🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Julius Avery
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Action
- Release year: 2014
- Runtime (length): 1h 48min
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (50k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 25%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A chess prodigy goes to prison and becomes an expert in grand theft gold, proving that crime *does* pay… until it doesn’t, maybe.
🍿 Son of a Gun: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Imprisonment and Protection
Nineteen-year-old JR enters prison for a minor crime and quickly grasps the brutal realities of prison life. He catches the attention of Brendan Lynch, a notorious criminal, after standing up to bullies. Lynch offers JR protection, but it comes at a steep price.

The Prison Break
After serving his time, JR fulfills his part of the bargain by orchestrating Lynch’s daring prison escape. This involves a hijacked helicopter, showcasing JR’s resourcefulness and loyalty to his mentor. The escape solidifies their bond and sets the stage for future collaboration.

Planning the Gold Heist
Lynch invites JR to join his crew for a high-stakes gold heist in Kalgoorlie. JR becomes entangled with Tasha, a woman connected to their criminal associate, Sam. As the heist approaches, tensions rise within the group, and JR struggles to balance loyalty and his growing feelings for Tasha.

The Heist and Betrayal
The gold heist is executed with precision, but chaos erupts when the police arrive. Sterlo, a member of Lynch’s crew, is killed in the ensuing escape. Sam betrays Lynch and JR, leading to a confrontation and JR must now decide where his loyalties lie.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- JR (Brenton Thwaites): A young, impressionable inmate who becomes entangled with a notorious criminal and finds himself in the middle of a dangerous heist.
- Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor): Australia’s most notorious criminal, who mentors JR and orchestrates a daring gold heist.
- Tasha (Alicia Vikander): A woman involved with the criminal underworld who becomes JR’s love interest and partner in crime.
- Sam Lennox (Jacek Koman): A ruthless crime lord who hires Lynch’s gang for the gold heist, ultimately betraying them.
- Sterlo (Matt Nable): Lynch’s loyal and seasoned partner in crime, who is killed during the gold heist getaway.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Tasha: “You were right, never trust a woman. Check mate.” – After the gold heist, Tasha reveals she and JR have outsmarted Brendan, double-crossing him and taking the gold for themselves.
- Brendan Lynch: “You’re either a chimpanzee or a bonobo. Chimpanzees, they’re all about violence, power. Bonobos, they’re about peace, love, getting along.” – Brendan explains his view of humanity to JR, highlighting the choices people make between aggression and cooperation.
- Brendan Lynch: “Never trust a criminal.” – Brendan warns JR about the inherent dangers of the criminal world and the importance of mistrust.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $14 million
- Domestic Gross: $0
- Worldwide Gross: $660,241
💥 Son of a Gun Reviews
Personal Review
I really enjoyed ‘Son of a Gun’! Ewan McGregor was awesome as the bad guy, and it was cool seeing the story unfold in Australia. The prison scenes were intense, and the heist itself was pretty exciting. The love story felt a little forced but I was rooting for JR and Tasha anyway. The end had a great twist, and left me thinking about the characters and their choices. Definitely worth a watch if you’re into crime movies with a different spin. I’d say the movie is not amazing, but definitely a fun experience if you love crime stories.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in heist movies”
- “Those who enjoy stories about mentorship and betrayal”
- “Ewan McGregor fans”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Strong language”
- “Drug use”
- “Brief nudity”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “While the plot is nothing revolutionary, ‘Son of a Gun’ delivers solid action and keeps you engaged. Ewan McGregor shines in his role, even though the story might feel a bit familiar, the Australian setting brings a fresh perspective to the heist genre.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Julius Avery’s debut is stylish and gritty, with strong performances, but the script lacks depth. McGregor is captivating, but the predictable story and underdeveloped characters ultimately hold the movie back from being truly great.
- Metacritic: “A solid crime thriller that benefits from strong performances, especially by Ewan McGregor. The Australian setting adds a unique flavor to the genre, but the plot and the story are mostly formulaic.
Audience Reactions
The prison break was the best part!: Viewers loved the intense action sequences and the chemistry between the lead actors.
Ewan McGregor’s performance stole the show.: Many praised McGregor’s portrayal of the complex criminal mastermind.
Overall Consensus: A decent crime thriller with strong performances and exciting action, but suffers from a predictable plot and underdeveloped characters.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The prison scenes were filmed in a real, decommissioned prison, adding to the authenticity and grit of the film.”
- “Director Julius Avery drew inspiration from his own life experiences when creating the complex relationship between JR and Brendan, modeling it after a negative influence he had in his youth.”
- “The gold heist sequence took inspiration from heist movies, particularly those involving meticulously planned operations.”
🖥️ How to Watch Son of a Gun?
As of [Current Date], ‘Son of a Gun’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming options and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Son of a Gun, you might like these similar films:
- Animal Kingdom (2010): Features a young man who becomes entangled with a criminal family and explores themes of loyalty and betrayal in the Australian underworld.
- The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973): A gritty crime film where trust is in short supply, focusing on the relationships between criminals and the choices they make.
- Starred Up (2013): Explores the brutal realities of prison life and a father-son relationship within the criminal justice system.
- Point Break (1991): Explores the intricate student-mentor relationship against a high stakes backdrop.
🛒 Son of a Gun Related Products
- Chess Set – Handmade Wooden Chess Board Game Set: High-quality, hand-carved wooden chess set perfect for chess enthusiasts and collectors. Each piece is meticulously crafted, and the board is inlaid with beautiful wood grain, inspired by the strategic chess games in the movie.
- Ewan McGregor Signed Photo – ‘Son of a Gun’ Autograph: A professionally printed photo signed by Ewan McGregor at a premier event. This high-quality photo captures McGregor in his role as Brendan Lynch, making it a valuable addition to any fan’s collection.
- Gold Bar Replica – Movie Prop Inspired: A stunning, realistic replica of a gold bar, inspired by the heist in ‘Son of a Gun’. Made from high-quality materials with a metallic finish, it’s perfect for display or as a unique movie prop.
- Action Crime Thrillers – Blu-ray Collection – [Region Free]: Discover new action and crime thrillers. Download or stream high-quality movies to immerse yourself in intense narratives and characters.
🎧 Soundtrack
Son of a Gun features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Son of a Gun’ was primarily filmed in various locations in Melbourne and Kalgoorlie, Victoria, Australia.
While not directly based on one specific event, ‘Son of a Gun’ draws inspiration from real-life bank robber Brenden Abbott, also known as “The Post Card Bandit,” and his apprentice Brendan Berichon.
Alicia Vikander plays the role of Tasha, a key character involved in the heist and JR’s love interest.
🔥 Bonus Content
Son of a Gun 2014 Movie explained in Hindi | Prison Heist Movie explained in Hindi
Struggling to follow the twists and turns of ‘Son of a Gun’? This video breaks down the entire movie in Hindi, making it super easy to understand. Honestly, after watching this, I finally got what was happening!
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