The Birthday Boy is an independent film directed by Chad Darnell and released in 2014. The movie stars Shane Hartline as Jeff, a socially awkward young man who is about to turn 30. Jeff's life is turned upside down when he discovers that his best friend Clayton (played by Matthew Cornwell) has been having an affair with his girlfriend Stephanie (played by Nora Kirkpatrick).
As Jeff tries to come to terms with the betrayal, he begins to have flashbacks of traumatic events from his childhood. This leads him on a journey of self-discovery as he tries to figure out who he is and where he's going in life.
The Birthday Boy is a dark comedy-drama that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and identity. The movie is full of quirky characters and offbeat humor, but also has moments of raw emotion and intense drama.
One of the standout performances in the movie comes from Ashley Sutton, who plays Jane, a free-spirited artist who befriends Jeff. Sutton brings a sense of warmth and authenticity to the character, and her scenes with Hartline are some of the movie's most touching.
Overall, The Birthday Boy is a well-crafted indie movie that offers a fresh perspective on the coming-of-age genre. It's not afraid to tackle heavy themes, but also knows when to inject a little levity to keep things from becoming too dark. The movie may not be for everyone, but for those willing to give it a chance, it's a rewarding and thought-provoking experience.
The Birthday Boy is a 2018 horror movie with a runtime of 11 hours.
