Directed by RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys is a 2024 American historical drama film that is based on Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name, which was released in 2019. The film revolves around two African-American boys, Elwood and Turner, who are sent to an abusive reform school in Florida. It premiered in August 2024 and immediately became a critically acclaimed film. So much so that it was nominated for several awards, including two Academy Awards and one Golden Globe.
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the film Nickel Boy.
What is Nickel Boys about?
Nickel Boys is a 2024 American historical drama film that focuses on Elwood Curtis after he is unjustly sent to an abusive reform school, Nickel Academy, in Florida. Inspired by the Dozier School for Boys, the film follows Elwood’s journey through the school as he attempts to maintain his dignity amidst trying circumstances. The film touches on injustice, systemic racism, and abuse while also showcasing the lasting impact that trauma has.
Elwood meets and befriends Turner, a cynical student who has grown to hate the world and expects only mistreatment from the society and the time he lives in. The film switches between the 1960s, where the boys are, and the 2010s after they’ve grown up, to showcase the difference in their lives.
Nickel Boys ending explained
The ending of Nickel Boys flips the script on the audience and shows viewers that the person they believed was Elwood Curtis was in fact his friend Turner. The film goes on to show that after Elwood convinced Turner to deliver a diary of Nickel abuse to a government inspector, things went haywire. Instead, the school and administrators find out that Elwood is behind it, and catch and torture him in a sweatbox.
Not only that, Turner discovers that the school plans to kill Elwood after which the two boys decide to run away from the school using bicycles. However, things go haywire again, as Elwood, who is still recovering from the sweatbox, cannot keep up with Turner and is caught, shot, and killed. Turner keeps running and eventually reaches Tallahassee, safely, where he informs Elwood’s grandmother of his death, moves to the North, and lives under Elwood’s name.
Also read about: Cast of Nickel Boys
FAQs on movie Nickel Boys
A. There are 224 pages in the Nickel Boys book.
A. As of 2025, there is no OTT platform to watch Nickel Boys on but Apple TV does have a “Coming Soon” page for Nickel Boys on their platform.
A. No, while Nickel Boys is based on realism, the film and the book aren’t based on a true story. However, the Nickel Academy is based on the Dozier School for Boys which used to exist in Florida.
