, he confronts the dark truths concealed beneath the community's forced cheerfulness, revealing a chilling story that emphasizes psychological tension and pervasive dread rather than conventional jump scares. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2025 and focuses on the fragility of identity and the desperate human need for belonging within a community that actively suppresses suffering.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The film explicitly features LGBTQ+ themes, including a queer romance element involving the teenage protagonist, Matteo. Director Paolo Strippoli has described Matteo's journey as that of a 'queer teenager,' and reviews confirm his 'burgeoning attraction' to another male character, Lorenzo. This representation is central to Matteo's coming-of-age narrative within the repressive community.
Director Paolo Strippoli explicitly stated that Matteo's journey unfolds as a 'queer teenager, both sacrificial body and redemptive figure.' A ScreenAnarchy review notes that Matteo's performance is particularly strong in parts of the story that are 'coming-of-age and queer romance tales,' highlighting a 'queer romance element that goes through a similar repression.' Eye for Film mentions Matteo's 'burgeoning attraction for class bully Lorenzo (Diego Nardini).'
Witchcraft & Occult
The film features strong themes of occult practices and a 'disturbing ritual' at its core. The community believes a teenage boy, Matteo, has supernatural powers to absorb pain, referring to him as 'their angel,' but his powers are depicted as potentially 'not benevolent.' This involves elements of folk horror, religious cults, and implied possession, making occult themes central to the plot.
Scary & Intense Content
As a psychological and folk horror film, 'The Holy Boy' aims to create a highly intense and unsettling atmosphere. It focuses on 'lingering dread' and 'psychological tension' rather than jump scares. The narrative involves a 'dark secret,' 'sinister nature,' and 'disturbing ritual,' alongside a teacher tormented by his past, creating a consistently frightening and emotionally taxing experience.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
16+ (Mature Teens and Adults) due to its genre as psychological and folk horror, exploring complex themes of grief, religious fanaticism, disturbing communal rituals, and a queer romance element. The film is designed to evoke lingering dread and psychological tension, making it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Good to Know
The film is an Italian production, originally titled 'La valle dei sorrisi' (The Valley of Smiles), and is described as arthouse/psychological horror. It explores complex themes of identity, grief, and the suppression of pain. While no official MPAA rating is available, its content suggests it is intended for mature audiences. Shudder has acquired rights for a 2026 release.
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