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Biographical drama

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

Son of the South (2021) movie poster

Son of the South is a 2021 biographical drama directed by Barry Alexander Brown, starring Brian Dennehy as J.O. Zellner, Lucas Till and Sharonne Lanier. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $48,582 worldwide. Critics gave it 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
59%
worldwide gross
$48.6K
Echo Score
57
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Son of the South (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Son of the South About?

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

In Montgomery, Alabama, a young man embarks on a transformative journey that challenges racial inequality. As the grandson of a Klansman, he grapples with his family’s history and faces a crucial decision: to conform or to stand for what’s right. Drawing inspiration from Bob Zellner’s autobiography, the film portrays a man’s fight to challenge the existing social order and contribute to meaningful change during the Civil Rights era. It’s a story of courage and the power of individual action in the face of injustice.

Son of the South Themes & Keywords

· 13 tags
  • civil rights era
  • ku klux klan
  • social issues
  • based on true person
  • based on real person
  • based on real people
  • 1960s
  • young
  • united states history
  • race issues
  • segregation
  • based on true story
+1 more
  • based on novel
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Cast & crew

Son of the South Cast & Characters

Brian Dennehy leads the cast as J.O. Zellner, with Lucas Till as Bob Zellner and Sharonne Lanier as Rosa Parks. Directed by Barry Alexander Brown; 16 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Barry Alexander Brown

More films directed by Barry Alexander Brown, best-rated first: Winning Girls Through Psychic Mind Control and The War at Home.

Full filmography
Ratings

Son of the South Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Son of the South 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

57 /100

Son of the South Echo Score Breakdown

Son of the South earns a modest score for its earnest subject matter balanced against formulaic execution. Critical opinions recognize its sincere portrayal of civil rights history and commend the lead actor’s nuanced performance, but they also point to heavy-handed direction and an overly familiar biopic structure. Viewers echo appreciation for the film’s topical relevance and competent production, while noting uneven pacing and occasional narrative lapses. Overall, this drama delivers a thoughtful message but falls short of lasting distinction.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film offers competent period design and convincing locations alongside measured editing. Critics note some ham-fisted direction and uninspired visual flourishes, and users describe the cinematography and music as serviceable but unremarkable. Though the production design effectively evokes the era, the overall execution remains formulaic and lacks distinctive flair.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance is widely regarded as the film’s strongest element, delivering a nuanced portrayal of personal growth. Supporting roles provide adequate chemistry, though character depth varies across the ensemble. While emotional resonance is achieved in key moments, some figures remain underdeveloped, resulting in a moderately engaging but uneven character canvas.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative follows a familiar biopic arc with straightforward plotting. Reviews highlight the film’s earnest intentions and clear moral focus, yet many point out its predictable structure, occasional pacing inconsistencies, and lack of originality. As a result, the plot engages intermittently but does not offer fresh insights or compelling twists.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design provide adequate period atmosphere without drawing attention to themselves. Visual style remains consistent, reflecting an understated color palette that suits the historical setting. However, reviewers frequently describe the audio-visual elements as serviceable rather than inspired, contributing to an overall sensory impression that is pleasant but forgettable.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s thematic importance and lead performance may hold initial appeal, but its formulaic approach limits long-term engagement. Critics and viewers alike report that the story, while inspiring, lacks memorable sequences that invite repeated viewings. Consequently, the movie delivers a respectable first experience but offers limited incentive for revisiting.

Plot

Son of the South Plot Summary

What happens in Son of the South from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story begins on April 5, 1961, when we meet Bob Zellner (/actor/lucas-till), a senior at the all-White Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. As the son of a Methodist minister, Zellner’s curiosity about race relations grows, leading him to team up with four fellow students on an enlightening expedition to delve into this intricate issue. Their journey brings them to a Baptist Black church, where they participate in a gathering commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Montgomery bus boycott (1955-1956), orchestrated by influential civil rights leaders like Ralph Abernathy and Rosa Parks.

Full summary

The whole story of Son of the South, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Son of the South Box Office

Son of the South grossed $48,582 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$48.6K

International
$48.6K
Videos

Son of the South Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Son of the South.

Son of the South | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Son of the South?

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

Where does Bob Zellner attend college?

Cars

Cars in Son of the South

29 cars on screen, including the 1949 Plymouth Special De Luxe and the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air.

All 29 cars
  • 1949 Plymouth Special De Luxe in Son of the South 1949 Plymouth Special De Luxe Main role
  • 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air in Son of the South 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Important role
  • 1954 De Soto Firedome in Son of the South 1954 De Soto Firedome Important role
  • 1948 Ford F-1 in Son of the South 1948 Ford F-1 Important role
Details

Son of the South Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Hijos del Sur” and “Filhos do Ódio”.

Also known as
  • Hijos del Sur
  • Filhos do Ódio
  • Un fils du sud
  • 南方之子
  • Combat pour la liberté
  • Hijos del odio
  • Il colore della libertà
  • 선 오브 더 사우스
  • Fills del Sud
  • Син Півдня
  • Güneyin Oğlu
  • ילד דרומי

Seen Son of the South?

FAQ

Son of the South FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Son of the South?

Son of the South runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Son of the South released?

Son of the South was released on February 5, 2021.

Who directed Son of the South?

Son of the South was directed by Barry Alexander Brown.

More films by Barry Alexander Brown

Who is in the cast of Son of the South?

Son of the South stars Brian Dennehy as J.O. Zellner, Lucas Till as Bob Zellner and Sharonne Lanier as Rosa Parks, among 16 credited actors.

How much did Son of the South make at the box office?

Son of the South grossed $48,582 worldwide.

How is Son of the South rated?

Son of the South has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does Son of the South have a post-credit scene?

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

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