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Directed by Paolo Strippoli

The Holy Boy

La valle dei sorrisi

An atmospheric, acclaimed horror.

Horror
Thriller
Drama
2025
2h 2m

A PE teacher moves to a isolated mountain village where the people appear to live in unshakeable serenity, but soon stumbles across a disturbing ritual. Once a week, the locals are freed of their pain by a lonely boy born with the power to heal one's soul just by hugging them. Trying to rescue him from this madness, the man unleashes his dark side.

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The Holy Boy

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Cast & crew

6

What people say

JessePnkmn4.0

Can’t believe I actually watched a good recent italian horror movie Unnecessary out of context spoiler: Jannik Sinner is on fire

diocletianvs_4.5

La parte spaventosa è che il protagonista ha più di quarant'anni e prende ancora le supplenze brevi

Martymoli4.5

La moneta da un euro la nuova pesca

Common questions
What is The Holy Boy about?+

A physical education teacher relocates to a secluded mountain village and discovers a ritual where a boy with supernatural healing abilities is exploited by the community to process their grief.

Who directed The Holy Boy?+

The film is directed by Italian filmmaker Paolo Strippoli, known for his work in genre cinema, and premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.

Has The Holy Boy won any awards?+

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received multiple nominations for its cinematography and directing at various European film festivals.

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