Netflix viewers have just days to watch ‘devastating’ movie with shocking twist

A ‘devastating’ movie based on a best-selling book is being removed from Netflix soon (Picture: Moviestore/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

A ‘haunting and moving’ war film that left viewers blindsided with its ending is only available to watch on Netflix for a few more days.

Based on John Boyne’s novel of the same name, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was released in 2008.

The film was set in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War Two and followed two young boys who form a friendship – the son of a German SS officer and a Jewish boy.

It starred Asa Butterfield as Bruno, whose family moves from Berlin to the Polish countryside for his father’s work, with his parents played by David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga.

Soon after arriving, he notices what he believes to be a farm nearby – but it is in fact a concentration camp.

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Banned from ever venturing beyond their back garden, Bruno eventually becomes bored and sets off into the woods, eventually coming across another boy his age – Schmuel (Jack Scanlon).

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas starred Asa Butterfield as the son of an SS officer (Picture: Heyday/ Kobal/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

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He then regularly visits his new friend and sneaks him food before learning how he is Jewish and is being kept inside the camp. After a series of events that sees Bruno’s family at odds over Nazi propaganda, he turns to his friend but is then caught up in a devastating mix-up.

The film was acclaimed by both critics and audiences alike. In its review Empire Magazine said the movie was ‘a powerfully affecting and unusual view of the Holocaust’.

‘Despite moments of improbable whimsy, this is a hugely affecting film. Important, too. It engages with the complexity of the Holocaust in a language that can move children as profoundly as adults,’ The Times wrote.

‘See it at all costs. It is both wonderful and devastating,’ The Observer added.

A friendship with Schmuel – a Jewish boy being kept in a concentration camp – leads to devastating consequences (Picture: Heyday/ Kobal/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

Meanwhile, viewers said it was ‘haunting and moving’ and an ‘absolute must-see’ that had left them ‘in tears’.

However, fans of the film – or those who haven’t yet watched it – only have a few days left to do so, with Netflix set to remove it on March 15.

Many have encouraged others not to miss out, with one posting on X: ‘Rewatched this classic last night after many years. An emotional, moving story based on the Holocaust tragedy. A movie that will certainly leave you with teary eyes in the end.’

Although a film follow-up has not been made, in 2022 the book sequel All the Broken Places was released. It focused on the post-war life of Gretel, the now 91-year-old older sister of Bruno.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is being removed from Netflix on March 15.

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