Blu-Ray Review: Ivan Kavanagh’s ‘Son’ (2021) Blurs The Line Between Reality and Trauma

I had heard nothing but good things about Son (read our first review- here), so I decided it was time to check out the Blu-ray! The film was written and directed by Ivan Kavanagh (Never Grow Old, The Canal). It stars Andi Matichak (Halloween franchise, Assimilate), Emile Hirsch (Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, Into the Wild, Milk), and Luke David Blumm (The King of Staten Island).

Synopsis for Son

After a mysterious group of individuals breaks into Laura’s home and attempts to abduct her eight-year-old son, David, the two of them flee town in search of safety. But soon after the failed kidnapping, David becomes extremely ill, suffering from increasingly sporadic psychosis and convulsions. Following her maternal instincts to save him, Laura commits unspeakable acts to keep him alive, but soon she must decide how far she is willing to go to save her son.

Son is easily one of the best films I’ve watched all year. It’s a unique yet familiar storyline that slowly builds the suspense and pure terror as a mother watches her son become deathly ill with no cure in sight. As time goes on, she realizes there is only one answer and she’ll do anything to save him. However, the real question and main drive for Son is that we don’t know if all of this is really happening. Is there really a cult? Or is all of this just in her head due to her tragic and abusive past? As the viewer, you can’t help but go back in forth on the possibilities throughout its runtime, never knowing quite sure what to believe.

The mother (Andi Matichak) and son (Luke David Blumm) have a special and unique chemistry, proving once again there’s nothing quite like a mother’s love for the child… so much so, it can be dangerous. They both deliver compelling and heart-wrenching performances that will leave you emotionally exhausted and hoping for a logical answer. Emilie Hirsch is equally phenomenal and plays a good supporting role, helping keep everyone grounded amongst the chaos of everything.

Despite loving the horror genre, I’m not one that is easily spooked by films, however, Son delivers a sinister, eerie, and unsettling atmosphere that sends shivers down your spine. The tone feels dark, cold, hopeless, and lonely. You know something bad is happening but what exactly?

The special features for the Blu-ray consist of interviews with the cast and crew, which I highly recommend along with some deleted scenes. I’m often easily distracted when it comes to watching films, because I always have 1000 things on my to-do list, but Son got my full attention and I definitely plan on watching it again. RLJE Films will release Son on DVD for an SRP of $27.97 and Blu-ray for an SRP of $28.96. Be sure to grab a copy, you will love this film!