Nowhere Boy

Play trailer

Nowhere Boy

R,

2010,

1h 37m,

Drama/

Biography

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

81%

145 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

145 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A rebellious teenager, future Beatle John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) lives with his Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) in working-class Liverpool, England. Mimi's husband suddenly dies, and John spies his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), at the funeral. Despite Mimi's misgivings, John intends to have a real relationship with his mother. Julia introduces him to popular music and the banjo and, though a family conflict looms, young Lennon is inspired to form his own band.

Critics Consensus

Don't expect any musical insights, but this look at John Lennon's early life benefits from its restrained, low-key approach and some fine acting from Aaron Johnson.

Read Critics Reviews

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 30, 2018

It is perfectly accomplished, and pleasing enough, but it's not going to blow your socks off, even though the combination of Ms Taylor Wood and such a compelling story would give you every reason to think it might.

Go to Full Review

Nick James

Sight & Sound

Apr 6, 2017

The acting all round is pretty good, but the story itself is given to a sense of drift, as if the film itself doesn't know any better than Lennon what it wants.

Go to Full Review

Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

Oct 19, 2010

Taylor-Wood has specialized in video installations and off-kilter portraits, and it was tempting to hope that her take on Lennon would unsettle and provoke. Instead, she stays resolutely on-kilter, as if awed into numbness by her subject.

Go to Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Jul 20, 2022

Nowhere Boy, with all its quirky vagueness, at least offers a nostalgic charge reminiscent of the old Liverpool of Penny Lane. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Bianca Garner

In Their Own League

Feb 3, 2021

For any massive fans of The Beatles then this is a must-see. The filmmakers also manage to carefully and effectively replicate the lates 50s and early 60s era in great attention to detail.

Go to Full Review

Ellie Lucas

From the Front Row

Aug 5, 2019

2/4

A film of image over substance, something Lennon himself spent a lifetime rejecting. The film not only ignore that, it betrays it.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Abraham P

Jan 5, 2019

Even though this was a standard biopic, I really enjoyed this movie. Aaron Taylor-Johnson gave a great and engaging performance as Lennon. I also liked that this movie chose to focus on a specific period of Lennon's life and get it accurate rather than try to cover his entire life and not spend enough time on anything.

See more

Harry G

Jun 4, 2018

I am an old Beatles fan and just loved this movie. The actors and cast were wonderful. I just fell in love with Aaron Johnson as John. He truly has the spirit of John. Watch this movie and you will see how it was truly fate that brought these four musical genious's together at that place and time. You will also see and understand where a lot of their songs were about. Remember, they were really still just very young boys. Very young boys with very strong spirits.

See more

George G

Jun 3, 2018

The early years (pre-Beatles) of John Lennon. Some of his background and his early-days attitude is surprising since he is primarily known during and post-Beatles. Interesting biopic.

See more

Leia S

May 2, 2018

this movie very amazing!!!!! ilove ir so much. this movie is one of my fav movie eveeeer!!!

Rey R

Feb 17, 2018

This drama captures the foundations and raw spirit behind Lennon and The Beatles. Strong performances and characterisation are only a little undermined by some heavy handed imagery. Avoids new insights in favour of an accurate re-telling.

See more

Leia R

Jul 25, 2017

This film follows Lennon's early life as a teenager very well. Despite a few scene that never happened, its still a great film.

Read all reviews

Sam Taylor-Johnson

Director

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

John Lennon

Kristin Scott Thomas

Mimi Smith

Anne-Marie Duff

Julia Lennon

David Threlfall

George Smith

Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Paul McCartney

View more videos

Barney's Version

77%

78%

Barney's Version

Watchlist

Che: Part One

67%

75%

Che: Part One

Watchlist

Beginners

86%

77%

Beginners

Watchlist

The Damned United

92%

85%

The Damned United

Watchlist

Potiche

84%

61%

Potiche

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Sam Taylor-Wood talks John Lennon and Nowhere Boy

Five Favorite Films with Aaron Johnson

Critics Consensus: Secretariat Is A Solid Bet

View more photos

Synopsis

A rebellious teenager, future Beatle John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) lives with his Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) in working-class Liverpool, England. Mimi's husband suddenly dies, and John spies his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), at the funeral. Despite Mimi's misgivings, John intends to have a real relationship with his mother. Julia introduces him to popular music and the banjo and, though a family conflict looms, young Lennon is inspired to form his own band.

Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Producer: Robert Bernstein, Kevin Loader, Douglas Rae
Screenwriter: Matt Greenhalgh
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Film4, UK Film Council, Lipsync Productions, Ecosse Films, North West Vision
Rating: R (Language|A Scene of Sexuality)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 8, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 9, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.4M
Runtime: 1h 37m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings