My Son

Synopsis

My Son (Mon fils à moi) is a gripping French drama directed by Martial Fougeron that delves into the intense and complex relationship between a controlling mother and her young son. Nathalie Baye delivers a powerful performance as the mother whose overwhelming obsession with her child leads to a psychological exploration of love, control, and fear. The film provides an intimate look at the dynamics within a family strained by emotional tension, portraying the subtle and sometimes disturbing ways parental anxiety can affect a child's development. Through its subtle storytelling and strong character study, My Son offers a poignant examination of maternal attachment and its potential consequences.

Cast

• 

  Nathalie Baye

  Mother / La mère

• 

  Olivier Gourmet

  Father / Le père

• Victor Sévaux

  Julien / Son

• 

  Marie Kremer

  Suzanne / Sister / la sœur

• Valentine Stach

  Alice / Julien's Girlfriend / La copine de Julien

• 

  Emmanuelle Riva

  Grandmother / La grand-mère

Reviews

Critics have generally praised My Son for its intense character portrayal and the outstanding performance of Nathalie Baye. On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 6.8/10, indicating a moderately positive reception from audiences. Many reviewers highlighted the film's unflinching look at an emotionally charged subject, with some describing it as a chilling and thought-provoking psychological drama. For instance, a review from AlloCiné commended Baye's nuanced depiction of a mother whose love borders on obsession. However, some critics found the pacing slow and the narrative too focused on the mother’s perspective, which could alienate viewers looking for a more balanced storyline. On Metacritic, while the film does not have a large number of reviews, those available point to strong acting but critique the film's limited exploration beyond the central relationship. Overall, My Son is seen as a compelling but sometimes challenging drama that benefits greatly from its lead performance but may not appeal to everyone due to its heavy emotional themes and intimate focus.