Between what feels like an endless series of delays and a seemingly dire future for theaters, 2020 has been a challenging year for the movie industry. The only good thing to come out of it is the fact that titles which would normally be overlooked on PVOD platforms are now getting the chance to shine, and The True Adventures of Wolfboy should be a must-watch for you this weekend.
Following a teenage boy called Paul (Jaeden Martell) who suffers from a rare condition called congenital hypertrichosis - an affliction that causes an abnormal amount of hair growth all over his face and body - this surprisingly sweet tale sees him set off to seek out the mother he's never known, all while avoiding those who seek take advantage of his unique appearance.
At times, it does fall into the trappings of a typical Indie flick, with the way it's shot, the soundtrack, and the handling of some emotional beats bordering on feeling a tad clichéd. That's not to say what director Martin Krejcí delivers is in any way bad, but it occasionally feels like he's trying to make an Indie movie, rather than committing to what writer Olivia Dufault has put on the page. Looking beyond that, however, and this is a strong feature debut for them both, and Dufault is going to be a talent to watch (her previous credits include TV shows like Preacher and Legion).
The True Adventures of Wolfboy's story never falls into any familiar pitfalls, and frequently takes Paul in some unexpected, exciting directions. Along the way, he crosses paths with an eclectic group of characters, and this is a world it's easy to become lost in very quickly. Martell is superb, singling himself out as one of the best young actors working today following memorable turns in IT, Knives Out, and Defending Jacob. He's surrounded by a terrific cast which includes Chris Messina, a John Turturro who is firing on all cylinders, and an excellent Eve Hewson.
However, it's Sophie Giannamore who establishes herself as the movie's breakout star with a touching, beautiful performance that will hopefully lead to more leading roles down the line. The fact that both she and her character are transgender is handled in a sensitive, meaningful way, with it a normal part of this world and not something the movie ever needs to preach about or make a point over. It's just normal, and that's refreshing to see.
There are, of course, some messages here, and those are ones of acceptance, friendship, and an exploration of how your relationships change as you mature. The True Adventures of Wolfboy is ultimately a feel-good story, though there are plenty of moments of peril and storytelling decisions you won't necessarily see coming. It's dark in places, and surprisingly comedic in others, and as we follow Paul everywhere from a travelling carnival to an impromptu birthday party, and ultimately an emotional face-to-face confrontation, the movie feels like a throwback which is part-Stephen King, part-Stranger Things, and that's a recipe which never feels derivative in this touching coming-of-age adventure.
The True Adventures of Wolfboy is a wonderful, emotional coming-of-age adventure with a compelling premise, and a beautiful performance from Sophie Giannamore which promises to put her on the map in a big way.