The Good Son

After his mother's death, a young boy is sent to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. Initially, he bonds with his cousin, but soon begins to notice disturbing and violent behavior from the boy. As the cousin's actions escalate from disturbing pranks to outright dangerous acts, the protagonist must find a way to expose his cousin's true nature before he harms someone he cares about.

The film received generally negative reviews from critics, who found its premise disturbing and its execution uneven. While the performances of the young leads were sometimes noted, the movie was largely criticized for its dark and violent themes, especially given its association with child star Macaulay Culkin. Audiences were also divided, with many finding the film too unsettling.

• Praised for the performances of its young stars, particularly Elijah Wood's portrayal of the threatened protagonist.
• Criticized for its dark, violent, and often disturbing themes, which felt inappropriate for a film featuring a popular child actor.
• Considered a misstep for many, deviating sharply from the family-friendly image of its lead.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a dark and unsettling thriller, with some appreciating the performances but many expressing discomfort with the disturbing content and the dark turn of a beloved child star.

None notable.

Macaulay Culkin's younger brother, Rory Culkin, would later play a similar role in the 2002 horror film 'Signs', where he also plays a character that is in danger from an external threat.