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Monday, February 10 2025

Colson Whitehead’s harrowing novel “The Nickel Boys” takes a bold leap to the big screen this fall, weaving a profound narrative of friendship, endurance and the stark brutality of the U.S. Jim Crow South.

Slated for release in select theaters Oct. 25, this adaptation dives deep into the heart of Florida, U.S.A.’s oppressive reform school system where two Black teenagers form an unbreakable bond amid unspeakable violence.

'The Nickel Boys' (Photo credit: Amazon MGM Studios)
‘The Nickel Boys’ (Photo credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Elwood Curtis, a bright young man with dreams of college, finds his life derailed along a quiet Florida highway. A single, innocent mistake lands him in the infamous Nickel Academy, a reformatory whose hidden cruelties are emblematic of a racially segregated society. At Nickel, Elwood encounters Turner, a street-wise fellow inmate who bears the scars of the system’s callousness.

Together, they navigate the treacherous waters of their shared imprisonment. Turner offers hard-earned survival strategies, and Elwood holds fast to his idealistic belief in justice and equality.

Set against the growing U.S. civil rights movement backdrop, “The Nickel Boys” captures the stark contrast between Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s stirring calls for change and the insurmountable despair within Nickel’s walls. However, even in the face of brutality, Elwood refuses to relinquish his hope for a better world. His unshakable humanity sparks a quiet revolution in Turner as the two forge a friendship that transcends their bleak surroundings.

Directed by RaMell Ross (“Hale County This Morning,” “This Evening”), with a screenplay co-written by Ross and Joslyn Barnes, the film promises to be a gripping portrayal of resilience and moral reckoning. Produced by a stellar team that includes Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Brad Pitt, the film features a remarkable ensemble cast led by Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson, alongside performances from Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs and Aunjanue Ellis.

With its haunting score by Alex Somers and Scott Alario, The Nickel Boys is not just a historical reflection. It is a poignant reminder of the unyielding human spirit.

This film is a testament to the powerful connections formed in adversity, reminding viewers that hope and friendship endure even in the dark times.

Check out the trailer below.

Nickel Boys Poster

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About Author

Tammy Rae Matthews

Dr. Tammy Rae Matthews (she/her) is an assistant professor of digital journalism and sports journalism at St. Bonaventure University's Jandoli School of Communication. She holds a doctoral degree in media research and practice from the University of Colorado Boulder, a master’s in public communication from Colorado State University and a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She had nearly 20 years of experience in major-market media, including serving as special sections editor for the Chicago Sun-Times and its north suburban subsidiaries. Matthews' research expertise is in studying global sports experiences, Namibia specifically, as well as delving into queer theories, storytelling, language, feminist theories, oral histories, social media and journalism.

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