The Good Son

Mr. Highway

Macaulay Culkin breaking from his sweetheart image, both child performances, practical stunt work, the untouched dead-child bedroom, unsupervised childhood danger, and high-end direction

Game Boy, missed landline calls, an old Apple computer, and the absence of highway cameras are the principal 1993 answers.

Henry looking down the treehouse rope and Henry approaching Connie’s hospital bed are the leading shots.

The adults, especially the disengaged fathers

Bad Brother

The score, the father’s unexplained Tokyo trip, Mark’s restrained response to a cruel taunt, David Morse’s absent parenting, and the abrupt lack of aftermath

Quinn Culkin for underacting

Takes argue this is Macaulay Culkin’s greatest performance, both child stars should already have had supporting Oscars, and Susan should save her own son; another take says Henry could have become an NHL pest.

Wendy Crewson (disputed); the therapist; Daniel Hugh Kelly (debated)

David Morse and cinematographer John Lindley are proposed; Lindley is chosen for repeatedly elevating the images.

Culkin’s bankability: yes

Tom Hanks as Mark’s father

A prestige series is plausible but would lose the story’s compressed momentum

Wayne Jenkins, Fergie, Zaylo, the observed Robert Everence, and Dr. Charles Nichols are proposed; Zaylo is imagined interviewing Henry.

Macaulay Culkin

Mr. Highway

“Once you realize you can do anything, you’re free” is offered, along with practical lessons to hire a sitter and supervise a dangerous child.

Macaulay Culkin for performance; Kit Culkin as the shadow producer