What happens when 1,000 teenage boys try to build a government from scratch, in Texas? This doc is a Lord of the Flies-style crash course in American democracy.
Spoiler: the guy who lies about being pro-life to win votes gets a standing ovation.
Trailer for “Boys State”
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Ben Feinstein, a bilateral amputee and self-proclaimed “Reagan Republican,” runs one of the savviest and most cutthroat campaigns in the doc. He even launches attack ads.
- One candidate lies about being pro-life—just to win votes. And he’s not the only one adjusting their values for power.
- René Otero is accused of not being “Texan enough” during the campaign. He’s actually from Chicago—but wins his party chair anyway, despite racist whisper campaigns.
- The whole process mirrors real elections so much that it backs up Radley Tusk’s line: “The one thing a politician cares about more than anything is getting elected.”
Watch “Boys State”
You can watch “Boys State” on Apple TV+ (the link is here: JustWatch).
Ratings:
- My Rating: 99/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 91/100 (Users); 95/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, this 109-minute doc follows in the tradition of vérité-style films. They also directed “The Mission” and “Girls State.”
Release Date: January 24, 2020 (Sundance); August 14, 2020 (Apple TV+)
My Review of “Boys State”
The Setup
The American Legion’s Boys State is a real political bootcamp for high schoolers. This film drops you into the 2018 Texas session, where 1,100 boys build a mock government from scratch—forming parties, debating bills, and running for office.
The doc zeroes in on a few standout characters: Steven Garza, a progressive son of immigrants; Ben Feinstein, a double-amputee and hardcore political strategist; Robert MacDougall, a Reagan-loving charmer; and René Otero, a black Chicago transplant who brings order to chaos—and becomes a lightning rod in the process.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The boys form two made-up parties: the Nationalists and the Federalists. But party lines get drawn fast and hard.
- Steven Garza gives a heartfelt speech about gun control and gets booed. Then wins his primary. Then gets booed louder. It’s raw.
- Robert MacDougall jokes about secession and fakes being hard-right. But his performance wins over conservative voters.
- One party nearly implodes over a controversial resolution involving pineapple on pizza. That’s not a joke.
- René becomes a unifier—until someone digs into his Instagram for ammo.
Cameos – Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Ben Feinstein’s campaign materials included memes, attack ads, and opposition research—run like a real PAC.
- Steven Garza had previously organized a March for Our Lives rally in Houston. That backstory is barely mentioned but crucial.
- René Otero used parliamentary procedure like a chess master. Even his critics admitted he was the best speaker in the room.
Wrap Up
“Boys State” is a terrifyingly honest look at how early political instincts take shape. It’ll make you smarter about American politics—but probably not more hopeful.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc