Our Hero, Balthazar ★★★★

Released: TBC

Director: Oscar Boyson

Starring: Jayden Martell, Asa Butterfield

A directorial debut from Oscar Boyson starring Jayden Martell (It) and Asa Butterfield (Sex Education), Our Hero, Balthazar boldly explores taboo topics in a thought-provoking, darkly comedic way. Martell plays titular character Balthy, a wealthy New York teenager who is eager to impress his activist crush. Following an online connection to Texas, Balthy is convinced he’s able to stop an act of extreme violence. Showcasing excellent performances, an intriguing central dynamic and cutting commentary, Our Hero, Balthazar is a riveting piece of filmmaking that perfectly balances its comedic and thrilling tones.

If Borgli’s The Drama was proof that audiences enjoy thematically ambitious films covering serious, controversial topics, Our Hero, Balthazar further solidifies that. It’s another example of thought-provoking storytelling, diving deep into themes and ideas that spur conversations amongst viewers. Harking back to ideas portrayed in The Drama back in April, as well as Netflix’s award-winning limited series Adolescence last year, it’s as uncomfortable as it is entertaining. The script puts an unconventional friendship front and centre, built on a performative activist attempting to get through to a potential gun-wielding criminal. The dynamic between the pair delivers such an engaging match, and we’re never quite sure how this dysfunctional bond will play out. Volatility and naivety is present on both sides, whether it be Martell’s Balthy being in way over his head, or Butterfield’s Solomon trying to impress his problematic father. Neither have the emotionally intelligent capabilities needed to connect properly, thus creating a bond charged with emotion and anger. Both have faced rejection and may be more alike than they think, despite their different backgrounds, upbringings, and social and financial status. The most interesting theme the script explores is the performative nature of both sides, trying to impress their loved ones by adopting viewpoints and reactions that aren’t necessarily true to them. It’s truly engaging stuff.

The film would not work as well as it does without the strength of those central performances. Martell and Butterfield deliver phenomenal work, both separately and collectively, selling their complex characters perfectly. Asa Butterfield is simply transformative, and it’s hard to pinpoint a role similar to this that he’s undertaken prior, despite a stacked career. Solomon is a lonely, troubled individual, looking after a sick family member whilst struggling to hold down employment. His behaviour towards his peers forces him to lose opportunities, and his constant need to impress his gun-toting father makes his behaviour all the more problematic. Butterfield does a great job delivering an authentic character, one that feels consistently troubling and eerily dangerous. Martell’s Balthy comes from a background riddled with both harsh similarities and differences to Solomon. He may have a stunning home, wealthy family and positive prospects, but he too struggles to bond and connect with those around him. His mum seems too pre-occupied with work to pay him much notice, and his attempts to impress his activist crush seem to fall flat. Jaeden Martell transforms these blows into a character that lacks authenticity in every aspect, in such a believable manner. Whether he’s turning on the waterworks to impress his peers or surprisingly befriending the problematic Solomon, he turns in an excellent performance. The supporting cast is stacked with talented individuals including Jennifer Ehle (The King’s Speech), Noah Centineo (Warfare) and Avan Jogia (Zombieland: Double Tap), but their appearances are sparse. It’s really a two man show, and it works superbly as one.

The reason the social commentary included in Our Hero, Balthazar is so effective is largely due to the tonal balance. The film is often chilling, bringing to light concerning behaviours and the events that can cause a person to adopt such behaviours. However, it’s also got a delicious level of dark humour to it, bringing an awkward lightness that you can’t help but chuckle at amongst the chaos. There’s lots of unsettling insight into gun culture, something that feels scarily real in today’s world, but the humour never negates that fact. The humour amplifies the commentary rather than making light of it, never shying away from the uncomfortable reality of the existence of this culture in our world. It cleverly shows how the internet and online world can play a part in our beliefs and behaviours, but steers clear of just becoming a generic internet thriller. Our pair’s dynamic might start through online direct messages but ends in the real world, the way these belief systems often do. Thematic ambition is always impressive, but especially so here given the fact it’s a directorial debut. Filmmaker Boyson proves he has a voice worth hearing, and hopefully an exciting career spurs from this flick.

Our Hero, Balthazar might not be for all audiences due to the uncomfortable topics discussed and the upfront nature in which they’re explored, but for those looking for a thought-provoking, challenging piece of cinema, it can definitely be found here. It may not be laugh out loud comedic or jaw-droppingly thrilling, but what it does succeed in is blending dark humour with biting commentary, showcased by a clever script and excellent central performances.