Focus Features has released the first images from potential Oscar contenderBoy Erased, an upcoming drama from director/writer/starJoel Edgerton. The film is based onGarrard Conley’s memoir of the same name which chronicles his experience as a gay teenager who is sent to a conversion therapy program when he’s outed to his religious parents.Manchester by the SeaandLady BirdbreakoutLucas Hedgesfills the lead role, but the film also boasts a terrific ensemble cast that includesRussell CroweandNicole Kidmanas the boy’s parents and filmmaker/actorXavier Dolan.
This is Edgerton’s second feature film as a director after his excellent 2015 horror thrillerThe Gift, in which he starred oppositeJason Bateman. Here he’s tackling straight drama territory while also filling the role of a pastor, and Focus Features no doubt has its eyes on the big awards prize with the film’s September release date. Look for a debut trailer to arrive sometime very soon.
For now, check out theBoy Erasedimages below. The film also starsCherry Jones,Michael “Flea” Balzary,Troye Sivan,Joe Alwyn,Emily Hinkler,Jesse LaTourette,David Joseph Craig,Théodore Pellerin,Madelyn Cline, andBritton Sear.Boy Erasedopens in theaters on September 28th.
Here’s the official synopsis forBoy Erased:
“Boy Erased” tells the story of Jared (Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Kidman and Crowe) at age 19. Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith.Boy Erasedis the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.
