The Review
“Son,” a 2021 horror thriller directed by Ivan Kavanagh, delves into the dark corners of maternal love and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. The film stars Andi Matichak as Laura, a single mother who escaped a religious cult and is now faced with her son David’s mysterious illness. As David’s condition worsens, Laura must confront the possibility that her past is catching up with her, and the reality of what her son may be becoming.
The narrative of “Son” is gripping, as it combines the psychological tension of a mother’s desperation with the unsettling elements of body horror. Luke David Blumm delivers a haunting performance as David, whose transformation throughout the film keeps the audience on edge. Emile Hirsch’s portrayal of Paul, the detective drawn into their plight, adds a layer of complexity to the story, as he grapples with his feelings towards Laura and the bizarre circumstances unfolding before him.
Kavanagh’s direction ensures that “Son” is more than just a collection of horror tropes. The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension to build and the characters’ depth to emerge. The cinematography complements the storytelling, with its use of shadow and light reflecting the duality of the characters’ inner turmoil.
One of the film’s strengths is its ability to maintain ambiguity, leaving viewers questioning the nature of David’s illness and Laura’s sanity. The horror elements are well-executed, with enough gore to satisfy genre enthusiasts but not so much as to overshadow the emotional core of the film.
However, “Son” is not without its flaws. Some critics have pointed out that the movie could have delved deeper into the cult’s backstory and Laura’s past. Additionally, the film occasionally falls back on familiar horror conventions, which may detract from its originality for some viewers.
Ending Explained (Spoiler Alert!)
In the end, the question remains: Is the mother insane and delusional, or is she telling the truth?
The final scene seems to explain everything. The detective meets with her son at the hospital, begins to feed him his own flesh, and declares his protection. Ultimately, he introduces the boy to his real father, who is the devil himself.
The shocking twist reveals that the detective is a member of the cult she belonged to and was assigned to watch over the boy and protect him because the boy is extraordinary, being half-human and half-devil. The mother had been truthful all along.
Looking back, everything falls into place. The opening scene shows her escape from a cult, with cult members in pursuit. She was pregnant then and did not want her child to be born, knowing it wasn’t fully human. As the child grows, her fear for her life persists, aware that the cult is still after her. She is also seen repeatedly checking her child for any signs of fangs, horns, or other anomalies.
In the Nutshell
“Son” is a thought-provoking horror film that explores the extremes of parental love and the horrors that can arise from it. It’s a compelling watch for those who appreciate a blend of psychological drama and supernatural terror. While it may not redefine the genre, it stands as a solid entry that should not be overlooked by horror fans. [4 out of 5 stars]
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Genre: Supernatural Horror
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