The Son (2022 film)

The Son is a 2022 drama film written and directed by Florian Zeller, adapted from his 2018 stage play Le Fils.

The Son is a 2022 drama film directed by Florian Zeller, adapted from his stage play Le Fils. It stars Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, Zen McGrath, Hugh Quarshie, and Anthony Hopkins. The film focuses on a family dealing with a teenager's severe depression and the strain it places on relationships.

Plot

The film follows Peter, a successful father whose life is disrupted when his teenage son Nicholas comes to live with him amid concerns about depression and emotional distress. The story centres on the family's struggle to respond to Nicholas's severe depression and the turmoil it causes, including the strain placed on his separated parents and their new family lives.

Production

Florian Zeller wrote and directed the film, with Christopher Hampton as co-writer. It is adapted from Zeller's 2018 stage play Le Fils and is widely described as a thematic follow-up or loose sequel to his earlier film The Father.

Release

The Son had its world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on 7 September 2022. Sony Pictures Classics handled the United States release, which began with a limited theatrical run on 25 November 2022 and expanded to a wide release on 20 January 2023.

Reception

Reviews described The Son as a serious family drama focused on mental illness, grief, and parent-child relationships. Responses ranged from praise for the performances to criticism of its tonal approach.