Ivan Kavanagh’s new horror evokes a compelling familial setting entrenched helplessness of a mother trying to save her only child. Starring Andi Matichak, Emile Hirsch, and Luke David Blumm, Son chronicles is about a mother and son, both suffering from a serious illness while being on the run from a satanic cult.
The movie opens with a pregnant woman, Laura on the run from a cult. She ended up going into labor inside a car. Years later, she’s living a quiet life with her son, David. The two seem to have a good relationship. However, their quaint life shattered when she found a group of strange people standing around her still-sleeping son before they slam the door in her face. However, there were no signs of forced entry. Her mental and emotional being as well as her son’s increasingly odd behavior gives the story a bloody and crazy turn. However, she accepts help from Detective Paul who seems to empathize with the single mother.
The acting is great, especially from child actor David Blumm. Matichak is convincing as a mother who is willing to do anything for her son. She managed to bring the emotional weight of the character and the suspense she’s experiencing.
Laura’s past is sprinkled well throughout the movie for the audience to piece it together themselves. The cult is threatening in the background, reminisce of Ari Aster’s Hereditary. But the star of the show, Blumm shines with his constant transformation from demonic-possessed to an innocent boy within seconds.
The story is suspenseful and it keeps viewers guessing on the whereabouts of the cult chasing the mother-son duo. And it contains a plot twist that will leave you jaw-dropped.
In essence, Son evokes a palpable sense of unease with flashbacks that will give your the creeps along with good visuals and emotional stakes. The jump scares are not overused and most horror scenes are atmospheric. Son is a thrilling ride into the bloodied entrails of terror and paranoia and is definitely worth considering.
Source: Screenrant, RLJE Films