Director – Ivan Kavanagh (The Fading Light, The Canal)
Starring – Andi Matichak (Halloween, 666 Park Avenue), Emile Hirsch (The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Freaks), and Luke David Blumm (The Walking Dead, Watchmen)
Release Date – 2021
Rating – 3/5
Sometime ago Shudder and RLJE Films teamed up to release the films Z and Come Play. Both were horror tales centered around children and both films came up very short in terms of entertainment value. I hate writing negative reviews but both of these films were oddly similar yet both went nowhere.
A few weeks ago I received the press release for the Shudder and RLJE Films’ joined release Son. Son, like Z and Come Play, follows a young child but the trailer looked a lot more fun than the other twos. I reached out and was able to get a copy of this one blu to review. I’m glad I did because it was a lot of fun.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows Laura (Matichak) and her son David (Blumm). Laura had an interesting pregnancy and has put her troubled past behind her but when her son becomes ill she suspects that her sinister past has come back to reclaim David. **Spoiler Alert**
The trailer for Son looked extremely interesting but I couldn’t help but think about how bad Z and Come Play actually was. Lucky for me the film was nothing like those two and was a seriously fun horror flick. It’s a straight forward in your face bloody mess of a film that I would recommend to any horror fan looking for some late night scares.
The acting in this one is great. I never considered Hirsch a strong actor until I saw The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Since then I look forward to him appearing in other genre titles. Sadly, he is very under utilized here which is a huge disappointment. With that being said, Matichak and Blumm carry the film. Their relationship on camera is undeniable and they work so well together. you really do feel a mother and son bond between them too and their emotional range must be seen to be believed.
The story for this one is a fun psychological horror meets the occult. I really liked the story and how it unfolded giving the viewer just enough to make the scene work without giving away too much. The further into the film you get the better it is which is how a good horror film should be. The suspense and atmosphere should progress along with the story.
Finally, the film is extremely bloody and violent. Gorehounds will really enjoy this one. The kills are great and the practical effects are gorgeous. Overall, Son is a bit of a slow start but the film steamrolls through. I highly recommend giving this bloody flick a chance. It’s well worth your time.
