Life of a man, shaped by many factors, yet few are as strong as his relationship with his father.
Two factors often strain the distance between fathers and their sons—apart from death: the relationship with the mother and the pursuit of money, career!
A father figure doesn’t have to be biological, as portrayed in Man of Steel (2013). Whether you’re a son looking up to one or a young man stepping into the role, the lessons passed down from fathers are some of the most important you’ll ever receive—one might argue otherwise.
With this deep appreciation for fatherhood and sonhood, here’s a selection of movies that offer valuable insights into the father-son relationship.
(1). Ad Astra (2019)
Directed by James Gray, Ad Astra stars Brad Pit as Roy Clifford who sets out on a mission across the solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father, Clifford McBride following a series of power surges. As one of the few sci-fi thrillers exploring father-son relationships, Ad Astra powerfully depicts the complexities of absent-father dynamics, rendering it a ‘feel-better’ choice for a “Dad was never around,” audience and those who have lost their fathers to war, or work-related incidents. The film digs into father-son love and desire, but on the dark side, it’s bent on obsession, isolation, and self-guilt.
(2). October Sky (1999)
October Sky is an inspirational family film centered on Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s son, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who is driven to build rockets. Directed by Joe Johnston and based on the book Rocket Boys, the movie details a powerful father-son dynamic of a son struggling to gain his father’s understanding and support for his dream of building rockets.
This tension often stems from differing perspectives.
(3). Chef (2014)
A comedy-drama starring Jon Favreau as Carl Casper, a chef who teams up with his teenage son Percy, played by Emjay Anthony, to run a food truck after losing his job at a restaurant. This movie is a perfect fit for single parents raising sons, besides sons growing up in single-parent households. Featuring a stellar cast, including Scarlett Johansson and John Leguizamo, Chef is humorous and fulfilling.
(4). Boyhood (2014)
One of the longest productions in film history, Boyhood was filmed over 12 years. The story follows a single-parent household where Ethan Hawke plays Mason Sr., a father with weekend visitation rights to his daughter and son, Mason Jr., portrayed by Ellar Coltrane. While the film leans more toward single-mother parenting, the father-son relationship stands out as a significant and impactful element, despite the father’s unconventional lifestyle and choices.
(5). The Tender Bar (2021)
Adapted from J.R. Moehringer’s 2005 memoir The Tender Bar, the film follows 9-year-old J.R. Maguire, who moves into his grandfather’s house and finds a father figure in his Uncle Charlie, portrayed by Ben Affleck. With a group of bar regulars by his side, Uncle Charlie steps in to fill the paternal void while J.R.’s mother navigates her own struggles. Directed by George Clooney, The Tender Bar is one resonant father-son story.
(6). The Son (2022)
Directed by Florian Zeller, The Son (2022) explores the complexities of fatherhood, mental health, and strained father-son relationships. Starring Hugh Jackman as Peter, the film follows a father trying to reconnect with his troubled teenage son, Nicholas, played by Zen McGrath. As Peter juggles his new family and demanding career, he struggles to understand Nicholas’s emotional turmoil, forcing him to confront his own past mistakes and unresolved issues with his father.
Read Full Review: The Son (Movie Review) – Teenage Grapples with Depression.
(7). Live By Night (2016)
Live by Night, a gangster film directed by Ben Affleck intertwines a gripping father-son narrative. In one of the early scenes, the quote, “What you put out into the world will always come back to you, but never how you predict,” sets the tone for the father’s words to play a crucial role in the story. The film underscores the idea that failing to heed this wisdom risks mirroring the very fate a father strives to protect his son from.
Widely regarded as one of Affleck’s finest directorial efforts, the film beautifully portrays a father’s love, guidance, and counsel about life choices, their consequences, and the sacrifices made for family. The closing scene of Live by Night provides a powerful and memorable conclusion, making it the perfect way to end any list of father-son movies.
Read Full Review: Live By Night (Movie Review) – Ben Affleck’s Tale of Revenge, Love, and Redemption
