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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Mark Herman. With Asa Butterfield, Vera Farmiga, David Thewlis.
7.8/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
When his family moves from their home in Berlin to a strange new house in Poland, young Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy who lives on the other side of the fence where everyone seems to be wearing striped pajamas. Unaware of Shmuel's fate as a Jewish prisoner or the role his own Nazi father plays in his imprisonment, Bruno embarks on a dangerous journey inside the camp's walls.
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7.8/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTWhen his family moves from their home in Berlin to a strange new house in Poland, young Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy who lives on the other side of the fence where ev…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
MoviHero lists May 7, 2008 as the release date for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Mark Herman is the listed director. The listed cast includes Asa Butterfield as Bruno, Vera Farmiga as Mother, David Thewlis as Father, Rupert Friend as Lieutenant Kotler. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateMay 7, 2008
GenresDrama · History · War
Runtime1h 34m
DirectorMark Herman
CastAsa Butterfield as Bruno, Vera Farmiga as Mother, David Thewlis as Father, Rupert Friend as Lieutenant Kotler
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas runs 1h 34m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 5/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 8/10, suggesting a stronger emotional experience. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
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Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 7.8/10 from 7,928 votes. Updated Nov 8, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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CHECK AVAILABILITY
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact8/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Not convinced this is a greatly made movie, but it sure does pack a punch!”
Viewer reaction
“Summary: 2/10: well-acted, handsomely made, and morally inverted, a film so intent on manufacturing sympathy for a commandant's family that it forgets, or worse, quietly…”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherBrunoBruno in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), played by Asa Butterfield.Open character guide otherLieutenant KotlerLieutenant Kotler in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), played by Rupert Friend.Open character guide otherPavelPavel in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), played by David Hayman.Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
7.4/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEMurderers
2026·Drama · History · War
7.4/10
MOVIHERO RATINGEnemy at the Gates
2001·History · War
7.4/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEMarguerite
2026·Drama · History