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Horror thriller

Son (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Son (2021) movie poster

Son is a 2021 horror thriller directed by Ivan Kavanagh, starring Emile Hirsch, Andi Matichak and Luke David Blumm. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $95,335 worldwide. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
79%
worldwide gross
$95.3K
Echo Score
76
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Son (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Ivan Kavanagh
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Son About?

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

A mother's protective instincts are tested when her son is kidnapped, forcing them to flee from a dangerous group. As they desperately try to escape, the boy develops a mysterious illness that triggers a disturbing psychological decline. The mother must confront terrifying circumstances and make difficult choices to safeguard her child, battling a growing sense of dread and an unknown threat.

Son Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • model 1911 colt
  • boy
  • diner
  • storm
  • giving birth in a car
  • mother son relationship
  • time jump
  • kitchen knife as weapon
  • fingerprints
  • vomiting blood
  • emergency room
  • fortune cookie
+38 more
  • hospital
  • taxi
  • covered in blood
  • motel
  • tv news
  • written by director
  • male nudity
  • brief male frontal nudity
  • pubic hair
  • male pubic hair
  • undressing
  • vomiting
  • body bag
  • checking out of a hospital
  • kiss
  • intruders
  • child in a hospital
  • buying a car
  • boy in a shower
  • convulsion
  • convulsions
  • police detective
  • kansas
  • daughter impregnated by father
  • eating someone
  • mother and son sleep together
  • watching cartoons on tv
  • pimp
  • reference to plan 9 from outer space
  • claw hammer
  • kitchen knife
  • door ajar
  • barefoot woman
  • locked out
  • woman wears a nightgown in public
  • writing in blood on a wall
  • mystery illness
  • mother son hug
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Cast & crew

Son Cast

Emile Hirsch leads the cast, with Andi Matichak and Luke David Blumm. Directed by Ivan Kavanagh; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Son Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Son 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

76 /100

Son Echo Score Breakdown

Son presents a solid psychological horror experience anchored by restrained craftsmanship and a focused maternal perspective. Reviews highlight its measured pacing, immersive atmosphere, and thematic depth exploring trauma and parenthood. Some observers point to a predictable central twist and occasional narrative vagueness that temper engagement. Overall, the film sustains a compelling tension for genre enthusiasts while navigating familiar story beats.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits confident direction and disciplined production design. Observations note its controlled aesthetic echoing classic slow-burn horror and polished editing that maintains suspense. The measured visual style and restrained camerawork anchor each sequence effectively. Overall, the technical execution reinforces the intended unsettling atmosphere with precision.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are generally praised for conveying maternal devotion and psychological strain. The lead’s nuanced embodiment of a mother coping with trauma and the young actor’s convincing depiction of suffering earn consistent approval. Despite occasional notes of uneven dialogue, the emotional stakes remain credible. Net effect is a sustained resonance with the core mother–child relationship.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding story and flow, the film’s deliberate pacing and escalating tension provide sustained engagement. Critics note the plot employs familiar horror tropes, resulting in a predictable reveal that undercuts some suspense. While thematic exploration of trauma and parenting adds depth, shifts between cult, supernatural, and disease elements sometimes feel underdeveloped. Ultimately, the narrative offers steady intrigue despite moments of narrative vagueness.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In sensory terms, the film delivers an immersive soundscape and unsettling visual style. Its score and sound design enhance key horror moments, while cinematography employs stark framing and an understated color palette to underscore primal fears. Disturbing imagery and disciplined audio cues converge to heighten tension consistently. Overall, the sensory experience powerfully supports the film’s intended atmosphere of unease.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Concerning rewatch factor, the film’s layered themes and atmospheric tension encourage repeat viewings for attentive audiences. Observers suggest that subsequent screenings may reveal nuanced references to trauma and genre conventions. However, the predictable plot structure and limited tonal variation could reduce replay appeal for some viewers. In sum, the movie maintains moderate lasting interest but does not achieve high replay value.

Plot

Son Plot Summary

What happens in Son from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A car speeds along a rain-soaked road at night, while a woman named Laura sits in a café, sipping her coffee. Suddenly, two men enter the restaurant and take a seat nearby, their gaze fixed on her. Alarmed, Laura abruptly leaves, revealing her pregnancy. The men pursue her, leading to a distressing scene where Laura is in labor, declaring, > “I don’t want you, I don’t want you.”

Full summary

The whole story of Son, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Son Box Office

Son grossed $95,335 worldwide. $55,068 came from the US and Canada and $40,267 (42%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$95.3K

US & Canada
$55.1K
International
$40.3K
US & Canada 58% Rest of the world 42%
Videos

Son Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Son - OFFICIAL TRAILER
  • Trailer Son - Official Trailer [HD] | A Shudder Exclusive
Quiz

How Well Do You Know 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

What triggers Laura's initial panic in the café?

Cars

Cars in Son

9 cars on screen, including the 1978 Plymouth Volaré and the 1999 Lexus ES 300.

All 9 cars
  • 1978 Plymouth Volaré in Son 1978 Plymouth Volaré Main role
  • 1999 Lexus ES 300 in Son 1999 Lexus ES 300 Important role
  • 2001 Ford Crown Victoria in Son 2001 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 1981 unknown in Son 1981 unknown Minor role
Details

Son Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Syn” and “兒子可否不要走”.

Also known as
  • Syn
  • 兒子可否不要走
  • Dēls
  • The Son 息子
  • Evlat
  • 愛.子
  • 더 썬
  • El hijo
  • Um Filho
  • Сын
  • Син
  • Ο Γιος
+11 more
  • הבן
  • Oğul
  • 困在心绪里的儿子
  • A fiú sorsa
  • The Son/息子
  • Người Con Trai
  • The Son : บุตร
  • El fill
  • Sūnus
  • Le Fils
  • Poeg

Seen Son?

FAQ

Son FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Son?

Son runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Son released?

Son was released on March 5, 2021.

Who directed Son?

Son was directed by Ivan Kavanagh.

More films by Ivan Kavanagh

Who is in the cast of Son?

Son stars Emile Hirsch, Andi Matichak and Luke David Blumm, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Son make at the box office?

Son grossed $95,335 worldwide ($55,068 domestic, $40,267 international).

How is Son rated?

Son has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Son have a post-credit scene?

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

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