A young boy uncovers a dark secret in the trailer for The Book of Henry

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

One should never underestimate the intelligence or curiosity of children. Several of them are much sharper than you'd be willing to give them credit for, and their penchant for wanting to play detective might get you in a spot of trouble if you're not careful about properly veiling your misdeeds. Take Henry for example, he's not just your average 11-year-old. In fact, he's probably got his life together more so than I do. I can tell simply by watching the trailer posted below:

THE BOOK OF HENRY is a drama that takes place in a small suburban town where the Carpenter family lives. In the film, a single, rural mother named Susan Carpenter (Naomi Watts) works as a waitress at a diner, alongside feisty family friend Sheila (Sarah Silverman). Her younger son Peter (Jacob Tremblay) is a playful 8-year-old. Taking care of everyone and everything in his own unique way is Susan’s older son Henry (Jaeden Lieberher), age 11. Protector to his adoring younger brother and tireless supporter of his often self-doubting mother – and, through investments, of the family as a whole – Henry blazes through the days like a comet. Susan discovers that the family next door, which includes Henry’s kind classmate Christina (Maddie Ziegler of Sia music video fame), has a dangerous secret – and that Henry has devised a surprising plan to help. As his brainstormed rescue plan for Christina takes shape in thrilling ways, Susan finds herself at the center of it.

Directed by Collin Trevorrow (JURASSIC WORLD, SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED) and written by Gregg Hurwitz, THE BOOK OF HENRY looks to deliver a small town crime thriller built around the subjects of abuse and secrecy. There's definitely a bit of 80s nostalgia at work here, and plenty of evidence that Trevorrow is returning to his whimsical indie roots. Personally, I'm elated to see Maddie Ziegler get her chance to shine as I've been enjoying her musical performance art collaborations with the pop star Sia for several years and have been waiting for her hit the scene on a much larger scale. 

THE BOOK OF HENRY stars Naomi Watts, Lee Pace, Jacob Tremblay, Sarah Silverman, Maddie Ziegler and Dean Norris. I will assuredly be in line for this one when the film opens on June 16, 2017.