Boys (Jongens, 2014) is a beautifully understated Dutch film that captures the emotional highs and lows of teenage self-discovery. Set against a backdrop of suburban summer days, relay training, and lakeside sunsets, the story follows 15-year-old Sieger as he begins to explore his feelings for his teammate Marc. With a lyrical visual style and gentle narrative rhythm, Boys reminds us how vulnerable—and transformative—first love can be.
Boys Official Trailer
Boys Summary | |
|---|---|
| Title: | After School |
| Series Info: | China (2023) |
| Length: | 118 minutes |
| Is After School BL? | Yes, there's a BL romance. |
| Genre: | Drama, Boy's love |
Plot
In the sun-drenched suburbs of the Netherlands, 15-year-old Sieger (Gijs Blom) is a reserved, soft-spoken teenager who has just been selected for his school’s relay team. As summer unfolds, he trains with his teammates for a national competition. Among them is Marc (Ko Zandvliet), whose playful presence and quiet intensity awaken something unexpected in Sieger. What starts as camaraderie soon turns into longing. A kiss by the lake—tender, confused, and fleeting—marks the beginning of Sieger’s journey toward self-awareness and emotional honesty.
As Sieger grapples with his emerging feelings for Marc, he also navigates the expectations of his traditionally masculine household: a disengaged father, a rebellious older brother, and a burgeoning relationship with a girl named Jessica. In a world where everyone seems to move naturally into heterosexual romance, Sieger is left questioning himself. What does it mean to like someone when you’re not even sure what “normal” is?
The film is quiet but emotionally potent, capturing the subtleties of adolescence through lingering gazes, awkward silences, and unspoken desires. There’s no dramatic coming out, no tragedy—only a boy figuring out who he is, one skipped heartbeat at a time.
Boys Cast
Charactor
A quiet and athletic 15-year-old caught between societal expectations and personal truth.
Gijs Blom
Gijs Blom is a Dutch actor who gained acclaim for his mature and introspective performance in Boys. He later appeared in The Forgotten Battle (2020), further solidifying his range and screen presence.
Sieger’s warm-hearted teammate whose gentle confidence and emotional availability make him unforgettable.
Ko Zandvliet
Ko Zandvliet, also a musician, brings natural charm and sensitivity to his role as Marc. His portrayal adds emotional weight and balance to the story’s romantic thread.
Director
Mischa Kamp
Directed by Mischa Kamp, Boys began as a modest made-for-TV movie, yet became a global sleeper hit in the LGBTQ+ film festival circuit. Kamp is a Dutch filmmaker known for her sensitive direction in youth and family films. Her previous works include Het paard van Sinterklaas and LelleBelle, but it’s with Boys that she earned a dedicated following in queer cinema. Her gift lies in drawing intimate, honest performances from young actors and letting silence speak as powerfully as words.
Boys Review
Review
Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
The narrative is delicate and familiar, treading gently through well-known queer coming-of-age territory. What makes Boys shine is its restraint. There’s no melodrama—just genuine moments of teenage confusion, yearning, and discovery.
Acting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Gijs Blom delivers a beautifully internal performance as Sieger, capturing every flicker of hesitation and every conflicted smile. Ko Zandvliet’s Marc is the kind of boy you’d fall for instantly—open, kind, and quietly magnetic. Their chemistry is heartfelt and painfully believable.
Chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Few queer films have captured the hesitant, unspoken intimacy of first love this effectively. From glances across locker rooms to hands brushing in water, every moment between Sieger and Marc is filled with suppressed emotion and tentative joy.
Production ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Despite being a made-for-TV film, the cinematography is unexpectedly gorgeous. Natural lighting, soft focus, and sparse dialogue let the visuals do the emotional heavy lifting. The use of nature—especially water and open roads—mirrors the characters’ emotional states.
Ending ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
The final scenes are subtle but deeply moving. Sieger doesn’t come out to his father or brother, but he does embrace his feelings. When he rides away on the motorcycle, Marc clinging behind him, it’s not a triumphant declaration—it’s a quiet victory of choosing love over fear.
Boys Information
Awards
Inspired by the life and work of late documentary filmmaker Chen Junzhi, a pioneer in Taiwan’s LGBTQ+ activism.
Where to Watch
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