The Good Son

19931 hour 27 minsREnglish

HorroRated verdict

Worth a Look

1990sPsychologicalEvil ChildrenFamily HorrorSlow Burn

Directed by: Joseph Ruben
Written by: Ian McEwan
Produced by: Daniel Rogosin, Ezra Swerdlow, Mary Ann Page, Joseph Ruben, Michael E. Steele

Collections

Psychological Family Horror Evil Children Slow Burn

Why it’s HorroRated

The Good Son is a tightly wound thriller elevated almost entirely by Macaulay Culkin playing completely against type. His performance as Henry is unsettling in ways that surprised audiences used to seeing him as the Home Alone kid. Elijah Wood holds his own. The film doesn't entirely stick the landing but Culkin's work makes it worth it.

Synopsis

The film withholds its confirmation carefully and keeps the threat in the domestic space where it's most effective. Macaulay Culkin playing entirely against the Home Alone persona is the main reason to watch and his performance is committed in ways that genuinely surprised audiences at the time. Elijah Wood holds his own opposite him.