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The Son film image, director Florian Zeller, starring Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, and Anthony Hopkins

The Son

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Critics have called the prolific French writer Florian Zeller “the most exciting playwright of our times,” and his second film as writer-director confirms that he’s equally adept when it comes to cinema. Despite Anthony Hopkins’ Academy Award for Best Actor, The Father didn’t find the audience it should have (its release coincided with COVID-19). His follow-up, adapted from the play of the same name by Zeller’s regular English translator, Christopher Hampton, is as sharp, insightful, and devastating. Teenager Nicolas (Zen McGrath) is suffering from depression and has stopped going to school. It’s so bad, his mom Kate (Laura Dern) hands him over to his father, Peter (Hugh Jackman), who is celebrating a baby with his new wife, Beth (Vanessa Kirby). Perhaps a stepbrother will raise Nic’s spirits? Peter vows to do everything he can to help—but Nic descends still further.

As in The Father, Zeller uses the subjectivity of the camera to access mental spaces that seem impenetrable from the outside. There are no easy answers here, but the film’s emotional pull is direct and undeniable.

 

Presented by

 

Director

Florian Zeller

Cast

Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, Zen McGrath, Hugh Quarshie, Anthony Hopkins

Credits
Country of Origin

UK

Year

2022

Language

English

Content Warning

Self Harm

18+
123 min
Drama

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Credits

Executive Producer

Simon Gillis, Philippe Carcassonne, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Battsek, Ollie Madden, Lauren Dark, Peter Touche, Christelle Conan, Hugo Grumbar, Tim Haslam

Producer

Joanna Laurie, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Florian Zeller, Christophe Spadone

Screenwriter

Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller

Cinematography

Ben Smithard

Editor

Yorgos Lamprinos

Production Design

Simon Bowles

Original Music

Hans Zimmer