Movies come in all sorts of varieties. While some aim to simply entertain, others try to teach a lesson or offer insights into society, much like documentaries do.
Our Hero, Baltazar Is a Timely Masterpiece
This darkly humorous movie centers on a privileged teen from New York City who goes to Texas hoping to connect with someone planning a mass shooting – all to win over a girl he likes who’s passionate about activism.
Honestly, watching Balthazar’s character really go off the rails is captivating, but it made me think about a lot more than just his story. The film digs into what it means to be a man today, questions whether right and wrong are always clear-cut, and brilliantly captures how easily people can get pulled into extreme beliefs online – especially with all this attention culture and stuff you see in those ‘manosphere’ corners of the internet. It’s really hitting on some important issues.
The brief video introduces the story with Solomon Jackson at a “Thrash” event hosted by Avan Jogia’s character, who announces they are preparing for conflict. It then brings in Chris Bauer playing Beaver Jackson, Solomon’s father, who is shown to be abusive.
The film Our Hero, Balthazar features a cast including Bill Skarsgård (known for It and Knives Out), Asa Butterfield (Sex Education, Ender’s Game), Chris Bauer (The Wire, True Blood), Jennifer Ehle (Pride and Prejudice, Saint Maud), Anna Baryshnikov (Dickinson, Love Lies Bleeding), Fran Kranz (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, The Recruit), Becky Ann Baker (Girls, Freaks and Geeks), Avan Jogia (Twisted, 56 Days), and Pippa Knowles.
Our Hero, Balthazar Was Deemed 1 of the Best Movies of 2026
The movie Our Hero, Balthazar premiered in 2025 and was released in theaters this year to positive reviews. It’s already been recognized as one of the best films of 2026 by several critics.
Oscar Boyson’s debut film brilliantly portrays a modern youth culture obsessed with presenting a carefully crafted image of themselves online. In a world where authenticity feels staged and sharing vulnerabilities is a performance, the film captures this new generation’s tendency to turn self-display into their lived experience. It’s a bold, insightful, and often remarkable first feature.
The satirical film has received very positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a “Certified Fresh” rating of 94% based on 54 reviews. Critics generally agree that Our Hero, Balthazar is a bold and impressive first film from its director, featuring strong performances and tackling ambitious themes with both dark humor and sharp observation.
Both viewers and critics loved the film, giving it a 93% approval rating based on over 100 reviews. They especially appreciated its insightful look at society and the actors’ excellent work.
The film Our Hero, Balthazar quickly gained popularity on social media. Its parody account for the main character became the third most-followed account for an independent movie, following those of Academy Award winners Marty Supreme and Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Our Hero, Balthazar returns to theaters for one final night on July 23.
2026-07-21 19:07