In the new film “Boy Erased,” based off of the inspiring novel and true story of the author, Garrard Conley, the main character is referred to as Jared Eamons. The movie stars prevalent actors such as Nicole Kidman, Lucas Hedges, Russell Crowe and Troye Sivan. The film tells the story of a preacher’s young son who is sent to gay conversion therapy after coming out to his parents. In a present day small-town in the US, Jared starts to question the practices being held in the camp.

Jared’s father is well known in their small town, considering he is a preacher. But Jared’s parents idea of homosexuality is that it is a sin. He comes out to them after a dreadful incident at his college and unfortunately his parents try to cure him by sending him to a conversion therapy camp. At this camp, Jared meets many teenagers going through the same experience.

During one of the procedures, Jared is told to sit in front of an empty chair and pretend it is his father looking at him. Considering that the camp leader, Victor, is homophobic, he claims that Jared hates his father because he is homosexual. After Victor repeatedly tells Jared to scream at his father and tell him how much he hates him, Jared refuses and ends up storming out of the church. He runs to call his mother and she finally understands the monsters that she sent her child to.

In my opinion, the acting in this film is definitely Oscar winning. Lucas Hedges and Nicole Kidman put on a heartfelt role of mother and son. Hedges presents a compelling role of a gay male just trying to change for his family. The disturbing and extremely rough situations that Jared encounters throughout his young life helps shape him for when he becomes older and Hedges does an astonishing job at presenting it. The soundtrack includes very powerful songs, one in particular called “Revelation” written by Troye Sivan and Jónsi. This song plays when Jared and Xavier have their first interaction together and Jared learns that he isn’t sinning. “Revelation” is also nominated for Satellite Awards “Best Original Song.” “Boy Erased” is a relevant film for today’s world.

“Boy Erased” is still playing in theaters.