Like Father, Like Son

Like Father, Like Son

Year: 2014

Runtime: 121 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Hirokazu Koreeda

Drama

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.

Bittersweet
Bittersweet ending
Emotionally heavy
Medium intensity
Slow pacing
Moderate complexity

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Timeline & Setting – Like Father, Like Son (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Like Father, Like Son (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

Set in contemporary Japan, the film reflects modern family dynamics and societal expectations surrounding parenthood. It addresses themes of identity and familial ties in a time where traditional values clash with evolving lifestyles. The emotional journeys of the characters represent a significant turning point in how families navigate complex relationships.

Location

Hospital, Ryōta's Home, Saiki Family's Home

The story unfolds primarily in a hospital where the life-altering revelation occurs, and in the homes of both families, which act as emotional sanctuaries. The contrasting lifestyles of the two families are highlighted, showcasing modern aspirations intertwined with traditional values. These locations serve as backdrops for the deep emotional exchanges and transformative moments the characters experience.

🏥 Hospital 🏡 Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:23

Main Characters – Like Father, Like Son (2014)

Meet the key characters of Like Father, Like Son (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ryōta Nonomiya

Ryōta is a successful architect and a dedicated father torn between his career ambitions and familial responsibilities. He initially comes off as emotionally distant, but as the story unfolds, his character reveals layers of love and vulnerability. Ryōta’s journey reflects his struggle with identity and the reevaluation of what it means to be a father.

👨‍👦 Fatherhood 💼 Career ❤️ Emotional Growth

Midori Nonomiya

Midori is Ryōta’s supportive wife, who experiences the emotional turmoil of the revelation deeply. Her nurturing nature is evident as she navigates her conflicting feelings for her son Keita and her biological child Ryūsei. Midori's character represents the heart and emotional core of the family unit, embodying a sense of stability amidst chaos.

👩‍👦‍👦 Motherhood 💔 Heartbreak 🌱 Nurturing

Keita

Keita is the child who was raised by Ryōta and Midori, embodying innocence and the deep emotional implications of the switch. His character represents the love that has shaped his upbringing, revealing the complex layers of attachment between parent and child. As the story progresses, his interactions with both families leave a lasting impact on all involved.

👶 Childhood ❤️ Bonding 😢 Innocence

Ryūsei

Ryūsei, the biological son of Ryōta and Midori, grapples with feelings of identity throughout the film. Initially introduced as the 'other' child, his journey towards acceptance within his new family is fraught with emotional challenges. His character arc reflects the complexities of love, belonging, and the need for connection.

👦 Identity 💔 Struggle 🏃‍♂️ Escapism

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:23

Major Themes – Like Father, Like Son (2014)

Explore the central themes of Like Father, Like Son (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Family Bonds

The film deeply explores the concept of family, particularly the bonds formed through love versus biological ties. It portrays the emotional struggle of two families forced to redefine their relationships after a shocking revelation. Through the exchanges between the boys and their parents, the film beautifully illustrates the complexities of love and loss in familial contexts.

🤝 Identity

Identity plays a crucial role as the characters grapple with their true connections and the impact of their choices. The confusion resulting from the switch at birth challenges each character’s sense of self and belonging. This theme is explored poignantly through the characters' emotional journeys toward understanding who they truly are amidst significant change.

📷 Vulnerability

Vulnerability is a major theme depicted through moments of emotional exposure among the characters. Ryōta's discovery of Keita's photographs reveals hidden depths of connection and intimacy that challenge his understanding of fatherhood. The film poignantly highlights how vulnerability can lead to healing and deeper understanding in relationships.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:23

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Like Father, Like Son Summary

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