The Boys
The Boys Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 17, 2026
Movie Overview: The Boys
| Movie | The Boys |
| Release Year | 2023 |
| Director | Chung Ji-young |
| Genre | Drama / Crime |
| Runtime | 124 minutes (2h 4m) |
| Language | KO |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Boys (2023) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Boys are led by Sul Kyung-gu . The supporting cast, including Yu Jun-sang and Jin Kyung , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Boys stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Boys has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Boys
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2023, The Boys is a Drama, Crime film directed by Chung Ji-young, written by Jeong Sang-hyeop. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Sul Kyung-gu as Hwang Joon-cheol.
Ending Explained: The Boys
The Boys Ending Explained: In 1999, a robbery-murder case occurs in a small supermarket in Samnye, Jeonbuk province. Directed by Chung Ji-young, this 2023 drama film stars Sul Kyung-gu (Hwang Joon-cheol), alongside Yu Jun-sang as Choi Woo-sung, Jin Kyung as Yoon Mi-sook, Heo Sung-tae as Park Jeong-gyu. With a 6.5/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Boys?
In 1999, a robbery-murder case occurs in a small supermarket in Samnye, Jeonbuk province. The police investigation quickly narrows down to three boys from the neighborhood, and these boys are falsely accused of being murderers overnight and are imprisoned without understanding what is happening. The following year, veteran detective Hwang Joon-cheol is newly appointed as the head of Crime Investigation Division. He receives a tip about the real culprits and embarks on a reinvestigation to clear the boys' names. However, the interference of the detective responsible for the case at the time, Choi Woo-sung, leads to everything falling apart, and Hwang is demoted. Sixteen years later, the sole witness of the case and daughter of the victim, Yoon Mi-sook, and the boys return to Hwang, seeking justice...
Chung Ji-young's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Sul Kyung-gu (Hwang Joon-cheol)'s journey. The police investigation quickly narrows down to three boys from the neighborhood, and these boys are falsely accused of being murderers overnight and are imprisoned without understanding what is happening.
How Does Sul Kyung-gu (Hwang Joon-cheol)'s Story End?
- Sul Kyung-gu: Sul Kyung-gu's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Yu Jun-sang (Choi Woo-sung): Yu Jun-sang's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Jin Kyung (Yoon Mi-sook): Jin Kyung's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Boys Mean?
The Boys's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Sul Kyung-gu may feel rushed. Chung Ji-young's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
The Boys Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Boys Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Boys draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Chung Ji-young and starring Sul Kyung-gu, this drama, crime film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Boys
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: The Boys uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Boys?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Sul Kyung-gu or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Where to Watch The Boys Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Hulu
U-NEXT
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
FOD🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesThe Boys Parents Guide & Age Rating
2023 AdvisoryWondering about The Boys age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Boys (2023) is 124 minutes (2h 4m). Directed by Chung Ji-young, the film runs for 124 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Boys is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2023 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Boys worth watching?
The Boys is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Boys parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Boys identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Boys (2023)?
The runtime of The Boys (2023) is 124 minutes (approximately 2h 4m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
