My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done

Movie spotlight

My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done

2010
Movie
91 min
English

Brad has committed murder and barricaded himself inside his house. With the help of his friends and neighbours, the cops piece together the strange tale of how this nice young man arrived at such a dark place.

Insights

IMDb5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes61%
Metacritic57/100
Google Users65%
Director: Werner HerzogGenres: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A man's mental state deteriorates as he becomes increasingly obsessed with a role in a Greek tragedy, leading him to commit a heinous act. His estranged mother struggles to understand his descent into madness while police attempt to piece together the events. The film blurs the lines between reality, delusion, and performance.

Critical Reception

Werner Herzog's distinctive style is on full display in 'My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done,' a film that polarized critics with its surreal narrative and dark humor. While some praised its artistic ambition and Herzog's unique vision, others found it to be eccentric and difficult to follow. The performances, particularly Michael Shannon's, were generally well-regarded.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unique, auteur-driven vision and Michael Shannon's compelling performance.

  • Criticized by some for its unconventional narrative structure and perceived lack of clarity.

  • Often described as a bizarre and darkly humorous exploration of madness and obsession.

Google audience: Audiences were divided, with many appreciating the film's artistic boldness and Herzog's signature directorial style. However, a significant portion found the plot confusing and the overall tone too eccentric. Michael Shannon's performance was frequently highlighted as a strong point.

Fun Fact

The film was inspired by a real-life murder case from 1979, where a San Diego man, Dean Corll, killed his mother after becoming delusional while rehearsing for a play.

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