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Nickel Boys 2024

Movie · 140 min · English · December 13, 2024

DramaHistorical dramaIndependent

Directed by RaMell RossWritten by RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes

Starring Ethan Herisse, Ethan Cole Sharp, Brandon Wilson, Daveed Diggs, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Nickel Boys is a 2024 American historical drama film adapted from Colson Whitehead’s 2019 novel of the same name. The movie was directed by RaMell Ross, with a screenplay co-written by Joslyn Barnes. Ethan Herisse plays Elwood, and Brandon Wilson portrays Turner, two Black teenagers who are sent to a harsh reform school in 1960s Florida. The story is based on the real-life Dozier School for Boys, a closed institution known for its cruel conditions.

The film uses a first-person narrative style and was filmed in Louisiana during late 2022. It made its debut at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2024, followed by a limited release through Amazon MGM Studios on December 13, 2024. The American Film Institute recognized it as one of the top 10 films of 2024. It received critical acclaim, including the Best Cinematography award at the 40th Independent Spirit Awards, a Best Motion Picture – Drama nomination at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, and two nominations at the 97th Academy Awards—Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

IndieWire named it the best film of the 2020s, as of 2025, while others have ranked it among the best of the 21st century. The film’s score was composed by Alex Somers and Scott Alario. It was produced by Orion Pictures and Plan B Entertainment, and has a runtime of 140 minutes. The language of the film is English, and it originates from the United States.

Cast

• EH
  Ethan HerisseElwood
• EC
  Ethan Cole Sharpyoung Elwood
• BW
  Brandon WilsonTurner
• 
  Daveed Diggsadult Turner
• AE
  Aunjanue Ellis-TaylorHattie
• 
  Hamish LinklaterSpencer
• 
  Fred HechingerHarper
• JF
  Jimmie FailsMr. Hill
• 
  Luke TennieGriff

Crew

Director

RaMell Ross

Screenplay

RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes

Producer

Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, David Levine, Joslyn Barnes

Cinematography

Jomo Fray

Editing

Nicholas Monsour

Music

Alex Somers, Scott Alario

Details

Production

Anonymous Content, Louverture Films, Orion Pictures (through Amazon MGM Studios), Plan B Entertainment

Distributor

Amazon MGM Studios (International)

Budget

$23.2million

Box office

$3million

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