Our Hero, Balthazar is a 2025 satirical thriller directed by Oscar Boyson in his feature debut. The film stars Jaeden Martell as Balthazar “Balthy” Malone, a rich teenager from New York City who is obsessed with how he looks on social media.
Trying to impress an activist classmate, Balthy posts emotional videos about gun control online. When an anonymous troll starts mocking him, he becomes obsessed and convinces himself the person is dangerous. This belief leads Balthy and his friend Solomon, played by Asa Butterfield, on a road trip to Texas to confront the stranger.
The film is a dark satire about performative activism, social media culture, and how online attention can distort reality. Produced by A24, it also stars Jennifer Ehle, Chris Bauer, and Noah Centineo and is known for its uncomfortable and provocative tone. It had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 8, 2025.
Our Hero, Balthazar Age Rating
Our Hero, Balthazar film is rated R for crude sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some violence/a grisly image, and drug use. This rating reflects the film’s explicit material and intentionally confrontational tone, making it unsuitable for children and most teens. The content is presented in a satirical but often unsettling manner, designed to provoke discomfort rather than entertainment.
Our Hero, Balthazar Parents Guide
Drug Use: The characters are depicted using drugs, which is presented as part of their privileged, often aimless lifestyles. This usage is frequent enough to be a significant factor in the film’s R rating.
Sexual Content & Nudity: The film contains “crude sexual content” and “graphic nudity.” These scenes are often used to highlight the raw, sometimes disturbing nature of adolescent experimentation and the blurred lines between public and private personas in the internet age.
Language: There is “strong language throughout” the entire runtime. The dialogue is heavy with profanity and aggressive verbal exchanges, reflecting the volatile nature of online discourse and teenage angst.
Violence & Grisly Images: While primarily a satire, the film features “some violence” and at least one “grisly image.” These moments are tied to the film’s exploration of gun culture and the psychological tension of the protagonist’s mission, and they are designed to be jarring and uncomfortable.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents must understand that Our Hero, Balthazar is not a traditional teen comedy. It is a “wild satire” that intentionally uses offensive or graphic content to mirror the darkest corners of the internet. It tackles heavy subjects like school shootings, narcissism, and the “attention economy.” Because the film deals with a “would-be mass shooter” as a central plot point, it may be extremely triggering or inappropriate for younger viewers, despite having a teenage cast.
Is Our Hero, Balthazar Suitable for Teens?
Ages 12–14: No. The explicit sexual content, heavy language, and disturbing themes make the film inappropriate for this age group.
Ages 15–16: No. Even mature teens may struggle with the film’s graphic material and triggering subject matter.
Ages 17+: With caution. Older teens who can legally view R-rated films may still need guidance due to the film’s intense themes and unsettling tone.
Final recommendation: Our Hero, Balthazar is best suited for adult audiences.
What Parents Can Do
Because the film explores how social media influences behavior, parents of older teens (who are of age to watch R-rated content) can use the movie to discuss:
Performative Activism: Discuss the difference between genuinely helping a cause and “posting for likes.”
Digital Literacy: Talk about the dangers of “online trolls” and how easy it is to become obsessed with anonymous interactions.
Real-world Consequences: Explore how the characters’ actions in the film have serious, irreversible impacts that their social media filters cannot fix.
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Our Hero, Balthazar?
A: The film is rated R for sexual content, nudity, language, violence, and drug use.
Q: Is Our Hero, Balthazar appropriate for kids or teens?
A: No. The movie is intended for adults and is not suitable for children or most teens.
Q: Does the movie contain violent or scary scenes?
A: Yes. There is psychological tension and a disturbing grisly image tied to gun-related fears.
Q: Is there strong language or offensive dialogue?
A: Yes. Strong profanity is used throughout the entire film.
Q: Does the film include sexual content or nudity?
A: Yes. The movie features crude sexual content and graphic nudity.