If you are looking for something different to watch that does not just feel run of the mill and you really do not know where to look, then look no further. This film is not like many I have ever seen. And it’s actually something that stuck with me since I first saw this film. A good thing about Indie movies (like this film) is they generally avoid the hero’s journey troupe/cliche that blockbuster Hollywood movies tend to follow. A formula like the hero’s journey makes each movie more and more predictable than the last. A likeable protagonist that is against all odds until he trains to overcome evil and returns home a glorious hero. That is not this film. Not at all. Our Hero, Balthazar is a film that takes you on a dark, albeit enticing adventure.

The plot is pretty simple and straightforward: Balthazar, the main character, (played masterfully by Jaeden Martell) goes from New York City to Texas to try to befriend a random stranger he met on the internet and keep said stranger (who we later find out is named Solomon, and played by former child actor, Asa Butterfield) from shooting up a school. Why would he do this, you might be wondering? Why, to impress a girl, of course. Besides this, perhaps some part of himself thought deep down that it was the right thing to do. Of course, the movie would have been much shorter if he just did the right thing and called the police. Threats like school shootings are taken VERY seriously in today’s day and age. As they should be. But the script is smart enough that the story continues on simply because Balthazar wants it to, so thankfully this movie does not feel like it exists due to any plot conveniences. Part of the theme of this movie seems to be that our two main characters often act out of self interest. They are both attention seeking narcissists. They could not care less for the people around them.

Balthazar and Solomon meet after Balthazar posts these weird, and downright pathetic videos of himself on social media where he fake cries talking about a shooting that occurred in Arkansas City. Solomon sees the video and eggs on Balthazar into DM’ing (direct messaging) him. Balthazar admits later in the film that he knows how to make himself cry. Which is something that we even see at the beginning of the film. It was not cute, admirable, or even necessary for him to make these videos of himself. He completely acts out of narcissism, and, as the kids would say, “clout chasing”. Which is just a fancy way of saying looking for attention on social media.

Without spoiling anything, the two meet and form the weirdest sort of bromance you could ever imagine. Many wacky things end up happening as this movie progresses along and it ends up being quite dark by the end of it.

It was Balthazar’s responsibility, as he had appointed himself to take care of Solomon, to ensure that nobody gets hurt. But, the more time he spends with Solomon, the more Balthazar becomes like him. He no longer cares what happens to other people. Not that he cared much in the first place. But it gets even scarier to see what he becomes as the film goes on.

And, in case you were wondering why either Jaeden Martell or Asa Butterfield look familiar, it’s because they have been in movies since they were young. Jaeden played Bill Denbrough in the 2017 hit horror film, It. And Asa played Bruno in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Though, perhaps Butterfield is best known for a role he didn’t get. He was in the running for Spider-Man before Tom Holland was cast back in 2016. If I were Asa, losing out on Spider-Man would have been looked at these days as a blessing in disguise. Without that, he would not be able to really dig into stronger, more character focused roles like this movie gives him.

Both performances by Martell and Butterfield in this movie show that talent does not know any specific age. The two characters have some common ground, while still feeling independent enough of each other that they are their own person. It is easy to see at times why they would be at odds with one another. They grew up in two totally different worlds. Balthazar comes from money. And Solomon is living paycheck to paycheck and has no real friends. Neither party is exactly a likeable leading man. They both are very flawed young men who have absolutely no idea what they are doing with their lives. It is not an admirable struggle, either. Both are quite despicable.

So, is it worth the watch? Absolutely. Because one of the beauties of Indie films is that they do not play by the rules of Blockbusters like it was mentioned at the beginning of this article. You learn to expect the unexpected. And, that is a key to life, not just movies.

4 Out of 5 Stars.

It would absolutely be a good recommendation to see a movie like this. Because, while it deals with difficult subject matter, it is ultimately something that can shift your perspective on what it means to be friends with someone. Perhaps you have friends in your life that exhibit questionable behavioral choices. It’s only right to then address that and challenge them to be better. If they do not change, then you are honestly better off without them. That is what movies like this are meant to teach us.
The film may not end up qualifying for Best Picture, or Best Screenplay, but it has got some real depth behind it. Everything this film sets out to be and do, it accomplishes. It is rare that we find stories untold these days. Or, at least, it is rare that fresh stories find us. So while Our Hero, Balthazar won’t end up sweeping the Oscars, it is still a film that is worth watching and keeps you thinking about it long afterwards. The script was brilliant, as was this movie’s casting and direction.