Film Review - Son (2021)

Beginning on a dangerous windy road during a wild storm, we join a frantic young pregnant woman escaping in her car being followed by two unidentified, shady men.

In the middle of the chase, she suddenly screeches onto the side of the road to reluctantly give birth whilst screaming in pain and remorse causing immediate unbelievable tension for both her and us, the bewildered viewer.

Jump to eight-years-later, school teacher Laura (Andi Matichak) alongside son David (Luke David Blumm) are playfully close, joking and doing typical mum and kid fun stuff establishing loving trust for each other. This is nothing but a false sense of security.

After a paranormal home invasion, David contracts a mysterious illness abruptly, Laura is obviously concerned initially putting it down to a sleep depravity or night terrors, but medical professionals are also baffled.

Laura’s fragmented hidden past within a conspiring cult, begins to unravel disturbingly into present day and David suffers severely being the target for a demonic cult determined to nurture his apparent possession.

Revelations keep on coming, it’s all bloody-hell in the American bible-belt.

A first responder detective on the case (Emile Hirsch) sparks up a friendship with Laura and David seemingly believing her account on proceedings, whilst his inspector colleagues remain sceptical.

She’ll reach extreme lengths to ensure the child’s recovery.

Horror fanatics are sure to be in raptures, a string of taboo subjects is at play here, impressive practical effects, suitably spindly music by Aza Hand and disturbing gore concerning the child; he has to eat!

A booming unsettling performance from Andi Matichak (Halloween 2018) deserves award recognition, Emile Hirsch continues to switch up his career in solid genre roles and young Blumm is compassionate and eerie, always believable under duress.

Another captivating Shudder exclusive.