The Good Son (1993)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Joseph Ruben

Writer (WGA):

Ian McEwan (written by)

Release Date:

24 September 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

In a quiet town...In a comfortable home...In a perfect body...Evil can be as close as someone you love.

Plot:

A young boy stays with his aunt and uncle, and befriends his cousin who's the same age. But his cousin begins showing increasing signs of psychotic behavior.

Plot Keywords:

Aunt | Jealousy | Young Boy | Crossbow | Business Trip

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 20

10:00 AM

MAX

Cast

Macaulay Culkin	...	Henry Evans
Elijah Wood	...	Mark Evans
Wendy Crewson	...	Susan Evans
David Morse	...	Jack
Daniel Hugh Kelly	...	Wallace Evans
Jacqueline Brookes	...	Alice Davenport
Quinn Culkin	...	Connie Evans
Ashley Crow	...	Janice
Guy Strauss	...	Arizona Doctor
Keith Brava	...	Doctor in Blackport
Jerem Goodwin	...	Factory Worker
Andria Hall	...	Reporter
Bobby Huber	...	Axe Man
Mark Stefanich	...	Ice Man
Susan Hopper	...	Woman at Rescue

MPAA:

Rated R for acts of violence and terror involving a disturbed child.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #32478) | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Chile:18 | Germany:16 | Ireland:15 | Norway:15 (theater release) | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | South Korea:15 (DVD rating) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Beverly, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The sight on Henry's crossbow is a hood ornament from a Buick Riviera.

Goofs:

Continuity: Mark's grip on Henry's mother's arm at the end.

Quotes:

Susan: We'll get you help, hon.
Henry: You don't look too good, Mom. Looks like you need the help.
Susan: You're going to have to trust me, Henry.
Henry: No... no I can't... you just want to send me away, don't you?
Susan: Why no, no I don't.
Henry: You're going to put me in one of those places...
Susan: Henry...
Henry: I'd much rather die, you hear me? I'd much rather be dead!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Frasier: The Good Son (#1.1)" (1993)

A Nasty and Disturbing Film.

Macaulay Culkin plays a boy named Henry who is a very disturbed child and secretly a murderer. Elijah Wood plays his little cousin who has found this out and tries to stop him while all of the adults are against him. This film really bothered me. I could never imagine myself being put into such a harrowing situation. The fact that the killer is such a nasty and horrible kid really adds to how horrible it is that nobody believes it when he's told that he's a murderer. What bothers me the most about the film, however, is not the plot and the situations that the characters put themselves in. It is the way the very movie ends. It involves a child being dropped off of a cliff. I will not say which of the two kids dies, nor will I bother to describe the series of events leading up to it. However, the decision involved in the murdering of the child and who has to do it just really freaks me out. I really don't know how on earth I would be able to live with myself if I were a parent and had to go through with what happens at the climax of the film. What bothers me even more about the ending is that, after the child is killed, the music, the tone, and the reactions are totally inappropriate and over-the-top to the situation. I don't think a film has left such a horrible taste in my mouth since MYSTIC RIVER. The climax made me angry and frightened. It left me so angry and frightened that I have a hard time recommending the film to anybody because I don't think even my worst enemies deserve to feel such a bad feeling after a film. It's well made, but ultimately just plain nasty.