‹ All movies
The Good Son poster

The Good Son

86 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Elijah Wood Mark Evans
Macaulay Culkin Henry Evans
Wendy Crewson Susan Evans
David Morse Jack Evans
Daniel Hugh Kelly Wallace Evans
Jacqueline Brookes Dr. Alice Davenport
Quinn Culkin Connie Evans
Ashley Crow Janice Evans
Rory Culkin Richard Evans

The Good Son | The Rewatchables

Explore episodeClose episode

Most Rewatchable Scene

Mr. Highway is one participant’s favorite, Henry threatening Susan and Mark attacking him is another, and the cliff battle is praised as an elite finale. The treehouse-to-well progression, dog encounter and killing, therapist conversations, Connie on the ice, Susan finding the duck, Mark’s shiv, and Henry’s therapist ambush are additional choices.

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:27Read transcript
  • The treehouse, rock throwing, cigarette, crossbow, and well progression is nominated as Henry tests Mark’s limits.
  • Henry facing down the pursuing Rottweiler is nominated.
  • Henry killing the dog and dumping it into the well is nominated.
  • Henry causing the highway pileup with Mr. Highway is selected as a favorite.
  • Mark telling the therapist that she should believe in evil is nominated.
  • Connie trapped beneath the ice is nominated as a malevolent set piece.
  • Henry saying “She’s my mother now” and “don’t fuck with me” is nominated.
  • Susan discovering Richard’s duck among Henry’s disturbing possessions is nominated.
  • The confrontation over Richard and the cliff climax are nominated.
  • Mark pulling a makeshift knife on Henry is nominated.
  • The overhead tracking shot following Mark after he is locked in the room is praised.
  • Henry appearing at Mark’s therapist’s office is nominated for its gaslighting.
  • The final cliff battle is later reaffirmed as an elite, well-shot scene.

What’s Aged the Best?

The film’s willingness to cast two exceptional child actors against each other is praised.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:04Read transcript
  • The two child leads’ ability to sustain the thriller is praised.

What’s Aged the Worst?

The children freely wrecking an abandoned building is remembered fondly but treated as belonging to another era. The adults’ failure to recognize Henry’s danger and the neglected trauma around the family are criticized.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:07Read transcript
  • The children freely wrecking an abandoned building is remembered fondly but treated as belonging to another era.
  • The adults’ failure to recognize Henry’s danger and the neglected trauma around the family are criticized.

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Susan’s Choice is proposed; a joking streaming title built around Henry killing his brother is also offered.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:27Read transcript
  • Susan’s Choice is proposed; a joking streaming title built around Henry killing his brother is also offered.

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The cliff geography and images of the boys moving through the Maine landscape are discussed as the movie’s visual strength.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:06Read transcript
  • The cliff geography and images of the boys moving through the Maine landscape are discussed as the movie’s visual strength.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Macaulay Culkin’s work is proposed as his greatest performance. The movie is argued to require two unusually gifted child actors in order to function.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:53Read transcript
  • Macaulay Culkin’s work is proposed as his greatest performance.
  • The movie is argued to require two unusually gifted child actors in order to function.

Cruise or Hanks?

The panel finds the adult roles too thin for a confident Cruise-or-Hanks choice.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:13Read transcript
  • The panel finds the adult roles too thin for a confident Cruise-or-Hanks choice.

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

An eight-episode prestige series is proposed, though the panel worries Henry’s repeated crimes would become impossible to ignore.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:17Read transcript
  • An eight-episode prestige series is proposed, though the panel worries Henry’s repeated crimes would become impossible to ignore.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Henry’s line that realizing you can do anything makes you free is selected as the film’s dark life lesson.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:51:55Read transcript
  • Henry’s line that realizing you can do anything makes you free is selected as the film’s dark life lesson.

Who Won the Movie?

Macaulay Culkin wins the movie as the central performance, while Kit Culkin is separately selected for forcing the production into existence; Elijah Wood is acknowledged as a credible alternative.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:52:37Read transcript
  • Elijah Wood is acknowledged as a credible alternative before Macaulay Culkin is chosen.
  • Macaulay Culkin is chosen for a singular performance unlike the rest of his credits.
  • Kit Culkin is separately chosen for forcing his son and daughter into the project and acting as a shadow producer.
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Macaulay Culkin
Speaker not identified
Kit Culkin
Speaker not identified
Macaulay Culkin
Speaker not identified
Kit Culkin
Speaker not identified
Macaulay Culkin
Speaker not identified
Kit Culkin