The taught mystery drama My Son has been released in the United States via Peacock. It’s a fast moving thriller that’s a nonstop high energy pursuit to catch the kidnappers of a divorced couple’s young son. Nicely acted, directed and filmed in Ireland, the movie deserves above average praise.
Absentee father Ed Murray (James McAvoy) gets word that his son has gone missing from a sleepaway camp. Rushing to meet his ex-wife Joan Richmond (Claire Foy) the two try to make sense of it all, he finds her watching the police drag the camp’s lake. With the police puzzled and time running out, Ed decides to take matters into his own hands.
When a clue opens a door, Ed rushes to judgement. Director and co-writer Christian Carion puts all the elements on the table, then sends his characters into a spiral that may mean certain death. I like the plot for this film even though it may seem a bit similar to others in the past. Christian keeps the divorced couple pressing the dramatics of the situation and using their own doubts about each other to fuel the fire.
James McAvoy, best known for his outstanding performance as the schizophrenic Denis in M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller Split, takes on the role of the traumatic father who’s in pursuit of whomever took his son. His acting really makes the film work as he fends off his blunders while dealing with his own guilt as an absentee dad.
Most filmgoers should also know Claire Foy who plays the boy’s distraught mother. Best known for The Girl in the Spider’s Web she can currently be seen in the TV series The Crown as Queen Elizabeth II. Here she’s a fighter that will not be held back by anyone that comes between her and the ability to find her missing child. I like the balance she gives to the film and the changes she has to go through to make her role work.
My Son has been rated R by the MPAA for language throughout and some violence. The film is currently available via your home theater or computer on Peacock. My rating for an adult audience is 4 out of 5 Stars.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Jamie Michie, Paul Rattray, Max Wilson,
Directed and co-written by: Christian Carion
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout and some violence.
Running Time: 1 hr. 35 min.
Opening Date: September 15, 2021
Distributed by: Peacock
Released in: Streaming on Peacock
