Jan Komasa's 'Heel' explores family trauma through a kidnapping thriller
The film features strong performances from Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, and Anson Boon
A kidnapped young man forms a complex relationship with his captors
Despite some narrative flaws, the film is described as 'pungently creepy' and engaging
📖 Full Retelling
Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa's latest thriller 'Heel' (formerly titled 'Good Boy'), featuring Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, and Anson Boon, premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released in select theaters on March 6, 2026, by Magnolia Pictures. The film follows a 19-year-old London raver who, during an extreme binge, is kidnapped and chained in the basement of a posh estate by Graham and Riseborough's characters, exploring themes of family trauma and redemption through its disturbing kidnapping narrative. The movie presents a complex psychological dynamic between the captive Tommy (Boon) and his captors, who gradually transition him from a basement prisoner to a more domesticated member of their household while maintaining control through an elaborate collar and pulley system. Despite its somewhat standard plot elements and occasional narrative breadcrumbs, the film distinguishes itself through its strong performances, particularly Boon's transformation from an unlikable party animal to a more sensitive character, and the unsettling chemistry between Graham and Riseborough as the manipulative captors with their own troubled family history.
🏷️ Themes
Family trauma, Psychological thriller, Redemptive arc, Kidnapping/hostage situation
Stephen Graham (born 3 August 1973) is an English actor, producer, and screenwriter. He has received nominations for seven British Academy Television Awards and one British Academy Film Award, and won three Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award among other accolades.
Graham began his care...
Andrea Louise Riseborough (born 20 November 1981) is an English actress. She made her film debut with a small part in Venus (2006), and has since appeared in more prominent roles in Brighton Rock (2010), W.E. (2011), Shadow Dancer (2012), Oblivion (2013), Birdman (2014), Nocturnal Animals (2016), Ba...
Jan Tadeusz Komasa (born 1981) is a Polish filmmaker. He is best known for directing Suicide Room (2011), Warsaw 44 (2014), and Corpus Christi (2019), which was nominated for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. His previous works premiered and won awards at Tribeca Film F...
