HEEL, aka THE GOOD BOY HAS A LOT OF SIMILIARITIES TO BLACK SNAKE MOAN…

The new movie Heel (also known as The Good Boy in the UK) is like an updated, more twisted version of Black Snake Moan. Instead of Samuel L. Jackson chaining up a sex-crazed Christina Ricci, its about an innocent-looking British couple played by Andrea Riseborough and Stephen Graham chaining up a cocaine-and-alcohol fueled young thug. In both films, the captors are trying to “cure” their captives. But, while the two seem very similar on the outside, they are actually wildly different films once the layers are peeled back.

THE ACTING IN THIS FILM IS INCREDIBLE…

Heel has two things going for it that make it a must-watch film. First, is the phenomenal cast. Stephen Graham, coming off of his celebrated work in Netflix’s Adolescence is spine-tingling as the patriarch of the family. He seems quiet and timid, but there is a raging monster inside of him that makes him a terrifying presence. Andrea Riseborough, looking ever-so waifish and disconnected from reality, is also chilling as the mother. The fantastic thing about both of these performances is that its never quite apparent what this couple is capable of or what they are going to do next.

Anson Boon is equally as terrific as Tommy, the kid held captive in their basement. Unlike Graham’s character Chris, Tommy is outwardly a monster. He has lived his life not caring about anyone, but himself. In camera footage played back to him on a small TV in the basement, we see Tommy terrorizing other kids in increasingly violent ways. The audience shouldn’t be rooting for this character; he is an absolute menace to society. But, Boon exudes this charisma and fierceness that makes him a compelling lead. And seeing his transformation, is one of the most genuine delights of Heel.

THIS SCREENPLAY WILL KEEP VIEWERS GUESSING UNTIL THE LAST SECOND…

The second thing that makes this movie a must-see, is the audacious screenplay by Bartek Bartosik and Naqqash Khalid. There is so much about this script that is utterly brilliant. It honestly would be worthy of an Oscar nomination, if the Academy didn’t completely overlook films like this. (Case in point… Weapons). Bartosik and Khalid hook viewers with the plot and then with all of the questions. Why is this couple doing what they are doing? Is Tommy the first boy that they’ve done this too? How will he escape? The writers have blurred the lines of each character’s nature, all of them have redeeming qualities… but, are all of them antagonists too?

The name of the film is interesting… It is to be assumed that it’s in reference to a command an owner makes to their dog to follow closely behind them. But, it can also mean a figure that acts as an antagonist to the hero. So, it’s very intriguing that these lines are so blurred in the film… who is actually the hero and who is the antagonist here?

The screenplay provides some shocking twists and turns, as well. Audiences will never quite know where it is going. And it’s done in such a slow burn way, methodically peeling back the layers to its storytelling, but also holding its cards tight. There is a lot of ambiguity here that might upset viewers who like everything in films to be explained neatly. But, that ambiguity leads to so much to chew on afterwards and discuss. As the film was drawing to a close, there was a worry that it was going off the rails a bit. There’s nothing worse than an otherwise fantastic film, not being able to stick the landing. But, Heel was able to pull it all together in a finale that will most certainly take your breath away. It is bold, powerful and will really force viewers to sit in their emotions, while the credits roll.

IS HEEL WORTH A WATCH?

Heel is not an action-packed film. It moves at a deliberate pace that will test the patience of some viewers. And audience members that like all of their questions answered by the time a film is over, will probably despise this . But, for anyone who loves thought-provoking, morally-ambiguous, slightly demented storytelling with top-tier acting, Heel is a film that is not to be missed.

Heel is In Select Theaters and On Digital March 6th, 2026.

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