The Son

A few things to know from the get-go: this 'movie' was originally a play; or rather, the third installment in a trilogy. So, technically, it wasn't intended to stand on its own as a whole. (It doesn't!) Also, The Son was written in the French language. IMO, the translation ~ from stage to screen & from its original language ~ both fail pretty miserably. The dialog feels cliche & trite. Zen's affect is either flat or over-acted. Aside from the 2 Hughs' performances, it's just painful to watch Skip it.

This film digs into the hard truth of mental health, generational/family trauma, and shows the struggles of mental health through multiple people. I put this on as something to bide the time while sewing together an outfit I was making. Needless to say, the outfit got 1 run through the sewing machine and will need to be completed another day. I would not recommend it to everyone, there is very triggering/sensitive topics, so please read up on the trigger warnings before watching.

It is a really important topic but I think it doesn’t get too deep to the illness.

Well done to Zen & Hugh for doing their best to portray a father & son trying to communicate the best way they know. Anthony played the asshole father role too well. A powerful, delicate topic! The female actors were terrible and I was very put off by each of them and the scripts they were given. I was screaming at the tv for the parents to listen to the psych ( well acted by Hugh) We knew it would end badly as soon as they dismissed how sick their son was and gave in to his wishes. Heartbreakingly sad ending.

this film genuinely believes that there was nothing anyone could have done to avoid it’s conclusion, when there was literally so much that could have been done. this is irresponsible, offensive and disrespectful. one of the few movies that i hope nobody watches. angers and saddens me that this was able to be made, without significant hesitation, in 2022.

It is not a great movie, but it does tackle an issue that needs to be addressed. My problem is the parents. They act clueless and assume there had to be trauma. I don't believe parents would be that ignorant today. I do like how it exposes self absorbed parents who put work and everything else in front of their families. That is a problem that also needs to be addressed. Not a terrible movie, but not great. I thought the teen actor did a great job.

Tough and hard familiar drama that could have benefited from a better casting in the role of the son; someone more convincing ot that at least knew how to act

As a father of a son, I found it quite moving.

The acting, script and emotions are true and spot on. Critics that want to run (hide) from the movie or believe it doesn’t display a type of mental illness and a family’s reaction to it indicates they never experienced or watched others go through the type of experience accurately portrayed in this movie.

As someone who has seen the suffering of depression first hand, this movie is spot on with the overwhelmingness of it...as well as the ignorance and dismissal of it by those close that cannot understand. Zen McGrath did an amazing job in his role!