The Son

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/the-son-spoiler-free-review-lff-2022

"The Son is an emotionally devastating film with a shocking yet important cautionary message for all parents.

A gradually sadder, depressing, frustrating story that grips the audience through its tension-filled dialogue, but the lack of something new and impactful directly about those primarily affected by mental health issues could be an uncomfortable trigger for many viewers.

Hugh Jackman stands out with one of the best performances of his career in a genuinely powerful, tear-inducing display. Florian Zeller's movie will get an understandably divisive reception, but I definitely consider it a must-watch flick."

Rating: B+

Despite more experienced and lauded stars, this film only really belongs to the young Australian Zen McGrath in the title role. He is "Nicholas", a young man who lives with his divorcee mother (Laura Dern) while his father (Hugh Jackman) has a new family with "Beth" (Vanessa Kirby) and baby "Theo". His mother reaches the end of her tether when it transpires that the young man has been skipping school. She feels genuinely intimidated by him and so a move to dad's is soon on the cards. Settling in ok? Going to a new school? Well that's when we begin to spot signs that this lad has problems. Signs of self harm ring alarm bells and indicate a spiralling descent for "Nicholas" that perhaps only his father can arrest? The story is interesting, bu...