The black comedy thriller The Good Boy (also known as Heel) is now streaming on Prime Video in the UK after its theatrical release. The film stars Stephen Graham as Chris and Andrea Riseborough as Kathryn, a married couple who abduct 19-year-old Tommy (Anson Boon), a foul-mouthed, drug-abusing criminal. They attempt to rehabilitate him through various methods, including beating and tasering whenever he resists captivity.
Fan Reactions
Fans have taken to IMDb to share their thoughts. One reviewer said: "One of the strongest films I've seen in years. The ending was - for me - very very VERY surprising. But kinda logical if you go deeper and think about Tommy and his life and people in it." Another added: "Best film I've seen this year. Once it gets going, you'll be completely fixated on the screen."
The Good Boy Ending Explained
Over time, Tommy realises that compliance earns small rewards, and he is eventually allowed to roam most of the house while still chained to the ceiling via a complex overhead system. Although he shows signs of reforming, he remains desperate to escape and tries to enlist housekeeper Rina (Monika Frajczy). After Rina gives him a four-digit lock code, he struggles with Chris and Kathryn, who eventually agree to let him go. Tommy collapses at the side of the road, is found and questioned by police, but does not tell the full truth. He also discovers that it was not his mother who reported him missing, but his ex-girlfriend Gabbie (Savannah Steyn), who is just as destructive as he was. Tommy chloroforms Gabbie and drives her to Chris and Kathryn's house, believing she will undergo the same extreme rehabilitation.
A lingering question is the identity of Charlie, a character referenced throughout the film who appears to have died. Speaking to Screen Daily, actor Graham offered his opinion: "Their son was an addict and they were trying to help him. The only way they felt they could do it was by keeping him and then he ran away, and they’ve never seen him since. But I said at the very beginning, I don’t think we should tell the audience that. We should leave it to their imaginations. So it’s ambiguous in that respect."
Where to Watch
The Good Boy is now streaming on Prime Video and is climbing the platform's Top 10 chart. Prime Video only subscriptions start at £7.99 per month, while a full Amazon Prime subscription with video streaming costs £8.99 per month.
