Oscar Boyson, longtime producer for the Safdie brothers, makes his directorial debut with Our Hero, Balthazar, a darkly comic satire that skewers incel culture, social media activism, gun violence, and self-help gurus. The film follows Balthazar (Jaeden Martell), a wealthy Manhattan teenager who posts tear-soaked videos pretending to mourn school shootings to impress his crush Eleanor (Pippa Knowles). After failing to win her over, he catfishes an online troll named deathdealer_16, hoping to prevent a real massacre.
A Queasy Buddy Movie
Deathdealer_16 is revealed to be Solomon (Asa Butterfield), a Texan living in a trailer with his grandmother. Despite Balthazar's deception, the two form a homoerotic friendship, bonding over guns and mutual alienation. The film explores the 'mutual incomprehension and fascination between liberal and red-state America,' suggesting that resignation to and glorification of gun violence are not so far apart.
Satirical Targets and Performances
Boyson's satire takes aim at multiple targets, including Magnolia-style motivational rallies run by Solomon's father (Chris Bauer). While some gags land well—such as Balthazar cloning his mother's voice to exchange filth with Solomon—the film's focus becomes diffuse. The climax feels scrambled, and the narrative shifts toward Solomon, giving Butterfield room to display his range from schlubby haplessness to good ol' boy posturing. Martell equally impresses as the weaselly Balthazar.
Release and Reception
Our Hero, Balthazar is released in UK cinemas on 16 July. The film is a scabrous, energetically directed black comedy reminiscent of Jason Reitman's early libertarian satire, offering a 'bipartisan declaration of American incompetence.'
