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:

Jealousy | Young Boy | Aunt | Business Trip | Grief

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

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 original director Michael Lehmann was replaced due to clashes with Macaulay Culkin's father.

Goofs:

Continuity: The bed shown in Richard's room at the beginning of the movie, seen by Mark, is not the same bed or bed spread shown later in the movie when the mother and father are in Richard's room.

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 "That '70s Show: The Good Son (#1.25)" (1999)

Good. Dark. Realistic.

This is one of my favorite movies. Macaulay Culkin was excellent in this. The Good Son is about Mark(Elijah Wood), a young boy suffering in the recent loss of his mother, going to visit his aunt, uncle, and two cousins in Maine while his dad takes a business trip to Tokyo. Cousin Henry Evans(Macaulay Culkin) is Mark's age and they soon become good friends and have loads of fun each day, but soon Mark starts to see another side of Henry when they start putting some of Henry's ideas into action, including throwing a dummy called Mr.Highway over an overpass that causes a huge multi car wreck and a big smile on Henry's face, and shooting a dog with a homemade gun. Mark starts to think Henry deliberatly tried to kill his liitle brother years ago, and is plotting to kill the rest of the family. This movie is a bit disturbing, but good all the same.

Rated R for Violence and Language.