Overview
A man raised in isolation discovers the chaotic world outside, leading to unexpected adventures and revelations.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- shocking
- grotesque
- irreverent
- cult movie night
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an audacious, highly original, fast-paced Australian milestone powered by Nicholas Hope's extraordinary performance, while some find its final act clumsy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bubby's sheltered perspective shapes how the outside world, language, religion, and social behavior are presented.
Incest, abuse, blasphemy, bodily danger, and absurd encounters are framed through an unstable mixture of shock and dark humor.
The film famously uses 32 different cinematographers and subjective camera rigs to render Bubby's perception of people and spaces.
After lifelong confinement, Bubby encounters work, strangers, religion, sexuality, violence, and community as a radically inexperienced outsider.
Films like Bad Boy Bubby, and why
Eraserhead
shares audacious outsider perspective, grotesque dark comedy, and unsettling psychological intensity
Naked
shares provocative coming-of-age through social marginality, abrasive humor, and emotional unpredictability
The Elephant Man
shares transgressive surrealism, outsider protagonists, and grotesque comic discomfort
Movie Details
- Director
- Rolf de Heer
- Release Date
- 1993-09-01
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (321)
Cast
- Nicholas Hope
- Ralph Cotterill
- Claire Benito
- Syd Brisbane
- Ullie Birvé
- Natalie Carr
- Celine O'Leary
- Carmel Johnson
- Grant Piro
- Audine Leith
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Midnight Pulp
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bad Boy Bubby about?
- A profoundly sheltered man escapes an abusive home and discovers society through a bizarre, shocking, darkly comic odyssey.
- What is Bad Boy Bubby like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bad Boy Bubby as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Bad Boy Bubby violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Bad Boy Bubby as moderate.
- What did critics think of Bad Boy Bubby?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an audacious, highly original, fast-paced Australian milestone powered by Nicholas Hope's extraordinary performance, while some find its final act clumsy.
- Which films are like Bad Boy Bubby?
- Films with a similar feel include Eraserhead, Naked, and The Elephant Man.
- How long is Bad Boy Bubby?
- Bad Boy Bubby runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bad Boy Bubby?
- In United States, Bad Boy Bubby streams on Philo, Midnight Pulp.
