Son in Law

Son in Law

Year: 1993

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: Steve Rash

DramaComedyRomance

A young woman from a small town finds her life unexpectedly changed when she encounters a charismatic and carefree man in Los Angeles. Rebecca introduces Crawl to her close-knit family for Thanksgiving, but he’s concealing a surprising secret: he’s posing as her fiancé. This heartwarming story explores themes of cultural differences, family, and the complications of modern romance as Rebecca and Crawl navigate their evolving relationship.

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Timeline – Son in Law (1993)

Trace every key event in Son in Law (1993) 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

Becca starts college and meets Crawl

Becca, the valedictorian from a South Dakota farm town, begins college in Los Angeles after being accepted. On her first day, she meets Fred 'Crawl' Weasel, the resident advisor of her coed dorm. The meeting foreshadows a cultural clash that will shape her new college life.

Becca's first day of college Los Angeles, Becca's dorm
2

Becca's college transformation

Becca begins to adopt her new college life: she cuts and dyes her hair, dresses in a Californian style, and even gets a butterfly tattoo. Crawl stays close, nudging her to explore this new identity and to stay open to the experience. The dynamic between them grows as she starts to fit into campus life.

Early weeks of college Los Angeles, Becca's dorm
3

Thanksgiving invitation

When Becca learns Crawl has nowhere to go during breaks, she invites him to South Dakota for Thanksgiving. He accepts, hoping to join her family and see what this new life could be. The invitation sets the stage for the clash of cultures to come.

Thanksgiving break South Dakota
4

Arrival and mood at Becca's home

During Thanksgiving dinner, Becca's family and her boyfriend Travis react to Becca's changed appearance and Crawl's growing role in her life. Becca realizes Travis had planned to propose, and she tries to intervene, but Crawl claims he has already proposed and Becca accepted. The family mood shifts as loyalties and expectations collide.

Thanksgiving dinner Becca's family home, South Dakota
5

Crawl begins farming duties

Crawl shows a budding interest in farming and begins learning the daily chores. He bumbles through the tasks at first, drawing amused smiles from Walter and his farmhand Theo. Yet his persistence earns him a place in the family's routine.

During Thanksgiving visit Becca's family farm, South Dakota
6

Earns trust through CPR

When Walter's father has a heart attack, Crawl performs CPR and helps save him. Walter's trust in Crawl grows as he proves his steadiness and willingness to help in a crisis.

During Thanksgiving visit Becca's family farm, South Dakota
7

Family bonding through tech and compliments

Crawl impresses Becca's little brother Zack with his computer skills, and Zack begins to see him as a big brother. He also compliments Connie's appearance and helps to draw her out of her shell, strengthening the family bond. The ensemble starts to warm to Crawl in a surprisingly rapid shift.

During Thanksgiving visit Becca's family home, South Dakota
8

Tracy arrives and the bachelor party invite

While shopping for clothes, Crawl meets Becca's friend Tracy. Travis apologizes to Crawl for hitting him and invites him to his bachelor party, linking Crawl to the wedding plans in Becca's life.

During Thanksgiving visit South Dakota
9

The morning after and the wedding plan fallout

The next morning, Becca finds Crawl and Tracy waking up in the barn and furiously calls off the wedding. Crawl and Tracy cannot remember what happened, leaving Becca to piece together what went wrong.

The morning after the bachelor party Barn, Becca's family property, South Dakota
10

Crawl heads back to Los Angeles

Crawl leaves to head back to Los Angeles, signaling the end of his stay in South Dakota. Travis, who had been seeing Tracy on the side, berates her for the previous night's behavior.

After the morning after incident South Dakota to Los Angeles
11

Thanksgiving dinner confrontation and confession

Tracy visits the Warner house to confront Travis and Theo during Thanksgiving dinner. Theo confesses that they drugged Becca and Crawl and set them up in the barn.

Thanksgiving dinner Warner house, South Dakota
12

Resolution and a cautious proposal horizon

Walter fires Theo. Becca tries to speak the truth about Crawl's proposal, but Crawl stops her, saying they have not yet decided on a wedding date and need to wait. He hints that he intends to legitimately propose to Becca and have a proper relationship that the Warners will respect.

End of Thanksgiving dinner Warner house, South Dakota

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 10:30

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Son in Law Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Son in Law

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