Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Son’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Son’.
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One of the most difficult things that we will ever have go through in life, is watching our loved ones suffer from a severe illness. Because we are in essence, helpless when they come down with their affliction. For we are used to doing anything and everything for those we love, and we are more than happy to lift them up when they are in need. So, to watch them suffer and languish from afar is excruciating and cruel and it is an act that the universe knows how to exacerbate in the worst way possible, believe it or not. Because sometimes, this difficult moment is bestowed upon innocent children and the horror that comes from that is downright immeasurable.
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For all a parent can do is watch and worry as to whether or not their baby will recover from this awful turn of events and live a full and wonderful life or if this is the moment when they are robbed of a future and that more or less motivates a parent… to do whatever it takes to save their child. To the point where cost is no longer of concern because this is their flesh and blood, and they deserve every chance to grow, and they will fight for their survival until there is no hope left and they forced to say goodbye. But even then, there are a great deal of parents that will seek out further and more radical treatments, rather than mentally cross a finish line in regard to their children and these are the parents that we worry about during this particular time of strife. For their desire to see a child survive outweighs everything and could lead to more heartbreak and suffering if they don’t get what they want and it is that darker side to doing anything for the survival of a child that is central to our discussion today, since it serves as the focal theme of the new Shudder feature, Son.

Now in this particular tale, we are introduced to a mother named Laura who is suddenly dealing with that worst case scenario. For after a strange night at home, her eight-year-old son David has come down with a horrible illness, one that appears to be threatening his life. But a temporary recovery, one that leads to an unsettling discovery about that illness, puts Laura in a stunning position. Because now she knows exactly what it will take to cure her ailing son and in order to keep him healthy and going… she will have to make quite the powerful and devastating choice. In that, she can continue to find the unique food that her son craves to keep his bleeding at bay, or she can abandon her baby and let his evil secret consume him through and through and well… a mother’s endless love for her first and only son, will make this decision about as difficult as it gets. 

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Which is a plot that at first glance, makes it seem as though this story is going to focus heavily on the horrors of life. Specifically, what it means to watch a child’s health deteriorate and the helplessness that accompanies that, with a supernatural twist of course. But what it quickly transforms into, is a grand character study on the horrors of the choices that a parent has to make when their child is sick and that is quite the fresh and original twist. Because horror films in this vein, where the child is seized by evil, often focus on the cure and the priest or the hero that is meant to cast this evil out. So, to see Laura take matters into her own hands and make the hard calls and opt to feed her baby the horrible food he needs, really does make for some breathtaking and horrific moments on an intimate level.

Because having to go this route, rattles Laura to no end. For she is at her core a good person trying to do the right thing for her only son. But at the same time, she understands the cruelty involved in her decision and how it is impacting lives beyond her son’s and that truly serves as a powerful allegory. One that speaks to the fact that sometimes the best intentions can backfire and trying to do more when there is nothing left to do can cause more harm than good. But while that does lead to some poignant and powerful moments, make no mistake about it… this is a horror film through and through. One that features some downright disturbing feeding sequences and incredible gore to accompany them and as an added bonus, the sub plot revolving around a cult that Laura once belonged to adds depth and mythos to an already rich story.

All of which makes this one solid horror film in the end. For this one really has something for everyone from a fear standpoint. Since it is able to tap into our vast fears of the unknown, the kind that resonate on a primal level and it features plenty of real-world terror as well. Because it also puts forth the worst-case scenario for parents and reminds those of us who don’t have kids, how much we fear getting the call that someone in our family is in the hospital and might not wake up and well, that allows for this story to stay with you for some time after it has come to an end. So, if you’re looking for a refreshing horror film, one that finds a way to get under your skin in a non-traditional manner, then swing by Shudder this weekend when you have a little time and give this nightmarish masterpiece a look.

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