Call Boy (2018)
A provocative Japanese drama about a directionless young man who finds unexpected purpose in the world of an exclusive host bar.
Call Boy - Movie Information
- Original Title: 娼年
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Daisuke Miura
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 59m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 6, 2018 (Japan - R18), August 29, 2018 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: Shounen (JP)
- Production Companies: Phantom Film, Shueisha, Horipro, Happinet
- Production Countries: Japan
Call Boy - Plot
Ryo Morinaka is a university student and works part-time at a bar. He is bored with his daily life and exists in a state of torpor. One day, his friend Shinya Tajima brings the owner of a host bar over to the place where Ryo Morinaka works. Shizuka Mido is the owner of the host bar. Soon, Ryo Morinaka begins to work for Shizuka Mido at the members only host bar. He feels embarrassment initially, but he fulfills the desires of women and develops a sense of purpose.
Call Boy - Trailer
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Where to Watch Call Boy
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Call Boy - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Daisuke Miura
Main Cast
- Tori Matsuzaka
- Sei Matobu
- Ami Tomite
- Yuki Sakurai
- Kenta Izuka
- Yu Koyanagi
- Erika Mabuchi
- Kokone Sasaki
- Ruri Shinato
- Tokuma Nishioka
Writers
- Daisuke Miura
Producers
- Ishida Mai
- Masayoshi Yamanobe
- Tsutomu Fujiwara
- Yoshihiro Nagata
Call Boy - FAQs
Where can you watch Call Boy online?
Call Boy is available to stream on select platforms depending on your region. You can check current streaming availability, rental, and purchase options across all major services by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date viewing options for the film in your country.
Is Call Boy based on a novel or book?
Yes, Call Boy is adapted from the novel Shounen (娼年) by Ryu Murakami, a provocative Japanese author known for exploring transgressive themes. Director Daisuke Miura also wrote the screenplay, adapting Murakami's story of male prostitution and self-discovery for the screen.
Who are the main actors in Call Boy?
Call Boy stars Tori Matsuzaka as the lead Ryo Morinaka, alongside Sei Matobu as host bar owner Shizuka Mido, Ami Tomite as Sakura, Yuki Sakurai as Megumi Shirasaki, and Yu Koyanagi as Shinya Tajima, among others in the ensemble cast.
What is Call Boy about?
Call Boy follows Ryo Morinaka, a listless university student working at a bar, who is recruited into an exclusive, members-only host bar catering to women. Initially embarrassed, he gradually discovers a sense of identity and purpose through intimate encounters, exploring themes of desire, identity, and human connection.
What is the age rating for Call Boy?
Call Boy is rated NR (Not Rated) in the United States. However, the film carries an R18 rating in Japan and a 19+ rating in South Korea, reflecting its explicit adult content involving sexual themes, male prostitution, and mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Who directed Call Boy and also wrote the script?
Call Boy was both directed and written by Daisuke Miura, a Japanese filmmaker and playwright known for his unflinching portrayals of human sexuality and social alienation. Miura adapted the screenplay from Ryu Murakami's novel, bringing his distinctive theatrical sensibility to the material.
How long is Call Boy and when was it released?
Call Boy has a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes (119 minutes). The film was originally released in Japan on April 6, 2018, with an R18 classification, followed by a South Korean release on August 29, 2018, and a US release on February 23, 2023.
What themes does Call Boy explore?
Call Boy delves into themes of male sexuality, self-discovery, and social alienation. Drawing on its source novel, the film examines unrequited love, older woman and younger man dynamics, BDSM, the sex industry, and an Oedipus complex, presenting a nuanced portrait of desire and identity in contemporary Japan.
More About Call Boy
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