The Son

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The Son

PG-13

Released Nov 25, 2022

2h 4m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

28%

Tomatometer

183 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A cautionary tale that follows a family as it struggles to reunite after falling apart. THE SON centers on Peter (Hugh Jackman), whose hectic life with his infant and new partner Beth (Vanessa Kirby) is upended when his ex-wife Kate (Laura Dern) appears at his door to discuss their son Nicholas (Zen McGrath), who is now a teenager. The young man has been missing school for months and is deeply troubled. Peter strives to take care of Nicholas as he would have wanted his own father (Anthony Hopkins) to have taken care of him while juggling his and Beth's new son, and at work an offer of a dream position in Washington. However, by reaching for the past to correct its mistakes, he loses sight of how to hold onto Nicholas in the present.

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Critics Consensus

Despite reliably solid work from Laura Dern and Hugh Jackman, The Son remains mired in off-puttingly aggressive melodrama.

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Audience Says

The Son does a fairly admirable job of handling some tough subject matter, although the way the characters are written may take some viewers out of the story.

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Zeller's too smart to make a truly "bad" movie, and there are some interesting ideas here... But the messaging is so blunt, and the narrative descent so predictable, it leaves little room for actual emotional engagement.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 10, 2023

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Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

A badly misjudged melodrama, this domestic tale is bogged down in heavy handed histrionics and sentimental notes that makes you want to run away.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 20, 2023

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Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

There are no ill intentions behind The Son, but sometimes stories are so badly judged and naive in their execution that they turn ugly.

Rated: 1/5

Feb 18, 2023

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Yasmine Kandil

Discussing Film

Florian Zeller’s second feature lacks the psychological depth that its predecessor wholeheartedly possesses

Jul 17, 2024

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Calum Cooper

In Their Own League

“The Son” is an awful movie. One of the year’s worst. Rarely has a film missed the mark of its thematic or filmmaking potential so spectacularly.

Rated: 1/5

Jul 15, 2024

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Paul Klein

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

It may prove to be a little too divisive for the acclaim that Zeller's previous film got but as a showcase for Mr Jackman it's a fine addition to the filmography that will linger in the memory for a while.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 5, 2024

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T. Christian

Very serious film, delving into generational trauma, depression, and suicide. Solid performances, but will not leave you feeling lighthearted.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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JULIA M

Great honest movie about mental health, how serious it is. Good reminder to all of us. Outstanding actors and acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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michael p

This show will bring out the emotions that life's experiences may have already touched your personal life . This is a movie that will leave you thinking one thing one minute and asking yourself, " What ? ." the next minute ! Not for everyone but my wife and I liked it alot and discussed the movie all the way home.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Susie

Great acting, interesting story about mental health issues, the problems that children and parents go through, and how extra martial affairs and divorce can have devastating effects on all family members.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Adam

Great acting but very depressing

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Harvey W

Heartwarming and moving movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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Florian Zeller

Director

Hugh Jackman

Peter

Laura Dern

Kate

Anthony Hopkins

Actor

Vanessa Kirby

Emma

William Hope

Actor

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The Son: Trailer 1

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The Son: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

A cautionary tale that follows a family as it struggles to reunite after falling apart. THE SON centers on Peter (Hugh Jackman), whose hectic life with his infant and new partner Beth (Vanessa Kirby) is upended when his ex-wife Kate (Laura Dern) appears at his door to discuss their son Nicholas (Zen McGrath), who is now a teenager. The young man has been missing school for months and is deeply troubled. Peter strives to take care of Nicholas as he would have wanted his own father (Anthony Hopkins) to have taken care of him while juggling his and Beth's new son, and at work an offer of a dream position in Washington. However, by reaching for the past to correct its mistakes, he loses sight of how to hold onto Nicholas in the present.

Director: Florian Zeller
Producer: Iain Canning, Joanna Laurie, Karl Hartman, Emile Sherman, Christophe Spadone, Florian Zeller
Screenwriter: Florian Zeller, Christopher Hampton
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Neddy Dean Productions, Film4, See-Saw Films, Embankment Films, Orange Studio, Ciné@, Ingenious Media
Rating: PG-13 (Strong Language|Mature Thematic Content|Suicide)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2022, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 2023
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $449.6K
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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