Movie Review Flashback- The Good Son

This film was released in 1993.

The Good Son is a 1993 horror film directed by Joseph Rubens and written by English novelist Ian McEwan. It was released by 20th Century Fox and was a moderate box-office success.

After his mother, Janice (Ashley Crow), dies, her widowed husband, Jack (David Morse), sends their son, Mark (Elijah Wood), to live with his brother, Wallace (Daniel Hugh Kelly), and his wife, Susan (Wendy Crewson). Their son Henry (Macaulay Culkin) and daughter Connie (Quinn Culkin) welcome Mark into their home. At first, Mark and Henry get along well. Still, after his cousin starts to exhibit sinister behavior, including causing a massive car accident, Mark begins to wonder if Henry is evil.

I would just like to say, the acting is phenomenal. Wood and Culkin have excellent chemistry. The former is the grieving son who comes to think of his aunt as a mother. The latter is sinister, providing all of the chills with each escalation of behavior. The rest of the cast does a good job as well, complementing the two of them as the story progresses.

My only complaint about the movie is that it just sort of ends. While a closing narration tries to tie it up, it would have benefited from an additional scene to better set up the context or consequences of the climax. There was also a well where Henry would drop items that he believed belonged to him. It would have had a greater impact if Susan had found it or Mark had discovered what else was in there.

Aside from that, the story is solid. You definitely feel the tingling down the spine as Henry begins to subtly threaten and later overtly threaten Mark, not to mention framing him. As the plot moves forward, you are hooked from beginning to end to see where it will land.

The only major accolade that the movie received was “Best Performance by a Younger Actor” for Elijah Wood at the 1994 Saturn Awards. It is a shame because it earns a second look.

Though related, the film acknowledged this, the movie took inspiration from The Bad Seed. We have the sinister child whose parents are blinded to it, though this one adds in a cousin as a juxtaposition. It had that angle, though it stands on its own.

Bottom line, The Good Son is a true horror film of the nineties. It keeps you on the edge of your seat as you watch dynamite performances from its young stars.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Foul language, Frightening images, Disturbing sequences

FAVORITE QUOTE: I do face it. I face it every day.

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, anime, movie, or novel you would like me to review.