My Son
Performance & Direction: My Son Review
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is My Son (2021) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and My Son features a noteworthy lineup led by James McAvoy . Supported by the likes of Claire Foy and Tom Cullen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of My Son (2021) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: My Son
Quick Plot Summary: My Son is a Thriller, Crime, Drama film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. When a man's only son goes missing, he travels to the town where his ex-wife lives in search of answers. To play a man whose life is clouded by mystery, McAvoy will not be given a script of dialogue. Information is revealed strategically, keeping viewers engaged as they piece together clues alongside the protagonist. The narrative maintains momentum through well-timed revelations and unexpected turns.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening scene plants the seeds of mystery, introducing questions that will drive the narrative forward.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: All mysteries converge in a climax that recontextualizes earlier events and delivers satisfying answers.
Ending Explained: My Son
Ending Breakdown: My Son concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of My Son reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
My Son Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
My Son incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, crime, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: My Son adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch My Son?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Thriller films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want suspenseful moments and mystery
Box Office Collection: My Son
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $962.7K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Top Cast: My Son
All Cast & Crew →








Where to Watch My Son Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTubeMy Son Parents Guide & Age Rating
2021 AdvisoryWondering about My Son age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of My Son is 95 minutes (1h 35m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.2/10, and global collection metrics, My Son stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2021 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Son worth watching?
My Son is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find My Son parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for My Son identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of My Son?
The total duration of My Son is 95 minutes, which is approximately 1h 35m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked My Son
How My Son Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for My Son
Full Analysis at Spotamovie.com - **Intro** - My Son is an experimental project. As in the French project, the protagonist, James McAvoy, in the role of Edmond Murray, didn’t receive the script of the movie. Therefore, he improvised his dialogues while all the other actors knew their roles and talks. An interesting experiment. But did it work? We will tell you in the analysis section below. We can say now that My Son is not your typical thriller and that you will fall in love with the spectacular landscapes of the Highlands of Scotland. Instead, the film highlights the role of justice and a different way to approach it. We will tell you more later in our analysis. - **The Story** - Edmond is going back to his ex-wife because their son disappeared. The police start their investigation, discovering several details about our characters and hidden secrets. Their son vanished among all the boys; we and the police want to know why he? What happened? How Ethan’s parents are going to deal with his absence? A thriller opens a lot of questions, are we going to find our answers? Let’s dive into our analysis at https://www.spotamovie.com/my-son-movie-review-and-explanation-2021-movie/
James McAvoy ("Murray") is the ex-husband of "Joan" (Claire Foy) who is terrified when he hears the news that their young son "Ethan" has gone missing from a campsite amidst the forests and streams of the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The police - led by "Insp. Roy" (Gary Lewis) are out in force but gradually "Murray" starts to think that his son has been deliberately kidnapped. Front and centre on his list of suspects is her new boyfriend "Frank" (Tom Cullen) - but why? "Murray" has a past working in sensitive areas around the world so could this be a ransom scenario; or something altogether more sinister? Foy hardly features here, nor - for that matter - does Cullen. This is essentially just a strong personal performance from McAvoy as the desperate, distraught, father - but that is about all we get here. The story is weak and lurches rather than develops, especially given that the plausibility of the ultimate scenario in this most remote of rural locations does raise some eyebrows. The USP of this is that McAvoy improvised his dialogue - but unless you were aware of this in advance, you wouldn't know and indeed what he does deliver is no better than the usual expletive-ridden verbiage that we might have expected from the pen of many a mediocre thriller writer on a tight budget, and honestly I struggled to get into this. The lighting? Well - some extra wattage need not have compromised the look of the film, but it might have made it more attractive and easier for us to follow. It is worth watching for a few scenes in which McAvoy reminds us why he made it on the big screen, but the rest of this is little better than a made-for-television crime drama that offers little I will remember.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with James McAvoy








