Directed by
Ivan Kavanagh
Made by
RLJE Films
Discover the intricate plot of Son (2021). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
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.”
Fast forward eight years, and Laura lives a simple yet joyful life with her son David. Her neighbor, Susan, lends a helping hand by watching David as Laura manages her responsibilities. But one fateful night, a disturbance awakens Laura as she hears unsettling noises from David’s room. Rushing over, she finds a group of figures surrounding her child. Desperate for help, she alerts Susan to call the police. Upon her return, Laura discovers that the mysterious figures have vanished, leaving David peacefully asleep, albeit with no recollection of the incident, except for a vivid dream of drowning in blood.
When local detectives, Paul and Steve, investigate, Steve dismisses Laura’s claims as mere fabrications, attributing the event to sleepwalking or nightmares. However, Paul, showing more empathy, vows to follow up on Laura’s troubling report. Later, her fears intensify when David mysteriously becomes ill, with no clear diagnosis from the doctors, adding to her paranoia that the individuals in David’s room may have poisoned him.
Laura’s frantic worries seem validated when David inexplicably recovers later, only to fall sick again, leading her to confide in Paul about her traumatic past in a cult, suggesting that they are the ones tormenting David. That night, overhearing disturbing conversations from the doctors, Laura’s panic escalates as she spots suspicious figures lurking outside the hospital. Without a second thought, she absconds with David and seeks refuge with [Susan], only to find her neighbor deceased and David disconcertingly consuming parts of her body.
In a frenzied state, Laura scrawls “He Is Coming” across the wall in Susan’s blood, a chilling chant from her past. She escapes with David, leading them to a motel, where they unexpectedly see themselves on the news. Switching cars and fleeing from the spotlight, Laura hunts for an old friend, hoping to regain suppressed memories. Paul and Steve, meanwhile, uncover Laura’s harrowing history of abuse and the presumed fable of the cult she claims haunted her life.
As Laura reconnects with Jimmy, her former cult companion, she learns about the horrific traditions they endured, including grisly animal sacrifices and a dark ritual intended to summon a demonic entity. The stakes rise as David’s behavior grows more erratic, leaving Laura in a constant state of alarm. During a moment of desperation, she engages a pimp to alleviate their situation, with shocking consequences as David savagely attacks him.
While Paul and Steve piece together the severity of Laura’s past, Laura and David share fleeting moments of joy, but her son’s health rapidly deteriorates. A wrongful shooting incident involving local law enforcement hints at the chaos engulfing their lives. Facing the haunting memories of their past, Laura drives David back to the house of her upbringing, where disillusionment awaits.
In a climactic turn, Laura recalls an ancient chant and attempts to summon the entity from her past, hoping to save David—her son whom she believes she must protect at all costs. Just as a shadowy figure materializes, the police intervene, leading to a heartfelt confrontation between Laura and Paul, who tries to convince her of her delusions. In a tragic moment of desperation, Paul sees through to Laura’s intentions to save David, and the narrative spirals into a terrifying conclusion where the true nature of dark legacies and loyalties blurs the lines of reality and madness.
In an unexpected twist, it’s revealed that the cult’s grip is not just in Laura’s mind; Paul hides sinister secrets of his own that connect them all. The narrative weaves a complex tapestry of trauma, sacrifice, and twisted love, as the story culminates in a chilling alliance between David and the entity that emerges from the shadowy depths of his mother’s haunted past.
Track the key events of Son (2021) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Laura's Disturbing Encounter
Laura sits in a café, sipping her coffee when she becomes aware of two men watching her closely. Alarmed by their presence, she leaves in haste, revealing her pregnancy as she tries to escape their unsettling gaze.
The Pursuit
As Laura tries to flee, the two men pursue her, leading to a frantic chase through the streets. The tension escalates, culminating in a distressing moment where she goes into labor, expressing her distress with a heartbreaking declaration.
Eight Years Later
Fast forward eight years, Laura now leads a simple yet fulfilling life with her son, David. She manages her responsibilities with the help of her neighbor, Susan, who frequently assists her in watching David.
The Disturbance
One night, unsettling noises emanate from David's room, abruptly waking Laura from her sleep. Rushing to investigate, she discovers a group of sinister figures gathered around her child, sending her into a panic.
Mysterious Disappearance
After alerting Susan to call the police, Laura returns to find the figures gone and David asleep without any recollection of the event. However, David has vivid dreams about drowning in blood, increasing Laura's worry.
Detectives Investigate
Local detectives Paul and Steve arrive to investigate the mysterious incident. Steve dismisses Laura's claims as fanciful, while Paul empathizes and promises to take her concerns seriously, giving Laura a glimmer of hope.
David's Illness
Laura's fears amplify when David becomes inexplicably ill, with doctors failing to find a clear diagnosis. Paranoia sets in as Laura suspects that the figures she encountered may have poisoned her son.
Confession of Trauma
Laura confides in Paul about her harrowing past with a cult, suggesting that they may be the ones tormenting her and David. Her mental state becomes more fragile as she grapples with her traumatic history.
The Deadly Find
Upon returning home from the hospital, Laura seeks refuge with Susan, but finds her neighbor deceased and David disturbingly has parts of her body in his possession. Driven into a frenzy, Laura writes a chilling message on the wall.
Fleeing from the Chaos
In a desperate move, Laura escapes with David to a motel, where they see themselves on the news, prompting them to switch cars and evade law enforcement. Her search for safety leads them to an old friend from her past.
Unearthing the Past
Reconnecting with Jimmy, a former cult member, Laura learns about the horrific rituals they endured aimed at summoning a demonic entity. This revelation intensifies her worries as David's behavior becomes increasingly bizarre.
Escalating Danger
As Paul and Steve delve deeper into Laura's traumatic history, Laura experiences fleeting moments of happiness with David. However, the threat of chaos looms closer when local authorities mistakenly shoot during a confrontation.
Return to the Past
In a moment of clarity, Laura drives David back to her childhood home, believing it may hold answers for their troubles. She discovers the disillusionment that challenges her search for protection and safety.
Summoning the Entity
In a climactic attempt to save David, Laura recalls an ancient chant from her past, hoping to summon the dark entity. The situation escalates dramatically when police arrive to intervene during this eerie ritual.
The Chilling Revelation
As the story unfolds, Laura's intentions come under scrutiny. Paul realizes that the cult's influence isn't just confined to Laura; he too harbors dark secrets that intertwine their fates, leading to a terrifying conclusion.
Meet the characters that bring Son (2021) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Laura (Andi Matichak)
Laura is a devoted mother plagued by her traumatic past and fears for her son's safety. Her character showcases profound vulnerability and resilience as she battles the psychological remnants of her cult involvement. Throughout the film, Laura's protective instincts surface, revealing her strength even in moments of overwhelming fear.
David (Luke David Blumm)
David is a young boy caught in a web of mystery and danger surrounding his mother's chaotic life. His character is pivotal, as he embodies innocence amidst the darkness and becomes a focal point for Laura’s fears. David’s evolving behavior hints at deeper connections to the supernatural events unfurling around him.
Paul (Emile Hirsch)
Detective Paul exhibits empathy and a desire to uncover the truth, offering a stark contrast to his partner's skepticism. His involvement in Laura's case showcases his determination to protect both her and David, even as he grapples with his own dark secrets. Paul's character arc adds complexity to the narrative as it unfolds.
Uncover the settings of Son (2021), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film spans events from Laura's pregnancy to her son's childhood, exploring themes of trauma across these years. The narrative weaves through moments of safety and intense fear, seamlessly transitioning from bliss to horror as Laura's past comes back to haunt her. This fluid timeline accentuates the urgency of Laura's predicament as she confronts both her past and present.
Location
Café, Hospital, Motel
The story unfolds in a variety of settings including a cozy café where Laura first finds herself in distress. The hospital becomes a pivotal location, representative of her struggles to secure David's well-being amidst sinister threats. Additionally, a motel serves as a desperate refuge for Laura and David, symbolizing their fleeting escape from the chaos that envelops them.
Explore the core themes of Son (2021). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
👻
Supernatural
The film delves into supernatural elements tied to Laura's past in a cult, suggesting an ominous force impacting her life and her son's behavior. Laura’s desperate attempts to shield David hint at her perception of a lurking evil, manifesting through intriguing imagery of shadowy figures. The chaotic intertwining of reality and the supernatural results in a haunting exploration of fear and sacrifice.
🔪
Paranoia
Paranoia permeates the atmosphere as Laura grapples with her traumatic history and the potential threat to her son. The constant dread of unseen forces prompts frantic responses from Laura, showcasing her determination to protect David. This theme illuminates the fine line between reality and delusion as Laura confronts both internal and external terrors.
🖤
Maternal Instinct
At the heart of the film lies a powerful exploration of maternal instinct, as Laura fiercely protects David from perceived threats. Her past trauma shapes her actions, intensifying her connection to her son, which drives the narrative towards emotional depths. This theme emphasizes the lengths to which a mother will go to safeguard her child, even in the face of unimaginable horror.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.