The Son (2019 Argentine film)

The Son (Spanish: El Hijo) is a 2019 Argentine psychological thriller film directed by Sebastián Schindel. The film stars Joaquín Furriel, Martina Gusmán, and Heidi Toini.

The story centers around Lorenzo (Furriel), a painter who becomes increasingly obsessed with his newborn son. His anxieties escalate when he begins to suspect his wife, Julieta (Gusmán), is not who she seems and might pose a danger to their child. Julieta, an advocate of natural childbirth and unconventional parenting methods, further fuels Lorenzo’s paranoia. The film explores themes of postpartum anxiety, gaslighting, and the pressures of modern parenthood.

The Son premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival and received generally positive reviews, with praise directed at Furriel's performance and the film's suspenseful atmosphere. It explores the complexities of relationships and the psychological toll of new parenthood. The film is known for its ambiguous narrative, leaving the audience to question the reliability of Lorenzo’s perspective and the true nature of the perceived threat.