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Timeline

My Son (2021) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2021 · English
Echo score 49
JustWatch #2,569 26
Directed by
Christian Carion
Starring
Claire Foy, James McAvoy, Andrew John Tait, Jamie Michie, Mark Barrett, Max Wilson

This gripping drama follows Hunter as his pursuit of a lavish lifestyle leads to an unexpected connection with a young stripper. Their relationship quickly becomes complicated when Grace finds herself drawn into the controversial dealings of Hunter Biden. The story explores a world of excess and deception, revealing a hidden truth as the drama unfolds.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like My Son
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch My Son (2021)

Where can you watch My Son? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and Tubi TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

My Son Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of My Son (2021) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Ethan's Disappearance

    Edmond Murray arrives at the scene of his son Ethan's mysterious disappearance. The chaotic environment is marked by fear and urgency, as everyone involved grapples with the shocking event.

  2. Confronting Joan

    Upon arriving, Edmond meets his ex-wife Joan, who is distraught over their son's vanishing. He offers her comfort during this harrowing time, trying to support her amidst the turmoil.

  3. Police Interview

    Edmond participates in a police interview where he faces intense scrutiny regarding his son's disappearance. Tensions rise as officers question him about his whereabouts and involvement.

  4. Confrontation with Frank

    After the police interview, Edmond seeks out Joan's new partner, Frank, leading to a heated discussion. This confrontation escalates when Edmond uncovers Frank's reckless plans and inappropriate actions toward Joan.

    Where
    Kitchen
  5. Physical Altercation

    Things turn violent when Edmond and Frank get into a physical fight in the kitchen. In an emotional outburst, Edmond knocks Frank unconscious, highlighting the desperation he feels for his son's safety.

    Where
    Kitchen
  6. Arrest and Release

    Though Edmond is arrested due to the altercation with Frank, the charges are dropped when Frank chooses not to press them. This moment emphasizes the emotional unraveling Edmond is experiencing amid the chaos.

  7. Removed from Investigation

    Inspector Roy arrives to inform Edmond that he has been removed from the investigation. The lack of explanation leaves Edmond feeling powerless in his pursuit to find his son.

  8. Discovering Damning Videos

    In a twist of fate, Edmond discovers Frank's phone containing incriminating videos of Ethan in the days leading up to his disappearance. This discovery reignites Edmond’s determination to find his son.

  9. Tracking the Vehicle

    With help from Joan's brother, Edmond follows leads to track down the owner of a suspicious vehicle seen in the videos. His relentless pursuit pushes him further into dangerous territory.

  10. Ambush and Interrogation

    Edmond ambushes an individual associated with the car, using a crowbar to great effect. Under duress from a brutal interrogation, the stranger reveals information about the kidnapping of children.

  11. Learning Ethan's Location

    Time is critical as Edmond learns the whereabouts of his son, prompting an immediate response. He races against time to save Ethan from his captors before it’s too late.

    Where
    Nearby Lodge
  12. Confrontation with Captors

    Edmond successfully disables the captors' vehicle and faces one of the henchmen head-on. In a dramatic rescue, he manages to save Ethan from his dangerous situation.

    Where
    Lodge
  13. Aftermath and Escape

    However, their escape is interrupted when Edmond is shot, leading to a harrowing crash. This moment illustrates the life-threatening nature of his quest to save his son.

  14. Final Reunion

    In a poignant moment near the water, Joan and Ethan find solace as Edmond fights for their safety. Despite the chaos, they share a fleeting moment of peace amidst the ongoing turmoil.

    Where
    By the water
  15. A Tearful Goodbye

    As the ordeal comes to a close, Inspector Roy advises Edmond to leave for their safety. The farewell is filled with emotion as Edmond watches Joan and Ethan, hopeful for the future yet burdened by their recent trauma.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 23:10

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Timeline questions answered

My Son Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of My Son (2021): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Edmond removed from the investigation?

Inspector Roy removes Edmond from the investigation without explanation after he assaults Frank. This leaves Edmond feeling powerless and forces him to take matters into his own hands. The removal effectively pushes Edmond toward his increasingly dangerous solo investigation, which ultimately leads him to discover the child kidnapping ring.

  • edmond murray
  • inspector roy
  • investigation
  • removed
  • police
Q2

What did the videos on Frank's phone show?

The videos on Frank's phone showed Ethan in the days leading up to his disappearance. Edmond noticed a car appearing in both videos, which became the crucial clue that helped him track down the kidnappers. The discovery of these videos reignited Edmond's determination to find his son and set him on the path to the dangerous confrontation at the lodge.

Foreshadowing: The car had been barely visible in the background of the videos, a detail that would prove crucial to solving the case.

  • frank
  • videos
  • ethan
  • phone
  • car
  • kidnapping
Q3

Who was the man Edmond interrogated with the blowtorch?

The man Edmond ambushed was associated with the vehicle seen in the videos of Ethan. Under duress from Edmond's brutal interrogation involving a blowtorch, the stranger admitted to facilitating the kidnapping of children by sending their photos to interested parties. This interrogation revealed the existence of a larger child kidnapping network and provided Edmond with the location where Ethan was being held.

  • blowtorch
  • interrogation
  • kidnapper
  • network
  • children
Q4

How did Edmond find out where Ethan was being held?

After learning about the kidnapping network from the man he interrogated, Edmond discovered that Ethan was being held at a nearby lodge. With time running out, he rushed to the location, disabled the captors' vehicle, and confronted one of their henchmen to successfully rescue his son. The entire rescue mission was a race against time before the kidnappers could move Ethan again.

  • lodge
  • ethan
  • rescue
  • captors
  • location
Q5

Why does Edmond have to say goodbye to Ethan at the end?

Edmond has to leave because he is being pursued by law enforcement. Despite rescuing Ethan and helping Inspector Roy locate the kidnapping ring, Edmond used violent methods including assault and torture that made him a criminal himself. Inspector Roy advises him to flee for the family's safety, leading to a tearful goodbye. The bittersweet ending shows Edmond watching from a distance as Joan and Ethan fly their remote-controlled quadcopter, hopeful but uncertain about their future together.

Foreshadowing: The remote-controlled quadcopter that Ethan flies at the end symbolizes both freedom and the lingering distance between father and son.

  • goodbye
  • ethan
  • edmond
  • police
  • flee
  • shot
Q6

What happened to Frank after Edmond knocked him out?

Although Edmond was arrested for the physical altercation in the kitchen, Frank chose not to press charges. Frank overlooked the incident, acknowledging that Edmond was experiencing an emotional breakdown over his son's disappearance. This decision allowed Edmond to avoid criminal charges from that specific incident, though it did not restore his position in the investigation.

  • frank
  • fight
  • arrested
  • charges
  • kitchen
Q7

How did Inspector Roy help Edmond and his family?

Inspector Roy initially removed Edmond from the investigation but ultimately supported the rescue mission. When Edmond discovered Ethan's location at the lodge, Roy was informed and accompanied Joan and Ethan to safety. After the rescue, Roy helped orchestrate the family's escape and provided cover for Edmond while he was shot during the confrontation. Roy also hinted that Edmond's actions would be crucial in court decisions regarding the kidnapped children network that would soon be taken down.

  • inspector roy
  • police
  • rescue
  • help
  • network
Q8

Why was the quadcopter significant at the end of the movie?

The remote-controlled quadcopter that Ethan flies at the end serves as a poignant symbol of childhood innocence returning after the traumatic ordeal. The serene scene by the water and mountains contrasts sharply with the violent events that preceded it, representing hope and normalcy. However, Edmond's inability to join them as he must flee from authorities adds bittersweet tension to this peaceful moment.

  • quadcopter
  • ending
  • ethan
  • symbol
  • peace
Q9

What happened to the child kidnapping ring?

Edmond's desperate actions ultimately exposed and compromised the extensive child kidnapping ring. Through his interrogation of the stranger and the subsequent rescue of Ethan, Edmond provided Inspector Roy with critical information about the network. Roy hinted that Edmond's crucial actions would play a pivotal role in any future court decisions as the authorities prepared to take down the entire operation.

  • kidnapping ring
  • network
  • police
  • court
  • inspector roy
Q10

Why did Edmond attack Frank in the kitchen?

Edmond attacked Frank after learning two disturbing facts: Frank had plans to buy a new home that lacked proper accommodations for Ethan, showing disregard for the child's needs, and Frank had been giving Joan Valium to help her cope with her distress over Ethan's disappearance. These revelations, combined with Edmond's emotional devastation over his son's disappearance, caused him to spiral into a violent rage and confront Frank physically.

  • frank
  • attack
  • kitchen
  • valium
  • home

Movie threads

More Movies Like My Son, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes My Son tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

High-stakes rescue thrillers like My Son

Stories of frantic, high-stakes pursuits where every second counts. If you enjoyed the frantic energy and desperate search in 'My Son', you'll find more movies like it here. This collection features similar stories of urgent rescues, missing persons, and high-pressure investigations where the pacing is fast and the emotional stakes are immense. These films deliver a tense, gripping experience from start to finish.

  • urgent
  • desperate
  • frantic
  • high-stakes
  • anxious
  • gut-wrenching
  • Tone: tense, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a simple but powerful structure: a single, devastating event triggers a direct and urgent mission. The protagonist is typically an ordinary person pushed to their limits, often operating outside the law or societal norms. The plot is a linear journey with increasing obstacles, leading to a finale that resolves the immediate crisis but often at a significant personal cost.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared core experience: a relentless sense of urgency and high emotional stakes. They feature fast pacing, a tense tone, and straightforward plots centered on a desperate goal, creating a cohesive vibe of anxiety-driven action and heavy emotional weight.

Vigilante parent dramas similar to My Son

When the system fails, a parent takes justice into their own hands. For viewers who liked the theme of a father bypassing the law in 'My Son', this list features more movies about parents seeking vengeance. These dramas and thrillers focus on broken families, the failure of official systems, and the heavy consequences of taking justice into one's own hands, blending crime investigation with deep personal trauma.

  • vengeful
  • desperate
  • grim
  • traumatic
  • tense
  • violent
  • Tone: tense, dark
  • Pacing: steady, building to fast
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is triggered by a violent crime against a family member, revealing the inadequacies of conventional justice. The protagonist, typically a parent, adopts aggressive and morally ambiguous methods, leading to a violent confrontation with the perpetrators. The journey explores the psychological toll of vengeance, often culminating in a resolution that saves the victim but leaves the protagonist physically or emotionally scarred, with the family forever changed.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their central theme of a parent transforming into a vigilante after a family tragedy. They share a heavy emotional weight, explore disturbing themes, and feature a tense, high-intensity tone focused on the moral complexities of extra-legal justice.

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Every angle

My Son (2021) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about My Son in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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