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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Boy Erased (2018). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Childhood footage of a sweet and innocent boy, portrayed by Lucas Hedges, introduces us to Jared as a teenager sitting in church, listening to his father, Marshall Eamons, deliver a sermon about the imperfections of humanity. His mother, Nancy Eamons, sits nearby, cheerfully absorbing the lesson while Jared glances at a young lady across the aisle.

The narrative swiftly transitions to a point in Jared’s life when he is being driven by his mother to a facility. As he playfully sticks his arm out the window to simulate surfing, Nancy quickly warns him against it, sharing a cautionary tale about a child losing an arm in a similar scenario. Reluctantly, he rolls up the window upon her urging.

Upon arriving at the clinic, Jared must sign in and surrender all his possessions until 5 PM when his mother returns. A staff member named Michael, slightly abrasive, orders Jared to delete all contacts from his phone deemed inappropriate by the clinic’s standards. Each incoming client, including Jared, soon discovers they are part of a controversial gay conversion program aptly named Love in Action, run by Victor Sykes.

During their orientation, the group read aloud stringent rules that suppress their natural interactions. Victor gives a thought-provoking sermon, using a crumpled dollar bill as a metaphor to illustrate how their perceived “sins” of homosexuality are merely choices that can be reformed. Among his peers are Gary, played by musician Troye Sivan, and Jon, portrayed by Xavier Dolan, whose rugged complexion hints at a troubled past marked by an abusive father.

The sessions delve deeper into their emotional struggles, culminating in activities designed to uncover familial traumas that they are to attribute to their homosexual feelings. Jared, finding solace in his lack of significant familial baggage, becomes a target of Victor’s scrutiny, as he believes this is the root of Jared’s supposed moral failings.

Flashbacks detail Jared’s typical high school existence—basketball practices, a girlfriend, and family moments prior to his birthday, which seems perfect on the surface but obscured by an internal struggle. As reality sets back in, Jared finds a timeline that leads him back to the clinic, where his belongings are searched, and pages from his journal are unfairly ripped away by Michael and the policies of Love in Action.

The emotional upheaval continues as Jared meets Sarah, a timid fellow participant, who finds humor in their plight. Yet, the conditioning methods employed at the clinic become ever more evident as they face psychological exercises that force them to confront their identities and perceived weaknesses.

The situation escalates when Victor enforces masculinity standards to the extreme, stripping away individual identities and molding them into ideals based on biased stereotypes. Jared’s hidden anguish becomes palpable when another participant, a small and timid boy, is tormented during therapy sessions that prioritize aggression over empathy.

As sessions unfold, tension builds when Jared experiences a traumatic incident with Henry, a fellow college student, leading to feelings of betrayal, shame, and confusion. This causal interplay illustrates the damaging consequences of the conversion therapy purportedly aimed at “curing” them.

Eventually, Jared’s confrontation with his own sexual identity leads to familial strife as his parents grapple with their roles and responsibilities. When a fellow participant, Cameron, falls victim to the ruthless pressure of the program, Jared begins to realize the grim reality of conversion therapy’s impact, culminating in his desperate decision to escape.

Through a series of harrowing events, including prayer sessions, confrontations, and family dynamics shifting towards a strained acceptance, we witness Jared’s journey toward self-acceptance and liberation from suffocating societal expectations. In a powerful moment of defiance, he ultimately retrieves his belongings, defying the manipulative environment designed to suppress his identity.

The story closes with Jared’s transformative journey well beyond the realms of conversion therapy. Now living his truth as a writer in New York, he reflects on his past while impacting societal awareness about the ongoing legalities surrounding conversion therapy.

Through this poignant tale, we learn of the resilience found through struggle, the importance of understanding individual identities, and the pressing need for compassion towards those trapped in similar circumstances. In the end, title cards reveal compelling realities both in Jared’s life and the broader implications of conversion therapy that still affect countless individuals today.

Timeline

Track the key events of Boy Erased (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Introduction to Jared

The film opens with childhood footage showcasing a sweet and innocent boy, transitioning into a teenage Jared. He is seated in church, listening to his father, Marshall, deliver a sermon about humanity's flaws while glancing at a young woman across the aisle, hinting at his budding interests.

Church

Ride to the Facility

Jared is driven by his mother, Nancy, to a facility. During the ride, he playfully extends his arm out the window, but Nancy warns him with a cautionary tale, forcing him to roll up the window and setting a tone of concern for his safety and well-being.

Arrival at the Clinic

Upon arriving at the clinic, Jared is made to surrender all his personal belongings. He is greeted by a staff member named Michael, who orders him to delete certain contacts from his phone, a sign of the strict and intrusive environment he is about to enter.

Clinic

Orientation at Love in Action

Jared learns that he is part of a controversial gay conversion program named Love in Action. During orientation, he and the other participants read aloud the clinic's stringent rules that seek to suppress their natural identities and interactions.

Love in Action Clinic

Victor's Sermon

Victor Sykes, the program director, delivers a thought-provoking sermon using a crumpled dollar bill as a metaphor. He insists that their perceived 'sins' are choices that can be reformed, establishing the clinic's underlying ideology.

Love in Action

Introduction of Peers

During his time at the clinic, Jared meets other participants like Gary and Jon, who each grapple with their own struggles. This camaraderie begins to form as they share their experiences, though the environment remains oppressive with their identities under scrutiny.

Love in Action

Exploration of Familial Trauma

The sessions at the clinic intensify, focusing on uncovering familial traumas that they must attribute to their feelings of homosexuality. Jared's relatively stable family background makes him a target for Victor's scrutiny, who sees this as problematic.

Love in Action

Flashbacks to High School Life

The narrative reveals flashbacks of Jared's seemingly perfect high school life, including basketball games, a girlfriend, and family moments. These glimpses underscore the internal struggle he faces and the façade he maintains in his personal life.

High School

Psychological Conditioning

As days progress at the clinic, harsh psychological exercises are enacted to confront the identities perceived as weaknesses. Jared's discomfort grows as he witnesses the damaging effects of these methods on himself and his peers.

Love in Action

Escalating Tensions

The clinic's enforcement of rigid masculinity standards distorts individual identities, prompting Jared to experience heightened anguish. The environment becomes increasingly hostile, with participants being humiliated in therapy sessions that prioritize aggression.

Love in Action

Traumatic Incident

Jared faces a traumatic incident involving Henry, leading to feelings of betrayal and shame. This experience deepens his internal conflict regarding his sexual identity and the extreme pressures exerted by the conversion therapy.

Love in Action

Familial Strife

As Jared’s internal struggle heightens, familial strife emerges as his parents confront their beliefs and responsibilities. Their inability to fully support him brings further turmoil to Jared's already challenging journey of self-discovery.

Cameron's Breaking Point

The grim realities of the conversion therapy are highlighted when another participant, Cameron, succumbs to the program's pressure. This tragic event catalyzes Jared to question the effectiveness and morality of the treatment they are undergoing.

Love in Action

Jared's Decision to Escape

Realizing the emotional and psychological toll of the program, Jared makes a desperate decision to escape from the oppressive environment of Love in Action. This moment signifies his growing resolve to reclaim his identity.

Love in Action

Jared's New Life

In a transformative closing, Jared is shown living as his true self in New York as a writer. He reflects on his past while advocating against conversion therapy, highlighting the importance of compassion and understanding for those trapped in similar struggles.

New York

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Boy Erased (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges)

Jared is a sensitive and introspective teenager navigating the complexities of his sexual identity in a conservative environment. His journey from denial to self-acceptance is fraught with emotional turmoil and societal rejection, especially during his time at the conversion therapy clinic. Jared's resilience shines through as he confronts both external and internal battles.

👦 Teenager 🌈 LGBTQ+

Marshall Eamons (Russell Crowe)

Marshall, Jared’s father, represents the societal pressures exerted by conservative beliefs surrounding masculinity and sexuality. While he delivers sermons preaching understanding, his actions often contradict these teachings, showcasing the conflict between parental love and societal acceptance. His character reflects the struggle parents face when confronted with their children's identities.

👨‍👦 Father ⚖️ Conflict

Nancy Eamons (Nicole Kidman)

Nancy embodies the nurturing side of family dynamics yet struggles with societal expectations regarding her son. While she shows care for Jared, her understanding is challenged by the norms imposed by their community. Throughout the film, her character undergoes a pivotal journey toward accepting her son's truth.

👩‍👦 Mother 💖 Love

Victor Sykes (Joel Edgerton)

Victor is the manipulative leader of the conversion therapy clinic, embodying the oppressive force that seeks to alter the identities of his participants. His sermons utilize psychological tactics to instill shame and control, revealing the dark side of conversion therapy practices. He symbolizes the harmful nature of societal norms imposed on individuals.

👔 Authority 💔 Oppression

Gary (Troye Sivan)

Gary is another participant in the clinic who grapples with his own identity. His character provides insight into the diverse struggles faced by individuals in similar situations. Through his interactions and experiences, he becomes a source of support for Jared, illustrating solidarity amidst adversity.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friendship 💪 Resilience

Setting

Uncover the settings of Boy Erased (2018), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Though the summary does not specify an exact time period, the story reflects contemporary societal struggles around identity, particularly within the context of LGBTQ+ rights. The narrative weaves through Jared's past and present but underscores the ongoing debate about conversion therapy practices.

Location

New York, Church, Clinic

The movie takes place in various locations that play significant roles in Jared's journey. The church symbolizes the oppressive environment of societal expectations and beliefs, where his father preaches. The clinic, a controversial conversion therapy facility, represents an insidious attempt to alter identities, while New York embodies Jared's eventual liberation and self-acceptance.

🏙️ City ⛪ Church 🏥 Clinic

Themes

Explore the core themes of Boy Erased (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🌈

Identity

The theme of identity is central to Jared's story as he grapples with his sexual orientation amid societal and familial pressures. The conversion therapy program aims to suppress individual identities, but Jared's journey unfolds as he ultimately embraces his true self. The narrative highlights the resilience required to navigate and affirm one's identity in a world that often seeks to impose rigid definitions.

🤝

Acceptance

Acceptance emerges as a powerful theme as Jared struggles with his family's understanding of his identity. The journey prompts both Jared and his parents to confront their beliefs and prejudices, eventually leading toward a journey of acceptance and understanding. This theme resonates deeply within the context of LGBTQ+ experiences and their ongoing fight for societal acceptance.

💔

Struggle

The theme of struggle is pervasive throughout Jared's experiences in the clinical environment and his navigation of personal relationships. The film portrays the psychological toll of conversion therapy and the impact of societal pressures on mental health. Jared's journey reflects the broader struggles faced by individuals in seeking love, acceptance, and their true selves against adversity.

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