Director Barry Jay explores themes of generational trauma in his latest feature, “Like Father Like Son,” from Lionsgate. Jay also pens the film’s screenplay, which centers on the lengths one man will go to end a brutal cycle of violence.
Eli (portrayed by Dylan Flashner) is a young man whose father, Gabe (played by Dermot Mulroney), awaits execution on death row for the crime of first-degree murder. To cope with witnessing the murder, Eli is seeing therapist Anabelle Weiss (Mayim Bialik) and exploring a romance with Haley (Ariel Winter). As Eli’s life deteriorates, he recognizes distressing similarities within himself. To terminate the family’s longstanding history of violence, he takes significant and drastic actions.
Set in 1990, “Like Father Like Son” introduces us to Eli and Gabe, whose relationship is strained. The film quickly presents a scene where a teenager is being bullied, and in a shocking turn of events, Gabe attacks and kills the bully, leading to his incarceration.
I went into the film with little expectation, deliberately avoiding the trailer. Dermot Mulroney excels at portraying antagonistic characters; his performance here is no exception. He effortlessly embodies a hardened killer and, in doing so, overshadows the rest of the cast. Unfortunately, this strong performance does not extend to Dylan Flashner.
I struggled to connect with his character since I wasn’t familiar with Dylan Flashner’s work. He never comes across as convincing. There are moments when Eli engages in violence to defend women being taken advantage of, and the potential for his character to become a vigilante could have been a more compelling arc than what is ultimately delivered.
The flashback scenes of Gabe’s past crimes juxtaposed with Eli’s actions became distracting. Additionally, the romantic subplot between Hallie and Eli feels forced, and some male viewers may perceive Eli as a “simp.” Lastly, while Mayim Bialik and Vivica A. Fox’s names are prominently featured on the poster, neither has a significant role in the film and appears to be there merely for a quick paycheck.
While a twist in the third act tries to save the film, and Dermot Mulroney delivers a commendable performance, investing his full energy into the role, the film struggles to find its footing throughout its runtime. As a result, the story’s impact comes across as muted, leaving viewers wanting a more nuanced and engaging examination of its core concept.
Final Grade: C-
“Like Father Like Son is IN THEATERS, ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND January 31, 2025
