Like Father Like Son

Like Father Like Son

Year: 1987

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Rod Daniel

FantasyComedyCrude humor and satireTeen school antics and laughterGags jokes and slapstick humor

When work‑obsessed Dr. Jack Hammond’s teen son Chris and his father accidentally drink a brain‑exchange serum, they swap bodies. The dad must navigate school with a fake ID and a gold card, while Chris handles clinic duties and a coveted Jag. Their mishaps cause comedic chaos and give each a deeper understanding of the other’s struggles.

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!

Timeline – Like Father Like Son (1987)

Trace every key event in Like Father Like Son (1987) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Brain-Transference Serum is Introduced

In the Hammond household, Trigger reveals a body-swapping serum and demonstrates its power by swapping the minds of his own pets. He explains the mechanism: the serum works after ingestion and the next person who meets eyes with the user switches bodies. The bottle is kept in a Tabasco sauce container and hidden in the food cupboard by Phyllis.

Evening Hammond house
2

The Switch Triggers When Jack Drinks the Serum

Unwittingly, Jack drinks the serum in his Bloody Mary, setting the plan in motion. He later locks eyes with his son, and the two swap bodies. The morning after, both wake to realize their minds are trapped in each other's bodies.

Morning Hammond house
3

Wake-Up Call: Realizing They Swapped

The morning after the swap, Jack and Chris wake up screaming, realizing they are not dreaming. They confirm they have swapped bodies and begin to navigate each other’s lives. They vow to find a way to reverse the changes while keeping up with their responsibilities.

Morning Hammond house
4

Role Reversal: School and Hospital

Jack, in Chris's body, goes to high school hoping to blend in and manage Chris's social life. Chris, in Jack's body, goes to the hospital and immediately faces the unusual duties of being his father’s persona. The day forces them to cope with unfamiliar expectations in two different worlds.

Morning Hammond High School and City General Hospital
5

School Day Fallout

In Chris's body, Jack uses his father's blunt approach to highlight classroom troublemakers, which earns him suspicion and scorn from peers. He takes Lori to a concert but the overpowering music dissipates the mood. During the relay race, his performance falters, and Rick takes the opportunity to attack him.

Afternoon Hammond High School
6

Hospital Realities and Ethics

Meanwhile, Chris (in Jack's body) navigates hospital life with Jack's medical knowledge, handing out pills and observing reactions. He seconds a motion proposing that the hospital could treat patients without insurance, exposing Jack's blunt stance. The tension at work grows as colleagues sense something is off.

Day City General Hospital
7

Call to Uncle Earl

Trigger and the two men finally contact Earl, their only lead to the antidote. Earl explains that reversing the swap will require a trip to Death Valley for a key ingredient. They commit to the journey despite the obstacles.

Day Hammond residence / by phone
8

Death Valley Quest for the Ingredient

After some misadventures, they embark toward Death Valley to obtain the antidote’s essential component. They locate the ingredient and, with Earl’s help, prepare to brew the antidote. The journey is tense but they persevere.

Day Death Valley
9

Antidote Ingested; Initial Delay

The antidote is consumed, but the swap does not reverse immediately. Earl explains that the effects can take time to manifest. They wait anxiously, hoping the minds will reconnect soon.

Evening Death Valley
10

Antidote Works: Back to Their Own Bodies

At last the antidote activates and Jack and Chris revert to their real bodies. They race to a meeting, trying to salvage what they can from the day. The characters must confront the consequences of their actions while returning to normal life.

Evening Death Valley / City General Hospital corridor
11

Chief of Staff Meeting and Aftermath

Back in their own bodies, they rush to the Chief of Staff meeting, where Chris speaks up to advocate for his father’s promotion. The boss reveals he’s aware of Chris’s misdeeds while in Jack’s body, and he refuses the promotion. Jack declares he would rather spend overtime with his son than pursue the job.

Evening Hospital boardroom
12

Trigger's Final Twist: Rick Becomes the Catalyst

Trigger hands Rick the Brain-Transference Serum, intending to sow further chaos. The next person who looks into Rick’s eyes is Dr. Larry Armbruster, Jack’s employer, and the two men are shown screaming as their bodies switch. The movie ends on this last, escalating swap.

Night City hospital corridor

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:20

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

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 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Like Father Like Son, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Like Father Like Son Summary

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.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Like Father Like Son

More About Like Father Like Son

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Like Father Like Son: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Like Father Like Son

Similar Movies to Like Father Like Son

Discover movies like Like Father Like Son that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.