Luke Curley
When Eli is betrayed by his only friends, he must turn to his imaginary mentor and 80's wrestling superstar, Ray Violence, for advice on how to get his revenge...
‘My Poor Boy’ is a darkly offbeat and quietly heartbreaking story about a lonely boy named Eli, who finds meaning in his imaginary friendship with macho wrestler, Ray Violence. Eli is what happens when someone vulnerable is left alone with the wrong voices for too long. The film explores misguided masculinity, fantasy as coping, and father-son relationships. I’ve always been interested in how men process shame, especially online. The character of Ray Violence came from that, this exaggerated, outdated idea of masculinity that feels ridiculous but also really dangerous when internalised. I’m drawn to stories that are absurd yet personal, that blend humour and a human vulnerability. Eli can be ridiculous at times, but there’s a tenderness there that I think is important to sit with. This film was important to me as the kind of voice Eli listens to in this film isn’t fictional. Really, it’s everywhere now, and I wanted to explore what happens when it goes unchallenged by a boy who is truly good, but easily influenced…
I also worked as the sound designer for Cage (dir. Eva Peto), a dark thriller that explores the psychological trauma of its protagonist. My approach focused on creating an immersive experience that draws the audience into the character’s overwhelming internal world.
Luke Curley is an emerging director based in Leitrim/Dublin. He focuses on offbeat, character-driven dramas that often use humour to explore family, masculinity, and vulnerability. His films are defined by heightened performances, bold visual styles, and a sense of unpredictability, balanced with a sincerity. He is particularly interested in characters caught between competing influences, often navigating their identity through performance and fantasy. His credits include the short films My Poor Boy (2026) and Road to Nowhere (2025).
