Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»Movies»Star-Studded Film “The Son” Fails to Shine [Review]
    Hugh Jackman "The Son" Sony Pictures Classic
    Movies

    Star-Studded Film “The Son” Fails to Shine [Review]

    The DHKBy The DHKJanuary 23, 20233 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Wondering why you haven’t heard a ton about “The Son” in spite of a star studded cast? Unfortunately it seems that there’s a good reason for this film remaining off the awards radar. Written and directed by Florian Zeller, and based on his own stage play of the same name, the film perhaps would have been better off sticking to the boards. 

    Anthony Hopkins in “The Son” – Courtesy Sony Pictures Classics

    Zeller’s first film, “The Father,” was an emotional piece starring Anthony Hopkins as an aging man dealing with deteriorating memory. Hopkins and co-stars Olivia Colman, Imogen Poots, Olivia Williams, Rufus Sewell, and Mark Gatiss all turn in strong performances. Hopkins in fact netted an Academy Award for Best Actor in the film. 

    Listen on Apple Podcasts

    Standing in the shadow of “The Father”

    Hopkins also appears in “The Son” oh so briefly, the follow up film (and we’d like to note if Zeller’s third film ends up being called “The Holy Spirit” we’d have respect for the long bit there) is still a story of parental reckoning. This time with Hugh Jackman as a father to both a teenager and a newborn. Zen McGrath turns in a semi-robotic performance as the teenage son (though we think this may have been what he was directed to do which is its own issue) and Laura Dern plays his unfortunately one dimensional mother. Jackman’s character’s new family is with Vanessa Kirby and they are balancing having a newborn, and the teenager come to stay.

    Zen McGrath, Laura Dern, Hugh Jackman “The Son.” Photo by Rekha Garton/See-Saw Films / Sony Pictures Classics

    After slogging through a jumble of setup, “The Son” then feels like it trods into dangerous territory. The teenage character is dealing with depression and expressing himself in unhealthy ways following the divorce of his parents. From that point forward the film seems to be an instruction manual of what NOT to do with someone experiencing such a crisis. While this might be the intention of the film, it’s presented in such a way that it feels like not once did the filmmakers consult with a mental health professional. At times it feels downright exploitative. 

    Perhaps if one still saw it as a play, the element of being in the room with the actors would help mitigate the feeling of manipulation. However at the end of the day the actual writing is what turns us off this unfortunate follow up. 

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleUrban Legend Fact or Fiction: Getting 4.0 if Your Roommate Dies
    Next Article 95th Academy Awards Announces Oscars Nominations
    The DHK

    Host of We're Watching What?!

    Related Posts

    Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk” Drops its First Trailer

    May 7, 2025

    Brandy Reprises Cinderella for “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland”

    May 7, 2025

    “Practical Magic 2” Gets 2026 Release Date

    May 6, 2025

    What If Men Were Judged Like Women? This Film Hands Them a Sequin-Covered Mirror

    May 4, 2025

    “Friendship” The Funniest Movie I Couldn’t Wait to End [review]

    May 3, 2025

    “Thunderbolts*” Surprisingly Emotional Therapy Session for Anti-Heroes

    May 3, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews

    Image Background Remover: A Modern Tool for Flawless Visual Content

    May 8, 2025

    Creative Content and Interactive Experiences – Lessons from Abdulaziz bin Khalaf Al-Mutairi

    May 8, 2025

    Might Licensing Shifts for Short-Term Rentals Impact Local Housing?

    May 8, 2025

    Maximizing Your Retirement Benefits in Tennessee

    May 8, 2025

    How to Use Tetris for PTSD Recovery: A Science-Backed Guide

    May 7, 2025

    Funko Announces Price Increases Due to…Reasons

    May 6, 2025
    A Million Lives Book Festival

    Authors Lose Thousands at Failed ‘A Million Lives Book Festival’

    May 6, 2025

    Boost Your Confidence Between the Sheets Today

    May 6, 2025

    Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk” Drops its First Trailer

    May 7, 2025

    Brandy Reprises Cinderella for “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland”

    May 7, 2025

    “Practical Magic 2” Gets 2026 Release Date

    May 6, 2025

    What If Men Were Judged Like Women? This Film Hands Them a Sequin-Covered Mirror

    May 4, 2025
    "Squid Game" season 3

    Netflix’s “Squid Game” Gets 1st Trailer For Season 3

    May 6, 2025

    Jeremy Renner Explains Why He Won’t do “Hawkeye” Season 2

    May 2, 2025
    “Love, Death + Robots” Volume 4

    David Fincher Directs Red Hot Chili Peppers in “Love, Death + Robots”

    April 25, 2025

    Bill Hader Developing Jonestown Series for HBO

    April 23, 2025

    “Friendship” The Funniest Movie I Couldn’t Wait to End [review]

    May 3, 2025

    “Thunderbolts*” Surprisingly Emotional Therapy Session for Anti-Heroes

    May 3, 2025

    “Sinners” is Sexy, Boozy, Bloody, Bluesy, and Amazing [Review]

    April 18, 2025

    “The Legend of Ochi” Cute Puppets, But No Magic [Review]

    April 16, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.