Directed by
Sebastián Schindel
Made by
Netflix
Discover the intricate plot of The Son (2019). 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.
Whilst escaping from a cult in a frantic drive, Laura unexpectedly goes into labor and pulls over, giving birth to a son named David. Fast forward eight years, and Laura is striving to lead a normal life with her child. One fateful night, as she checks on David, she is horrified to witness a group of strangers surrounding his bed before the door slams shut, sealing her fear. In distress, she seeks help from her neighbor, Susan, who calls the police. However, upon returning to David’s room, the mysterious figures have vanished, leaving David in a sickly state.
Two police officers, Paul and Steve, respond to her call. While Paul shows compassion towards Laura, Steve dismisses her concerns as mere delusions. After providing Laura with his card for any future needs, things take a dark turn when David vomits blood, prompting an urgent trip to the hospital. Despite doctors’ best efforts, they can’t determine the cause of David’s ailment; they warn Laura that recovery seems bleak. Exhausted, she falls asleep at his bedside and dreams of her traumatic time in the cult, where she recalls a chilling banner that reads: > “He Is Coming.” To her astonishment, she wakes up to find that David has seemingly recovered.
Back home, Laura informs Paul of her decision to sell the house and start anew, but he convinces her to reconsider. Their budding connection is interrupted when David screams, leading them to discover him convulsing in bed. After David is readmitted to the hospital, Laura overhears troubling discussions among the medical staff. Fearing for their safety, she takes David and seeks refuge at Susan’s house. Unfortunately, upon returning from gathering supplies, she is met with a horrific sight—David has brutally murdered Susan and is consuming her flesh, all while appearing fully recovered. In a desperate move, Laura decides to cover up this atrocity, painting “He Is Coming” alongside the cult’s symbol on the wall in a bid to shift blame.
As they attempt to escape once more, Steve uncovers details of Laura’s dark past through newspaper articles, revealing her real name, Anna, and her past abduction by a horrifying cult. He suggests to Paul that Laura may be experiencing a breakdown, but Paul remains sympathetic. Seeking answers, Laura visits Jimmy, another cult escapee, who unveils a shocking truth: she was impregnated by a demon during her captivity. The nightmare deepens when Steve and Paul discover Jimmy dead, with a grotesque display of crosses in his mouth and the warning, > “He Is Coming,” painted in blood.
During their stay at another motel, David shares a chilling dream with Laura, leading her to feel utterly helpless. That night, a group of cultists invade their motel; in a desperate stand, Laura fires at them, but the horror turns as they reveal themselves to be Steve and two other officers. Realizing the full extent of her entrapment, Laura returns to the cult’s house to perform a dark rite designed to summon the demon, hoping to save David by offering him to the entity. Just as she is about to sacrifice him, Paul and another officer burst in, causing the demon to vanish. In a frenzied moment, she attempts to stab David, but the officer intervenes, fatally shooting her first.
The chilling conclusion unfolds in a hospital room, where David lies in bed. In a twist of fate, Paul feeds him his own blood, revealing through haunting flashbacks that he has been the orchestrator behind Laura’s torment, a member of the very cult she sought to escape. As the demon appears within the hospital, David embraces his dark lineage, hinting at an insidious future as the film draws to a close.
Track the key events of The Son (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Escape from the Cult
Laura escapes from a terrifying cult while in a frantic state. As she drives away, her labor suddenly begins, forcing her to pull over and give birth to her son, David.
Eight Years Later
Fast forward eight years, and Laura strives to lead a normal life with her son David. Despite her efforts, the shadow of her past looms over them.
Unsettling Discovery
One night, Laura checks on David and is horrified to see strangers surrounding his bed. In a panic, she slams the door, sealing her fears about the potential danger her son faces.
Emergency Call for Help
In distress, Laura seeks help from her neighbor, Susan, who promptly calls the police. However, upon their return, the mysterious figures have vanished, leaving David in a sickly state.
Police Response
Two police officers, Paul and Steve, respond to Laura's call. While Paul shows compassion and concern, Steve dismisses Laura's fears, adding to her growing sense of isolation.
Hospital Visit
Following a frightening incident where David vomits blood, Laura rushes him to the hospital. Despite the doctors' exhaustive efforts, they are unable to pinpoint the cause of his illness.
Flashback to the Past
Exhausted from the stress, Laura falls asleep at David's bedside and dreams of her traumatic time in the cult. She is haunted by visions of a chilling banner that ominously reads: 'He Is Coming.'
David's Recovery
To Laura's astonishment, she wakes up to find David seemingly recovered. But the relief is short-lived as her fears continue to overshadow their lives.
Decision to Leave
Back home, Laura shares her decision with Paul to sell their house and start over. Paul, however, persuades her to reconsider, hinting at a deeper connection between them.
David's Disturbing Change
Suddenly, David screams, alarming Laura and Paul. They find him convulsing in bed, leading to a renewed hospital visit that heightens Laura's anxieties about her son.
Chilling Discovery at Susan's House
Fearing for David's safety, Laura takes him to seek refuge at Susan's house. Upon returning with supplies, she is horrified to find that David has brutally murdered Susan.
Covering Up the Horror
In a frantic attempt to cover up the atrocity, Laura paints 'He Is Coming' alongside the cult's symbol on the wall, hoping to shift blame away from her son.
Past Revealed
As the pressure mounts, Steve uncovers Laura's dark past through newspaper articles, revealing her real name, Anna, and her abduction by the cult, while Paul remains supportive.
Seeking Answers
Desperate for clarity, Laura meets with Jimmy, another cult escapee, who shocking reveals that she was impregnated by a demon during her captivity.
Final Confrontation
In a chilling climax, Laura attempts to sacrifice David in a dark rite to summon the demon. Just as she is about to strike, Paul and another officer intervene, leading to a tragic end.
Meet the characters that bring The Son (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Lorenzo Roy (Joaquín Furriel)
*Laura* navigates her trauma and motherhood while grappling with the horrific recollections of her past. Her strength and vulnerability are central to the narrative, embodying the struggles of a mother haunted by the shadows of a cult. As circumstances worsen, her choices become increasingly desperate, showcasing the depths of her character.
David
*David* represents both innocence and a disturbing connection to dark forces. His character evolves from a child to a vessel for horror, as his dreams reveal glimpses of the sinister legacy he inherits. The juxtaposition of his vulnerability and emerging malevolence creates a chilling dynamic that drives the plot forward.
Paul (Police Officer)
*Paul* embodies the conflict between sympathy and duty, showing compassion towards *Laura* while grappling with the growing chaos. His role as a police officer becomes pivotal as he navigates the lines between trust and suspicion. As events unfold, his true motivations and connections to the cult come into question.
Steve (Police Officer)
*Steve* serves as a foil to *Paul*, dismissing *Laura's* claims and underestimating the dangers present. His skepticism highlights the challenges victims face when seeking help. As the narrative progresses, his discovery of *Laura's* past raises questions about his own understanding of the situation.
Uncover the settings of The Son (2019), 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 movie unfolds in contemporary times, exploring themes of motherhood and trauma within a modern context. This setting emphasizes the terrifying aspects of *Laura's* past, bringing the horrors of the cult into a present-day reality.
Location
Cult House, Hospital, Motel
The Cult House serves as the dark backdrop of *Laura's* traumatic past, a site of horror where she was held captive and subsequently gave birth to *David*. The Hospital represents a desperate refuge for *Laura* and *David*, where hopes for recovery clash with grim realities. The Motel is a transient shelter that becomes a battleground for survival against the cult's sinister forces.
Explore the core themes of The Son (2019). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Horror
The film delves into the genre of horror, effectively utilizing psychological and supernatural elements to evoke fear. *Laura's* relentless battle against her past and the malevolent forces seeking her child drives the narrative into dark territories. The tension between maternal instinct and the horrific reality underscores the dread woven throughout the story.
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Motherhood
Motherhood in *The Son* is portrayed as a complex and harrowing journey. *Laura's* fierce protection of *David* is constantly tested against overwhelming odds and the malevolence surrounding them. The sacrifices she makes for her child's safety highlight the extremes a mother will go to, intertwining love with horror.
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Fate
The theme of fate looms large over *Laura* and *David*, hinting at a predestined connection to darkness. As *Laura* learns more about her child’s origins, the horror escalates, suggesting that some destinies are inescapable. The inevitability of their encounter with the cult reflects a chilling exploration of fate's grip on their lives.
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