The film tells a story of a divorced couple trying to raise their young son. The story follows the boy for twelve years, from first grade at age 6 through 12th grade at age 17-18, and examines his relationship with his parents as he grows.

Epic in technical scale but breathlessly intimate in narrative scope, Boyhood is a sprawling investigation of the human condition.

'Boyhood' is a groundbreaking cinematic achievement, praising its unprecedented originality in filming over 12 years and its ambitious scope as a labor of love. Linklater's directorial vision and the film's authentic portrayal of human experience resonated deeply, with strong performances from Arquette and Hawke. However, opinions divided on engagement level and writing quality—some found the naturalistic approach boring and uneventful, while others considered it captivating. The film's realism proves either profoundly relatable or insufficiently dramatic depending on viewer preferences.