Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Good Boys (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Good Boys (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 90 min · English
Echo score 66
Directed by
Gene Stupnitsky, Lee Eisenberg
Starring
Jacob Tremblay, LilRel Howery, Sam Richardson, Chance Hurstfield, Will Forte, Midori Francis
Budget
$20M

When 12-year-old Max’s first kissing party approaches, he enlists his best friends, Thor and Lucas, for advice. Their curiosity leads them to commandeer a drone to secretly observe their neighbors, but their spying goes wrong when the drone is damaged. Determined to replace it before their fathers discover the mishap, the boys find themselves on a wild and increasingly chaotic adventure. Their quest involves stolen substances, a paintball battle, and frantic attempts to evade both the police and older, intimidating teenagers.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Good Boys
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Good Boys (2019)

Where can you watch Good Boys? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

3 main characters · contains spoilers

Good Boys Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Good Boys (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Max

    played by Jacob Tremblay

    Max is a charming and determined sixth-grader who is infatuated with his classmate Brixlee. His adventurous spirit drives the plot forward, as he constantly seeks to overcome obstacles for love and friendship. Despite his youthful naivety, Max shows remarkable growth as he learns about responsibility and the repercussions of his actions.

    • 😄 Determined
    • 💖 In love
    • 🎮 Adventurous
  • Lucas

    played by Keith L. Williams

    Lucas grapples with the emotional fallout of his parents' divorce, showcasing a sensitive and introspective side to his character. His hesitations and fears about losing his friends add depth to his role, making him relatable to viewers. Lucas ultimately learns to stand up against bullying, evolving into a more assertive and confident individual by the end of the story.

    • 😢 Sensitive
    • 👊 Brave
    • 👫 Supportive
  • Thor

    played by Brady Noon

    Thor is characterized by his love for singing and a passion for the performing arts, which often puts him at odds with his peers. His character embodies the struggle of embracing individuality in the face of bullying and peer pressure. Thor's journey of self-acceptance culminates in him landing a significant role in the school play, highlighting his personal growth.

    • 🎤 Artistic
    • 🎶 Passionate
    • 🌈 Unique

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:09

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Good Boys Take Place?

The setting of Good Boys (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events transpire in contemporary times, reflecting modern adolescent experiences. The characters face common challenges that resonate with today’s youth, such as friendship, parental issues, and peer pressure, which are contrasted against a lighthearted, comedic narrative. Their interactions and incidents mirror the essence of childhood exploration in a digital age.

Location

Local Mall, Convenience Store, School

The story unfolds primarily in a local mall, which serves as a hub for adolescent adventures and mischief. The convenience store plays a crucial role as the boys navigate their frantic escapades while being tailed by authority figures. Their school backdrop adds layers of social dynamics and pressure as they cope with the trials of sixth grade and peer relationships.

  • 🏫 School
  • 🏢 Mall
  • 🛒 Convenience

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:09

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Good Boys Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Good Boys (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Friendship

    At its core, 'Good Boys' is a celebration of friendship and the trials that come with growing up. The bond between Max, Lucas, and Thor is tested through various challenges, but ultimately it reinforces the importance of loyalty and support. Their collective journey highlights how true friends navigate life's hurdles together, even amid chaos.

  • Coming of Age

    The movie encapsulates the coming-of-age theme as the boys face the poignant realities of growing up. Each character grapples with their insecurities, romantic feelings, and the complexities of family dynamics. The laughter mingles with heartfelt moments that underscore the transition from childhood innocence to the challenges of adolescence.

  • Self-Discovery

    Through their escapades, the boys embark on a journey of self-discovery. Thor's struggle to embrace his love for singing illustrates the broader theme of accepting one's identity. As the boys learn to express their true selves, they also confront societal norms and expectations, inviting viewers to reflect on the importance of authenticity.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:09

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Good Boys Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Good Boys (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Good Boys set?

Good Boys takes place in a suburban American setting, primarily centered around a local mall, a convenience store, and the boys' school. The mall serves as the main hub for their misadventures, while the convenience store becomes a crucial location during their chaotic quest. The school setting establishes the social dynamics and peer pressure the boys face in sixth grade.

  • setting
  • location
  • mall
  • school
  • convenience store
Q2

What time period is Good Boys set in?

Good Boys is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern adolescent experiences in a digital age. The story features current-day technology like drones and modern social dynamics, with the characters facing relatable challenges such as peer pressure, friendship struggles, and family issues that resonate with today's youth.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern
  • setting
Q3

What are the main themes in Good Boys?

Good Boys explores three core themes: friendship, coming-of-age, and self-discovery. The film celebrates the bond between Max, Lucas, and Thor as they navigate challenges together. It depicts the transition from childhood innocence to adolescent challenges, including dealing with divorce, bullying, and first crushes. Additionally, the movie emphasizes accepting one's true identity, particularly through Thor's journey with his passion for singing.

  • themes
  • friendship
  • coming of age
  • self-discovery
  • growing up
Q4

How does Good Boys address divorce?

Good Boys touches on divorce through Lucas's character, whose parents are going through a separation. This subplot adds emotional depth to the film, showing how family upheaval affects children and their friendships. Lucas's journey includes dealing with fears about losing his friends and eventually finding the strength to stand up to bullies, demonstrating personal growth despite his challenging home life.

  • divorce
  • family
  • lucas
  • emotional themes
Q5

Who are the main characters in Good Boys?

Good Boys centers on three sixth-graders: Max, the charming and adventurous leader who is infatuated with his classmate Brixlee; Lucas, the sensitive character dealing with his parents' divorce and learning to be more assertive; and Thor, the artistic boy who loves singing and struggles with embracing his individuality despite peer pressure.

  • characters
  • main characters
  • max
  • lucas
  • thor
  • cast
Q6

What is Thor's struggle in Good Boys?

Thor struggles with accepting and expressing his true identity in a peer environment that ridicules his love for singing and performing arts. Throughout the movie, he faces bullying for his interests but ultimately lands a significant role in the school play, symbolizing his journey toward self-acceptance and embracing his authentic self.

  • thor
  • character arc
  • singing
  • identity
  • self-acceptance
  • school play
Q7

Does Good Boys have a happy ending?

Good Boys concludes with a unambiguously happy ending. Each boy achieves a personal victory, Max learns about responsibility, Lucas overcomes his fears and stands up to bullies, and Thor lands the lead role in the school play. Most importantly, their friendship is solidly reaffirmed, with the trio overcoming the challenges that tested their bond throughout their chaotic adventure.

  • ending
  • happy ending
  • friendship resolution
  • character growth
Q8

What does Good Boys say about friendship?

Good Boys celebrates friendship as a cornerstone of growing up. The bond between Max, Lucas, and Thor is tested through various high-stakes challenges, but ultimately reinforces the importance of loyalty and support. The film shows that true friends navigate life's hurdles together, even amid chaos, and that friendship requires standing by each other through difficult times.

  • friendship
  • loyalty
  • bond
  • themes
Q9

Is Good Boys appropriate for kids?

Good Boys is rated R for crude language, sexual references, and drug content, despite being centered on 12-year-old characters. While the tone is light and comedic, the film deals with mature topics like drug dealing, theft, and family divorce through a comedic lens. It is intended for teenage and adult audiences rather than the actual age group of its protagonists.

  • rating
  • r appropriateness
  • parental guidance
Q10

Why is Good Boys rated R?

Good Boys received an R rating due to its crude humor, frequent profanity, sexual references, and scenes involving drugs and alcohol. Although the protagonists are sixth-graders, the content is designed for older audiences, reflecting a comedic approach that doesn't shy away from mature language and situations often associated with teenage coming-of-age stories.

  • rating
  • r rated
  • maturity
  • audience

Movie threads

More Movies Like Good Boys, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Good Boys tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Panicked childhood misadventures like in Good Boys

Young protagonists whose small problems spiral into chaotic, high-stakes odysseys. If you liked the chaotic energy of Good Boys, you'll enjoy these movies about kids on wild, self-inflicted quests. This thread gathers similar comedies where youthful naivety leads to frantic chases, awkward encounters, and a desperate race against time, all filtered through a lighthearted, humorous lens.

  • frantic
  • mischievous
  • youthful
  • chaotic
  • awkward
  • adventurous
  • Tone: light, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, frantic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a relatable childhood goal or mistake that quickly spirals out of control. A linear chain of cause-and-effect drives the plot forward at a breakneck pace, with each attempt to fix a problem creating a bigger one. The journey is less about the destination and more about the chaotic, often humorous, process of survival and self-discovery.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared core: the collision of childhood innocence with adult-sized consequences, played for laughs. They feature a fast pace, a light tone that keeps peril from feeling truly threatening, and a focus on the intense, albeit temporary, panic that defines a kid's worldview.

Friendship comedies forged in chaos like Good Boys

Stories where a group's friendship is tested and strengthened by a shared, crazy experience. Fans of the trio's dynamic in Good Boys will appreciate these movies about friendships strengthened by wild escapades. This section features films where a group's loyalty and chemistry are the heart of the story, tested by a fast-paced, comedic adventure that brings them closer together.

  • humorous
  • heartwarming
  • chaotic
  • youthful
  • adventurous
  • loyalty
  • Tone: light, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative structure is a journey, either literal or metaphorical, undertaken by a group. External conflicts and obstacles arise rapidly, forcing the friends to collaborate, argue, and ultimately unite to overcome the challenge. The central arc is the evolution of the friendship itself, moving from a state of casual familiarity to a proven, unbreakable bond.

Why they belong together: This thread connects movies where the primary emotional payoff is the affirmation of friendship. The shared experience of a fast-paced, often absurd, adventure acts as a catalyst for character growth and solidifies the group's connection, all while maintaining a light, comedic tone that ensures the journey is fun above all else.

If you liked this

Movies Like Good Boys

Similar movies to Good Boys: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Good Boys (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Good Boys in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app