The Last Son 2021
Directed by
Tim Sutton
Made by
VMI Worldwide
Plot Summary
**The film begins with a prologue revealing the tumultuous past of Isaac LeMay, depicted as a man who traversed the vast expanse of the Great Plains during the early days of American expansion. With a sordid history tied to both violence and the exploitation of women, LeMay fathered children with several prostitutes, drawing the ire of the Cheyenne people. Following a series of unforgivable acts, a Cheyenne chief by the name of White Thunder imposed a curse upon LeMay, foretelling that his own offspring would bring about his demise. Stricken with fear over this prophecy, LeMay embarks on a grim quest: to hunt down and eliminate his children before they have the chance to take his life.
As The Last Son unfolds, LeMay’s journey leads him to a rundown saloon known as Two-One, where he plans to confront his son, Lionel, whom he fathered with the whore Anna, who also works at the establishment. In a violent encounter, LeMay fatally stabs the 20-year-old Lionel in the woods. Soon after, he seeks out Anna for information, discovering she is harboring a dark secret about another son. In a fit of rage and frustration, he viciously mutilates Anna, severing her fingers as he leaves her in despair.
The narrative further introduces Claire, another woman from LeMay’s past, who has since moved on to a tranquil life in the woods with her family, including her daughter Megan. LeMay, perhaps showing some restraint, spares Megan, yet continues his violent rampage by murdering Anna’s husband.
Soon, the story shifts to Cal Talisker (Machine Gun Kelly), LeMay and Anna’s other son, who was abandoned at a home for boys to spare him from the life Anna despised. Growing up without parental support, Cal becomes an outlaw, embroiled in a life of crime and violence, robbing banks and killing law officers in a desperate quest for revenge against LeMay after the death of his twin.
After LeMay kills Lionel, Anna implores Cal to escape to Brooks, Canada, to save himself. However, stubborn like his father, Cal chooses to continue the cycle of violence. Meanwhile, a skilled tracker named Solomon learns of the turmoil in the town after hearing about the brutal murder of army men and the unrest stirred by LeMay. This leads to a turbulent buildup where Cal’s band of outlaws becomes more emboldened, leading to violent confrontations.
The climax of the film features an intense showdown between LeMay and Cal, culminating in a series of brutal gunfights. During a tense standoff, LeMay, believing he is elusive from the curse, finds himself facing his own demise, yet irony plays a cruel twist when it is Megan, whom he deemed harmless, who ultimately pulls the trigger. Her actions fulfill the Cheyenne prophecy, bringing an end to his reign of violence, but raising the question of whether the curse was ever real.
In the aftermath, Megan leaves the town and starts anew, establishing a peaceful life in Carson City, Nevada. Despite her family’s dark legacy, she marries and bears three children, thus ensuring that some part of the LeMay bloodline continues, even though their patriarch tried to eradicate it. The film concludes with lingering questions about the validity of curses and destiny, as Megan determinedly moves on from the shadows of her family’s past.
Timeline
Isaac LeMay's Troubled Past
The film begins by outlining the dark history of Isaac LeMay, who journeyed through the Great Plains during America's early expansion. His involvement in violence and exploitation of women leads to him fathering multiple children with prostitutes, angering the local Cheyenne tribe.
The Cheyenne Chief's Curse
LeMay's actions cause the Cheyenne chief, White Thunder, to place a curse on him, predicting that his own children will eventually bring about his death. Terrified by this prophecy, LeMay begins a dark mission to hunt down his offspring and eliminate them before they can fulfill the curse.
Confrontation with Lionel
LeMay tracks down his son Lionel, whom he fathered with a prostitute named Anna, at a decrepit saloon called Two-One. In a brutal encounter, LeMay stabs Lionel fatally in the woods, carrying out the first act in his desperate attempts to defeat the curse.
Mutilation of Anna
Following Lionel’s death, LeMay confronts Anna, seeking information about another son. In a fit of rage over her secrets, he brutally mutilates Anna, severing her fingers and leaving her in dire despair.
Claire and Megan's Life
Amidst the chaos, LeMay's past romantic interest Claire is introduced, living peacefully in the woods with her family, including her daughter Megan. LeMay chooses to spare Megan, displaying a moment of restraint as he continues his violent spree against others.
Murder of Anna’s Husband
Continuing his violent path, LeMay kills Anna’s husband, further deepening the cycle of violence surrounding his family. This heinous act showcases his relentless nature and disregard for the consequences of his actions.
Cal Talisker's Upbringing
The narrative shifts to Cal Talisker, LeMay's other son, who was raised in a home for boys to avoid the criminal life Anna despised. Abandoned and neglected, Cal grows up to become an outlaw, resorting to robbery and violence in pursuit of revenge against LeMay.
Cal’s Descent into Violence
Cal’s life spirals into crime as he resorts to bank robberies and killing law enforcement officers. His actions are fueled by a burning desire for vengeance after learning about the grim fate of his twin brother, reinforcing the cycle of violence.
Anna's Plea and Cal's Stubbornness
After the murder of Lionel, Anna desperately urges Cal to escape to Brooks, Canada, to protect himself from LeMay. However, exhibiting a stubborn nature reminiscent of his father, Cal disregards her advice and decides to confront LeMay instead.
Rise of the Outlaws
As the violence escalates, skilled tracker Solomon learns of the chaos unfolding in the town, spurred by LeMay's fury. Cal and his group of outlaws become increasingly emboldened, leading to intense confrontations with authority figures.
Climactic Showdown
The film culminates in a violent showdown between LeMay and Cal, marked by a series of gunfights. Tension mounts as LeMay believes he can escape the curse, only to find himself face-to-face with his fate in a deadly standoff.
Megan’s Act of Fate
In a twist of fate, it is Megan, whom LeMay underestimated, who ultimately pulls the trigger during the climactic confrontation. This act fulfills the Cheyenne curse, concluding LeMay’s reign of terror and leaving a haunting ambiguity regarding the truth behind the prophecy.
Megan's New Life
After the devastating events, Megan decides to leave her dark past behind, seeking a fresh start in Carson City, Nevada. Despite the tragic legacy of her family, she marries and has three children, ensuring that some part of the LeMay bloodline continues.
Reflections on Legacy
The film closes with a poignant reflection on destinies and curses, as Megan grapples with her family's violent history. Her determination to forge a new path underscores the enduring struggle between past legacies and personal choices.
Characters
Isaac LeMay
Isaac LeMay is a deeply flawed character, driven by a troubled past filled with violence and regret. His desperate actions to escape his curse reveal a man struggling with his demons, yet incapable of breaking free from the pattern he has established. The character embodies the themes of family and destruction, as he is willing to kill his own children in fear of his demise.
Cal Talisker
Cal Talisker is portrayed as an outlaw shaped by rejection and filled with rage towards his father. Abandoned at a young age, he seeks revenge and follows in the violent footsteps of his lineage. His internal struggle between seeking a peaceful life and succumbing to a life of crime adds depth to his character as he battles against the cycle of violence.
Megan
Megan, the daughter of Isaac LeMay, represents hope and resilience amidst the chaos of her family's dark history. Though initially deemed harmless, her ultimate choice to end her father's life marks her as a pivotal character in breaking the cycle of violence. Her journey toward establishing a peaceful life serves as a contrast to the turmoil of her father's legacy.
Anna
Anna is a tragic figure entwined with Isaac's past, embodying the pain of betrayal and violence. Once a part of LeMay's life, her character reveals the harsh realities faced by women during this period. Her resilience amidst suffering adds emotional depth to the narrative, making her fate all the more poignant.
Setting
Time period
Early Days of American Expansion
The movie is set during the early days of American expansion, a time marked by conflict between settlers and indigenous peoples. This period saw both the promise of opportunities and the tragedy of violence, exploitation, and generational curses. Characters grapple with the consequences of their actions against the backdrop of a rapidly changing landscape.
Location
Great Plains, Two-One Saloon, Carson City, Nevada
The Great Plains, a vast expanse of open land, serves as the backdrop for Isaac LeMay's journey, symbolizing both freedom and desolation during American expansion. The Two-One Saloon is a rundown establishment where crucial confrontations take place, representing the darker aspects of human nature and despair. Carson City, Nevada, becomes a symbol of renewal as Megan seeks to build a new life, emerging from the shadows of her family's tumultuous legacy.
Themes
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Violence
Violence permeates every facet of 'The Last Son,' driving characters to commit heinous acts in pursuit of revenge and survival. Isaac LeMay's brutal past and his quest to eradicate his bloodline illustrate the cyclical nature of violence. The film raises questions about whether this cycle can ever truly be broken or if it continues to haunt future generations.
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Curses & Destiny
'The Last Son' explores the concept of curses and destiny, prominently featuring the prophecy imposed by the Cheyenne chief. LeMay's fear of the curse propels him towards his own downfall, while the ending leaves audiences pondering the implications of fate and whether we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors.
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Family Legacy
The film examines the complexities of family legacy, particularly through the relationships between LeMay and his children. Megan's journey to forge a peaceful life contrasts sharply with her father's violent legacy. The film challenges viewers to consider how much of our past shapes our future and the responsibility one holds in breaking away from generational trauma.
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