Netflix viewers left in tears after watching 'heartbreaking' true story Big Boys Don't Cry

Netflix fans have taken to social media to praise a new, emotional film on the platform that's left them in tears.

Big Boys Don't Cry is a 2020 film that hit the streaming platform on 23 December and explores the abuse that took place at St Leonard's children's home in Essex. Watch the trailer below:

Loosely based on real events, it follows the life of Paul Connolly, a real man who was abandoned as a baby in a bin when he was just two weeks old.

He went on to find himself at the now-notorious children's home, which operated from 1965 until its closure in 1984.

The film's synopsis reads: "A young man who grew up in an abusive children's home must revisit his turbulent past after his boyhood friend's death triggers a police investigation."

It stars Michael Socha (This is England) as Paul and Mitchell Norman, who plays the character's younger self.

Viewers of the film have now been taking to social media to praise the emotional watch, with one writing in the Facebook group Netflix Bangers: "Just watched Big Boys Don't Cry.

"So good yet heartbreaking."

"It was," agreed a second viewer, who added: "I posted on my FB page and a friend said completely true it was about her dad's brother.

"I so hope these sickos have a hard life."

YouTube

One viewer shared on Twitter: "Big Boys Don't Cry on Netflix has broken my heart and made me so angry at the same time."

"Everyone [should] watch Big Boys Don't Cry which is now on [Netflix]," tweeted a second viewer.

"It's a good reminder that children are so vulnerable to abuse & we [should] never stop shouting about abuse, whether articles, podcasts, or movies. Survivor Stories must be heard!"

"Jesus, just watched Big Boys Don't Cry on Netflix. What a horrific story, so hard to watch," shared a third.

"I can't get my head around what those boys went through. I can't get around how adults can do anything like that to any child. Deserves the worst punishments."

More than 3,000 children lived at the home through the years and many of them were physically and sexually abused.

Netflix

The home was reportedly well-equipped to be a 'potential' paradise for children, complete with its own swimming pool, gym and hospital.

But it was more of a nightmare, with Seamus Carroll, a former resident who lived there with his brothers, stating: "It was potentially idyllic.

"We always said, when we were growing up, it would be a wonderful place to be - if it weren't for the staff, that is."