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Biographical documentary

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (2021): Cast & Ratings

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (2021) movie poster

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World is a 2021 biographical documentary directed by Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindström, starring Björn Andrésen, Melanie Hubert and Riyoko Ikeda. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $10,443 worldwide. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor at the Critics' Choice 2019. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
worldwide gross
$10.4K
award nominations
3
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The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Most Beautiful Boy in the World About?

The premise of The Most Beautiful Boy in the World without spoilers.

This documentary explores the life of Björn Andrésen, who achieved international fame as "the most beautiful boy in the world" after starring in Luchino Visconti's 1971 film, Death in Venice. The film examines the peaks and valleys of Andrésen's journey, offering reflections on a career shaped by glamour, stardom, and the lasting impact of that iconic role. It reveals the challenges and complexities of navigating life under the intense scrutiny of global fame over five decades.

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Themes & Keywords

· 47 tags
  • beach
  • death in venice
  • exploitation
  • old man
  • japan
  • scandinavia
  • teensploitation
  • child star
  • venice italy
  • pop idol
  • teen actor
  • celebrity
+35 more
  • orphan
  • loss of mother
  • trauma
  • fatherless son
  • family relationships
  • dysfunctional family
  • sweden
  • italy
  • cannes film festival
  • child labour
  • sexual harassment
  • japanese idol
  • bishounen
  • manga
  • lady oscar character
  • paris france
  • actor
  • musician
  • loss of a child
  • depression
  • father daughter relationship
  • shyness
  • sensitivity
  • loneliness
  • physical beauty
  • film industry
  • love
  • 1970s
  • 20th century
  • 21st century
  • 2010s
  • 1980s
  • death of mother
  • eastern europe
  • eastern scandinavia
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Cast & crew

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Cast

Björn Andrésen leads the cast, with Melanie Hubert and Riyoko Ikeda. Directed by Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindström; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Most Beautiful Boy in the World

· 7 more
From the directors

More from Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindström

More films directed by Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindström: Feature 136, Astrid, Palme and Bad Faith.

Ratings

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Most Beautiful Boy in the World 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (58).

69 /100

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Echo Score Breakdown

The documentary offers a thoughtful look at the rise and fall of a child star, balancing moments of visual subtlety with a sometimes uneven narrative structure. Critics note the film’s ability to convey emotional weight and industry critique, yet its pacing and thematic focus can feel diffuse. The overall impression is that the work succeeds in its intent but falls short of a consistently compelling viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of direction and visual style, the film presents an impressionistic, understated palette that some reviewers find evocative. However, several critics point to a lack of cohesive editing and vague artistic focus, which weakens its overall craft. The net result is a moderately crafted work that shows artistic ambition but does not fully realize it.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character depth, the documentary captures the emotional resonance of its subject, highlighting his lingering impact and personal determination. Performances and archival material are praised for conveying nuance, though occasional narrative gaps reduce full immersion. Overall, the film delivers a nuanced portrayal that largely succeeds in eliciting empathy.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding plot and pacing, the documentary balances a compelling rise‑and‑fall arc with moments that feel repetitive or under‑developed. Critics note the story’s originality yet cite diffuse pacing and a lack of conclusive thematic resolution. Consequently, the narrative engages but does not maintain consistent momentum throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the film employs a subtle visual approach that some reviewers find appealing, while others remark on limited sound design and soundtrack impact. The modest auditory and visual choices support the tone but do not elevate the sensory immersion. Overall, the sensory layer is adequate but not striking.

  • Rewatch Factor 58

    As for rewatch value, the documentary offers insightful moments that may reward repeat viewings, particularly for those interested in industry critique. Nonetheless, its uneven pacing and occasional thematic redundancy reduce its long‑term appeal. The film holds modest replay potential, especially for niche audiences.

Box office

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Box Office

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World grossed $10,443 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.4K

International
$10.4K
Awards

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Awards & Nominations

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World earned 3 award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor at the Critics' Choice 2019. The 3 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.

3 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 1 trailer and 5 featurettes.

All 6 videos
Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Featurette Reflecting on Björn Andrésen
  • Featurette Reading the Ending
  • Featurette Power Dynamics
  • Featurette Objectification
Details

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Maailma kõige ilusam poiss” and “Der schönste Junge der Welt - Björn Andrésen - Viscontis blonder Engel”.

Also known as
  • Maailma kõige ilusam poiss
  • Der schönste Junge der Welt - Björn Andrésen - Viscontis blonder Engel
  • Fallegasti drengur í heimi
  • Pasaulē skaistākais zēns
  • Самый красивый мальчик в мире
  • 세상에서 가장 아름다운 소년
  • El chico más bello del mundo
  • Il ragazzo più bello del mondo
  • 世界第一美少年
  • Der schönste Junge der Welt
  • L'ange blond de Visconti
  • Verdens vakreste gutt
+6 more
  • Najpiękniejszy chłopiec na świecie
  • Nejkrásnější chlapec na světě
  • 世界で一番美しい少年
  • Το Πιο Όμορφο Αγόρι Του Κόσμου
  • O Rapaz Mais Belo do Mundo
  • O Garoto Mais Bonito do Mundo

Seen The Most Beautiful Boy in the World?

FAQ

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Most Beautiful Boy in the World, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Most Beautiful Boy in the World?

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was The Most Beautiful Boy in the World released?

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World was released on September 24, 2021.

Who directed The Most Beautiful Boy in the World?

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World was directed by Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindström.

More films by Kristian Petri

Who is in the cast of The Most Beautiful Boy in the World?

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World stars Björn Andrésen, Melanie Hubert and Riyoko Ikeda, among 11 credited actors.

How much did The Most Beautiful Boy in the World make at the box office?

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World grossed $10,443 worldwide.

How is The Most Beautiful Boy in the World rated?

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Was The Most Beautiful Boy in the World nominated for any awards?

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World received 3 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

Does The Most Beautiful Boy in the World have a post-credit scene?

No. The Most Beautiful Boy in the World has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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