The Son (2022) review

Companion piece to Zeller's 2020 film The Father has busy attorney Peter (Hugh Jackman) - currently living with his second wife Beth (Vanessa Kirby) and their new baby - having to take in his teenage son Nicholas (Zen McGrath) because he keeps skipping school and his mother Kate (Laura Dern) can't handle him ... and, as it turns out, neither can he.  Despite commanding performances by the cast - Anthony Hopkins makes an appearance - this is an intentionally vague depiction of mental illness (not to mention questionable parenting): even though he provides multiple clues he's in psychological distress (and needs medication and therapy), it takes a suicide attempt to land him in a hospital ... and then Peter and Kate completely ignore the medical advice given to them.  The director, who adapted his own play (with Christopher Hampton), does what he can to make it seem like it's not on a stage and more "cinematic," but he should probably work at toning down the melodrama: that last scene is a severe punch in the ribs.