My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A man goes to Peru, acts in a Greek play, and then stabs his mom, making everyone involved deeply uncomfortable.

🍿 My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder and Investigation

Detective Havenhurst and Detective Vargas arrive at a murder scene to find Mrs. McCullum has been killed with a sword. Brad McCullum, her son, is quickly identified as the suspect and is seen leaving the scene. Brad holes himself up in his house, triggering a hostage situation and prompting an investigation into his background.

Flashbacks and Mental Deterioration

The detectives interview Brad’s fiancée, Ingrid, and his theater director, Lee, who recount events leading up to the murder. These flashbacks reveal Brad’s increasingly erratic behavior, including a transformative trip to Peru where he claims to have heard the voice of God. The accounts paint a picture of a man disconnecting from reality.

Influences and Motivations

Flashbacks show Brad’s involvement in a Greek tragedy where he plays a character who kills his mother. He becomes obsessed with the role, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. His relationships with his overbearing mother, played by Grace Zabriskie, and other eccentric figures further contribute to his mental state.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Brad Macallam (Michael Shannon): A mentally disturbed man who murders his mother with a sword, believing he is enacting a Greek tragedy.
• Detective Havenhurst (Willem Dafoe): The lead detective investigating the murder, trying to piece together Brad’s descent into madness.
• Ingrid Gudmundson (Chloë Sevigny): Brad’s fiancée who struggles to understand his increasingly erratic behavior and mental state.
• Mrs Macallam (Grace Zabriskie): Brad’s eccentric and overbearing mother, who becomes the victim of his psychotic break.
• Lee Meyers (Udo Kier): The theater director who works with Brad, witnessing his increasing instability firsthand.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Brad Macallam: “What do you mean by birds? They’re my eagles in drag!” – Brad says this to Detective Havenhurst, defiantly defending his pet flamingoes in a moment of delusion.
• Brad Macallam: “At least some people act a role; others play a part.” – Brad says this to Ingrid, expressing his belief that he is acting out a pre-ordained tragedy, in a moment of high strangeness.
• Uncle Ted: “The only thing Greeks know is how to play with their balls!” – Uncle Ted says this, mocking the Greek play Brad has been involved with.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $67,148
• Worldwide Gross: $76,739

💥 My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, wow. This movie is WEIRD. I mean, Herzog weird. Michael Shannon is incredible as the troubled Brad, and some of the scenes, like the ostrich farm, are just unforgettable. But it’s not exactly a feel-good movie, you know? I was left feeling unsettled and a little confused. Still, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the experience! It made me think, even if I’m still not quite sure what to think *about*.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Werner Herzog”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “People who appreciate surreal and unconventional cinema”
  • “Those intrigued by true crime stories with a philosophical bent”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Mental illness”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Herzog’s film “My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done” features a strong performance by Michael Shannon and boasts some memorable Herzogian moments, but falters due to its confusing narrative. The film’s complex structure and heavy reliance on flashbacks hinder its overall impact.
• Variety: “Despite the intriguing premise inspired by a true crime, Herzog’s direction seems uncertain, resulting in an odd, disjointed film. Michael Shannon delivers a committed performance, but the script struggles to provide a coherent narrative.

Audience Reactions

Michael Shannon’s performance is haunting and compelling.: Viewers praised the acting, particularly Michael Shannon’s portrayal of a disturbed man.

Herzog’s unique direction and surreal imagery made the movie memorable.: Herzog’s unique style provided an eerie atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: A divisive film, with some praising its unique style and Michael Shannon’s performance, while others found it confusing and pretentious.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on the true story of Mark Yavorsky, who killed his mother with a sword in 1979, after playing the role of Orestes in a Greek tragedy.”
• “David Lynch served as an executive producer, bringing his signature surreal and unsettling style to the project, although Werner Herzog directed.”
• “Many cast and crew members previously worked together on Werner Herzog’s ‘Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans,’ including Michael Shannon, Brad Dourif, Irma P. Hall, cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger, and editor Joe Bini.”

🖥️ How to Watch My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?

My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done, you might like these similar films:

• Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972): Another Werner Herzog film exploring obsession and madness in the face of overwhelming forces of nature.
• Eraserhead (1977): Shares the same unsettling atmosphere and surreal, dreamlike qualities, reflecting the inner turmoil of the protagonist.
• Take Shelter (2011): Focuses on a man’s descent into paranoia and his struggle to protect his family, mirroring the mental instability of Brad.

🛒 My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done Related Products

• Werner Herzog Collection (DVD/Blu-Ray): This collection includes some of Werner Herzog’s most influential movies, offering a deeper dive into his unique filmmaking style. Perfect for fans of Herzog.
• Greek Tragedy Mask Set (Comedy and Tragedy): A set of classic Greek tragedy masks, inspired by the play that influences the main character’s actions. Made from high-quality resin, these masks are a must-have for theater enthusiasts and collectors.
• Flamingo String Lights: A string of LED flamingo lights can add a touch of the movie’s bizarre home decor style to any room.
• Ostrich Farm Experience Voucher: Ever wanted to see an ostrich up close? This voucher allows the buyer to have a personal experience on a real ostrich farm.

🎧 Soundtrack

My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Flamingos” – performed by The Ernst Reijseger Ensemble

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Washington Phillips — I Am Born To Preach The Gospel

Ever wondered about that haunting tune in ‘My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?’? This video dives into the song and its artist, Washington Phillips. Honestly, it adds a whole new layer to the movie – give it a listen!

My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? reviewed by Mark Kermode

Thinking about watching ‘My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?’ but not sure if it’s your thing? Check out Mark Kermode’s review first! He’s pretty spot-on, in my opinion, and will give you a good idea of what to expect.

✨ Rate