The New Boy

Cate Blanchett delivers yet another compelling performance, confronting a young Aboriginal boy with resonating talent, in this captivating, mysterious film that mesmerizes its audience. Set in a secluded monastery on the edge of Australia in the 1940s, this eerie period piece sets off when a young orphan boy arrives at the gate seeking care and shelter. However, he refuses to speak and comply with the rules set by the nuns, the culture, and the religion they want to impose. Gradually, he will form a bond with Sister Aileen, who will begin to suspect that there is something truly special about this new, peculiar boy. Faith and otherworldliness serve as the backdrop upon which Warwick Thornton crafts a meticulously woven tale of mystery and tenderness about identity, love, and the scars of colonialism. A film that allows room for emotions, humor, and hope, consistently surprising the audience.