My Son (2021) – A Father’s Desperate Search in the Face of Darkness

In the silence of the Highlands, a father’s love is tested beyond reason.

My Son (2021) is a tense mystery thriller directed by Christian Carion, starring James McAvoy and Claire Foy. What makes this film remarkable is its unique production approach: McAvoy was never given a script, forcing him to improvise every scene as his character, adding raw authenticity to his performance. The result is a gripping story that feels both unpredictable and emotionally devastating.

The plot follows Edmond Murray (James McAvoy), a father who returns to the Scottish Highlands after his young son suddenly goes missing. Divorced from his wife Joan (Claire Foy), Edmond is consumed with guilt for having been absent in his son’s life. As he begins his desperate search, his journey uncovers chilling layers of mystery, leading to dangerous encounters and revelations that put him on the edge of collapse.

Unlike traditional thrillers, My Son thrives on emotional realism. The improvised performance creates genuine reactions to shocking discoveries, capturing the raw desperation of a parent in crisis. McAvoy’s portrayal of Edmond is harrowing and deeply human, while Claire Foy’s role as the grieving mother adds weight and sorrow to the story’s emotional core.

The Scottish landscape itself becomes a character in the film—bleak, isolated, and unforgiving. This backdrop amplifies the sense of despair and uncertainty, making the story not just about one missing child, but about how far a parent will go when faced with unimaginable loss. My Son is less about solving a mystery and more about confronting the raw, painful reality of parental love and the darkness that threatens it.