Boyhood · written by Richard Linklater · 2014

Mason and Samantha watch their parents argue outside and hope Dad will stay, then see him leave.

Scene 29 of 160 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Mason
Samantha

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 28 min into a 3:02 film

The story so farBefore scene 29

As his mother’s homes and relationships change, Mason grows from a restless child into a young photographer learning to choose his own direction before leaving for college.

Scenes 1–11
Mason’s world is a child’s local orbit of school, siblings, play, and a family not yet displaced.
Scenes 12–23
The move exposes Mason’s wish to keep his friends and stay connected to his absent father while Olivia seeks a more secure life.
Just before
Scene 26
Mason asks Dad whether he and Olivia will get back together; Dad says that is not entirely up to him.
Scene 27
Mason shows Dad his arrowheads and specimens while Samantha interrupts to share basketball photos and stories.
Scene 28
Olivia returns to find the children excited about their visit; she and Dad step outside to argue about the changed drop-off plan.
Scene 29
This scene

29INT. UPSTAIRS BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Samantha and Mason look out the window, down at their parents having an argument below.

MASON

Do you think he's gonna spend the

night?

SAMANTHA (O.S.)

Doesn't look like it.

Mom walks away from Dad. He stands there for a beat, then saunters off. The kids are visibly disappointed.