‘Boy Erased’ Trailer: Gay Conversion Programs and the Power of Acceptance

It’s hard growing up gay or queer especially if you live in a devoted Christian environment. That’s precisely what Boy Erased tries to tell us in the latest teaser trailer that just dropped. Written, produced, and directed by Bright’s Joel Edgerton, the film packs heavy emotional drama and family conflict from Lucas Hedges (Lady Bird) and Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.

Set in a typical small-town America, Boy Erased follows the story of Jared (Hedges) who comes out to his parents (Kidman and Crowe) as gay. The only catch? Jared’s dad is a Baptist pastor. Things begin to take a turn for the worst when Jared is forced to undergo a gay conversion program, headed by pastor Victor Sykes (Edgerton). Based on the trailer below, it’s going to be a bleak and heavy fall movie schedule.

From the Boy Erased trailer itself, you can already feel the pain and sadness resonating throughout the whole thing. But one thing that makes things hopeful for Jared is his mom, who ultimately sees that it’s not a sin to be gay and that there’s absolutely no harm in loving her son for who he is.

Boy Erased also stars Xavier Dolan, Troye Sivan, Theodore Pellerin, Jesse LaTourette, and Britton Sear. The trailer also features an original song, titled “Revelation,” by Sivan and post-rock band Sigur Rós vocalist Jónsi. Check out the official synopsis of the film below:

Boy Erased tells the story of Jared, the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents at age 19.  Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a gay conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith.  “Boy Erased” is the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.

Boy Erased hits theaters November 2, 2018.