Roger Ebert's Worst Nightmare? This 26%-Rated Horror He Called "Creepy, Unpleasant Experience"
This movie reveals an unusual side of young Macaulay Culkin but offers nothing else to viewers.
When legendary film critic Roger Ebert disliked something, he didn't mince words. This was especially true of horror movies and stories about creepy children, genres he deeply disliked.
Roger Ebert Gave 'The Good Son' Starring Macaulay Culkin a Devastating Review
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One of his most vitriolic targets was the 1993 psychological thriller The Good Son. The movie grossed a healthy amount at the box office but was panned by critics.
In his review, Ebert awarded the movie only half a star and wondered why anyone would waste their time and money on it. The critic said:
“Who in the world would want to see this movie? Watching The Good Son, I asked myself that question, hoping that perhaps the next scene would contain the answer, although it never did.
The movie is a creepy, unpleasant experience, made all the worse because it stars children too young to understand the horrible things we see them doing.”
What Is 'The Good Son' About?
The plot revolves around Henry (Macaulay Culkin), a seemingly perfect boy from a wealthy family. However, behind his obedient, good-boy facade is a cold, calculating sociopath who takes pleasure in cruelty and murder.
His true nature is accidentally revealed by his cousin, Mark (Elijah Wood), who has come to visit. After unwittingly witnessing Henry's monstrous actions, Mark finds himself in a deadly trap.
'The Good Son' Is One of Macaulay Culkin's Most Unusual Roles, but Don't Expect Much From the Movie
In the early 90s, Macaulay Culkin was the world's leading child star, firmly associated with his role as the mischievous yet kind Kevin McCallister in Home Alone. His role as Henry was a rare and bold attempt to change his image entirely by playing a young psychopath.
This contrast was both The Good Son's greatest asset and its greatest problem. On the one hand, seeing Culkin's angelic face commit atrocities creates strong dissonance.
On the other hand, Kevin's powerful image from Home Alone was so ingrained in viewers' minds that they couldn't take his villainous persona seriously – it evoked repulsion more than fear.
Furthermore, the movie suffers from superficial psychology. The screenwriters never clearly explain why Henry became a monster, nor do they show the connection between his upbringing and his pathological cruelty.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Good Son'?
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The Good Son has 26% from critics and 54% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.4/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Good Son scored 3.1/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Good Son'?
The Good Son is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
