Like Father, Like Son
Year: 2014
Runtime: 121 min
Language: Japanese
Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
In modern Japan, architect Ryota’s meticulously planned life is thrown into turmoil when he learns his infant son was swapped at birth with another family’s child. Forced to confront this unexpected truth, Ryota must navigate a complex moral and emotional crisis, grappling with questions of identity, responsibility, and the very definition of family. As he interacts with the other family and his biological son, Ryota's rigid worldview begins to soften, leading to a profound understanding of human connection and the enduring power of love.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Like Father, Like Son yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Like Father, Like Son (2014) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Read the complete plot breakdown of Like Father, Like Son (2014), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Ryōta Nonomiya is a talented architect whose dedication to his career has led him to inadvertently neglect his wife, Midori, and their son, Keita. One day, Midori receives an alarming call from the hospital where Keita was born, and Ryōta immediately feels a sense of dread. Upon their arrival at the hospital, they are informed that due to a mix-up, their biological son, Ryūsei, was switched at birth with Keita. This shocking revelation forces the couple into a heart-wrenching dilemma: should they keep the son they have raised or reclaim their biological child?
As Ryōta and Midori delve deeper into this emotional turmoil, they meet Yukari and Yūdai Saiki, the other parents involved in this shocking mix-up. The Saikis, embodying a simpler and more grounded lifestyle, have a rich understanding of parental bonds and love. They share photographs and, for the first time, Ryōta and Midori catch a glimpse of their biological son, Ryūsei. After several emotional encounters, they decide to take a bold step and exchange children for just one Saturday. That day marks the beginning of a complex relationship structured by love and loss.
As time progresses, continued exchanges lead to the ultimate decision to swap children permanently. However, this decision is laden with emotional challenges as both families struggle to cope with the loss of their respective sons. Ryūsei experiences emotional turmoil and eventually runs away back to his biological family, prompting Ryōta to intervene and bring him back home.
In the thick of this challenge, Ryōta starts to form a bond with his biological son, Ryūsei, who gradually opens up to them as a family. However, amidst this healing, Ryōta discovers a touching series of photographs on Keita’s camera — images showcasing Ryōta in vulnerable moments, including many while he was asleep. This discovery overwhelms him with emotion, leading him to break down in tears.
The story culminates as Ryōta, now burdened with the weight of lost connections, returns to the Saiki family alongside his sons. As the families converge, hope emerges; they are not only returning to one another but also slowly stitching the bonds that have been torn apart. The film closes on a poignant note, with both families stepping back into the home, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for everyone involved.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 18:26
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Movies about identity and family crises like Like Father, Like Son
Stories where contemporary lives are disrupted by profound personal revelations.Find movies similar to Like Father, Like Son that explore modern dilemmas of identity and family. If you liked the emotional depth and moral complexity of Ryota's story, these films feature ordinary people grappling with life-shattering revelations about parenthood, love, and self.
Like Father, Like Son
2014
One True Thing
1998
Dear Frankie
2005
XXY
2008
Things We Lost in the Fire
2007
The Cake Eaters
2009
Gun Hill Road
2011
Here
2024
Nowhere Special
2024
His Three Daughters
2024
When Love Comes
2010
Things I Know to Be True
2017
Tenderness
2017
Though None Go with Me
2006
A Christmas Tale
2021
Narrative Summary
The narrative pattern typically begins with a stable, often meticulously controlled life that is suddenly fractured by an unavoidable truth or moral quandary. The plot then follows a gradual, internal journey as the protagonist navigates grief, confusion, and the difficult process of rebuilding their understanding of family and self, often without a clear-cut resolution.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped together because they share a focus on intimate, emotionally heavy dramas that use a specific personal crisis as a lens to examine broader themes of nature versus nurture, biological versus chosen bonds, and the true meaning of family in the modern world.
Slow burn emotional dramas like Like Father, Like Son
Films that build profound emotional impact through quiet, intimate storytelling.Discover movies with a similar pacing and emotional weight to Like Father, Like Son. These slow burn dramas focus on intimate character studies and heavy themes, delivering a bittersweet and contemplative viewing experience for those who appreciate deeply felt stories.
Drive My Car
2021
The Quiet Girl
2022
Louder Than Bombs
2016
Rabbit Hole
2010
Rails & Ties
2007
Things We Lost in the Fire
2007
Moonlight Mile
2002
Strange Weather
2017
Tenderness
2017
Longing
2017
Closing the Ring
2007
Dark Illness
1990
Fireflies in the Garden
2008
Character
1997
Daughter’s Daughter
2024
Narrative Summary
Stories in this thread unfold with a deliberate pace, emphasizing character development and emotional states over complex plotting. The central conflict is often internal—a struggle with grief, acceptance, or a fractured relationship. The climax is typically not an explosive event, but a quiet moment of realization or connection that carries the cumulative emotional weight of the entire film.
Why These Movies?
These movies are united by their specific combination of slow pacing, heavy emotional weight, and a bittersweet tone. They create a similar viewing atmosphere that is contemplative, deeply moving, and focused on the gradual unfolding of human emotion.
Unlock the Full Story of Like Father, Like Son
Don't stop at just watching — explore Like Father, Like Son in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Like Father, Like Son is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Like Father, Like Son Timeline
Track the full timeline of Like Father, Like Son with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Characters, Settings & Themes in Like Father, Like Son
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Like Father, Like Son. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
