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Drama thriller

My Son (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

My Son (2019) movie poster

My Son is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Christian Carion, starring Guillaume Canet as Julien Perrin, Mélanie Laurent and Christophe Rossignon. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes. Critics gave it 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
60%
Echo Score
64
Metascore
54
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My Son (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 24m (84 min)
Director
Christian Carion
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is My Son About?

The premise of My Son without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a small town in eastern France, panic arises when a seven-year-old boy disappears. His father, Julien, returns home, burdened by the guilt of abandoning his family. Driven by desperation, he embarks on a relentless search for his son, employing increasingly unorthodox and questionable methods in his determination to find him.

My Son Themes & Keywords

· 15 tags
  • scotland
  • kidnapping
  • remake by original director
  • missing child
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • divorce
  • kidnapped boy
  • child kidnapping
  • two word title
  • little boy
  • campsite
  • torture
+3 more
  • drone
  • parents
  • pedophilia
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Cast & crew

My Son Cast & Characters

Guillaume Canet leads the cast as Julien Perrin, with Mélanie Laurent as Marie Blanchard and Christophe Rossignon as Directeur Centre de loisirs. Directed by Christian Carion; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in My Son

· 6 more
From the director

More from Christian Carion

More films directed by Christian Carion, best-rated first: Driving Madeleine, Merry Christmas, Farewell and One Swallow Brought Spring.

Full filmography
Ratings

My Son Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave My Son 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

64 /100

My Son Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s main strength is its measured realism and committed performances, yet its narrative clarity remains inconsistent. Critics and viewers alike noted the effective tension and propulsive pacing, while some pointed out vague exposition and underused thematic threads. Christian Carion’s restrained direction and deliberate tone create an engaging mood, but the story’s occasional slowness and unresolved arcs reduce emotional resonance. Overall, it provides a modestly compelling experience with notable highs amid uneven storytelling.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film displays a restrained visual style and precise editing that heighten its realism. Direction is marked by deliberate framing, and production design underscores the narrative’s austere mood. However, some sequences feel overly subdued, lacking visual dynamism. The cinematography’s subdued palette and straightforward shot composition reinforce the film’s grounded tone but rarely venture into striking imagery. Overall, the craft serves the story with measured effectiveness.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance anchors the film with authentic conviction and nuanced emotional beats. Supporting roles offer genuine moments of connection, especially in familial tension, though some secondary figures lack depth. The emotional resonance peaks in intimate interactions, yet occasional underdevelopment of certain relationships limits full empathy. Overall, the film’s acting and character moments deliver a solid emotional core despite intermittent surface-level portrayals.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the film builds tension through a steady pace and focused narrative threads. While initial momentum sustains engagement, unresolved plot points and sporadic ambiguity hinder overall coherence. The pacing alternates between propulsive suspense segments and slower, contemplative stretches that some viewers found meandering. The thematic exploration of grief and familial duty shows potential but feels partially undeveloped. Ultimately, the narrative presents intriguing ideas amid uneven execution.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s sound design and understated score contribute to an eerie, immersive atmosphere. Visual cohesion is maintained through a subdued color palette and consistent tonal textures. However, the audio elements seldom reach memorable heights, and the overall sensory impact prefers subtlety over bold stylistic flair. While the atmosphere supports the narrative’s realism, it only occasionally elevates the viewing experience through distinct audio-visual moments.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers moments of effective tension and strong performances that may reward a second viewing. The deliberate pacing and nuanced visual details can reveal additional insights on repeat watches. Yet the unresolved arcs and narrative ambiguity could limit lasting appeal for some audiences. Overall, it provides moderate replay value, with highlights in direction and acting tempered by a story that remains partially open-ended.

Plot

My Son Plot Summary

What happens in My Son from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Edmond Murray is a distressed father, portrayed by James McAvoy, who is summoned to the scene of his son Ethan’s mysterious disappearance. There, he encounters his ex-wife, Joan, played by Claire Foy, and offers her brief comfort amidst the chaos. Determined to find his son, Edmond joins a search party while also undergoing questioning by the police.

Full summary

The whole story of My Son, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know My Son?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Edmond Murray?

Details

My Son Also Known As

2 alternative titles: “Pour honneur un fils” and “Per l’honor d’un fill”.

Also known as
  • Pour honneur un fils
  • Per l’honor d’un fill

Seen My Son?

FAQ

My Son FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of My Son, each answered in a sentence.

How long is My Son?

My Son runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).

When was My Son released?

My Son was released on May 10, 2019.

Who directed My Son?

My Son was directed by Christian Carion.

More films by Christian Carion

Who is in the cast of My Son?

My Son stars Guillaume Canet as Julien Perrin, Mélanie Laurent as Marie Blanchard and Christophe Rossignon as Directeur Centre de loisirs, among 10 credited actors.

How is My Son rated?

My Son has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 2.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does My Son have a post-credit scene?

No. My Son has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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