Netflix Crime Thriller Exposes Tragic Truth Behind Gang Violence
Hollywood has often been criticized for glorifying violence in films, leading certain social groups to view these depictions as a tacit encouragement, leading young people to commit crimes in real life. One 1991 classic crime thriller dispels this concept, by exposing the stark reality of inner city gang violence and systemic racisms true effect on impoverished black youths in the United States. The film, Boyz n the Hood, is available to stream on Netflix today.
Boyz n the Hood On Netflix
Boyz n the Hood likely needs very little introduction, as the film is a bonafide classic, especially for fans of the hip-hop music genre. The film serves as the feature film debut of writer-director John Singleton, who later went on to helm such classics as Poetic Justice, Shaft, and 2 Fast 2 Furious. More recently, Singleton created the hit FX original crime series Snowfall, which just concluded its successful six-season run in 2023.
A Stacked Cast
The film also has a fully stacked ensemble cast, including rapper Ice Cube in his first ever acting role. The former N.W.A. rapper stars alongside Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Nia Long, Angela Bassett, Morris Chestnut, John Cothran, and Lexie Bigham. Boyz n the Hood was inspired by true tales of gang violence witnessed by John Singleton in his youth, and developed as part of his application to film school.
Boyz In The Hood Story
Boyz n the Hood centers on a young man named Tre Styles, who moves in with his father in South Central, California after getting in too many fights at school. His mother fears for his future, as many young black men from their neighborhood become wrapped up in gang activity, and see it as the only way to survive in the throes of poverty. Tre’s father begins instilling life lessons in Tre and his young friends, in the hopes that he can push them to greatness, avoiding the pitfalls put into place to prevent them from escaping their environment.
Growing Up In The Hood
After two of Tre’s friends, Doughboy and Chris, become arrested for robbery, Boyz n the Hood skips forward seven years. The time jump reveals that Doughboy has become a full fledged gang member following his incarceration, while Chris is now a paraplegic bound to a wheelchair after suffering a gunshot wound.
Tre has grown into a respectable young man with dreams of going to college, while his other childhood friend, Ricky, is on track to receive a full scholarship for his illustrious high school football career.
Changing Their Lives
Despite their various paths in life, gang violence catches up with each of the kids, and changes the course of their lives when Ricky is killed just as he receives the prerequisites necessary to honor his scholarship. As Boyz n the Hood ramps up to its tragic climax, the film reveals the stark reality facing many impoverished communities within the United States even today.
Streaming Boyz In The Hood
REVIEW SCORE
The tearjerking film opened to rave reviews, and currently maintains a 96 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Today, Boyz n the Hood is rightfully viewed as a marvel of storytelling, and deserves a rating of at least 4.5 stars out of 5. The film is currently available to stream on Netflix for those who have never seen it, or for those desperately overdue for a rewatch.
