WFG RATING: A-

Lionsgate presents a Code 3 Films/Green Light Pictures/Redwire Pictures production in association with Lucky 13 and Sad Clown Pictures. Written and directed by Barry Jay. Produced by Lucas Jarach and Jim Klock. Cinematography by Mac Fisken. Edited by Danny Draven.

Stars Dylan Flashner, Ariel Winter, Vivica A. Fox, Jim Klock, Eric Michael Cole, Mayim Bialik, and Dermot Mulroney. 

A young man attempts to not be like his murderous father in this very tense thriller from writer-director Barry Jay.

Eli is a young man who is having a very bad day. A while back, he turned his father in after witnessing him killing a man for bullying another young man. Sentenced to die, Gabe and Eli have been estranged. Eli is having trouble with his rent, at risk of losing his job as a phone salesman, and can’t seem to catch a break. He blames his relationship with his father for his issues and with the advice of his therapist, he goes to visit him. 

One night, Eli meets Hayley, a young woman who sells herself. After a night of passion, he snaps when she steals his wallet. However, a few nights later, he saves her from being assaulted and two bond and eventually begin a relationship. However, as Eli may have finally found happiness, other life events slowly begin to trigger his mind. This causes Eli to fear he will end up like his father and must try to do whatever it takes to break the spell. However, it is going to be a lot easier said than done. 

Writer/director Barry Jay has come up with a very tense thriller that has a real-life psychological aspect of a killer’s kin possibly having a “gene” passed on by the father. With the help of his friend Mayim Bialik (who makes a cameo as Dr. Weiss, Eli’s therapist), Jay is able to tell a gripping story of one man’s attempt to break that “spell” as he tries to start his life over after a terrible tragedy forced him to make a choice. 

Dylan Flashner is excellent in the role of Eli. He is the protagonist one hopes will overcome his internal and external barriers to find a happy life within himself. While he attempts to overcome life events especially when it comes to his new relationship with Hayley (played by a terrific Ariel Winter), it is clear it is not going to be easy. The reason is because of his father, death row inmate Gabe, played by a very at times terrifying and vicious Dermot Mulroney.

Mulroney is definitely on a roll when it comes to playing the ruthless (pun intended) type. From Scream VI to well, Ruthless (even as a protagonist who uses martial arts to track down traffickers), this is perhaps one of Mulroney’s best in that department. As Gabe, he tends to play a psychological game of mind f**kery towards Eli, warning him that he will end up like him and it’s going to be a guarantee. There are some surprising scenes in the film and even the third act, which serves as an epilogue of sorts, really is quite a surprise. 

Like Father, Like Son is a very tense thriller that shows a tour de force performance by Dylan Flashner as we see him come to odds in a mind game with his father, played by a very vicious Dermot Mulroney. Ariel Winter is excellent as the woman who may help Eli overcome his dilemma. Definitely one of those who love tense psychological thrillers. 

The film will be released in select theaters, On Demand, and Digital on January 31.