The Son is an “immaculately acted and staged” (The Australian) drama from writer-director, Florian Zeller, based on his play ‘Les Fils’. The second installment on his trilogy about mental health, this film is co-written by Zeller and Christopher Hampton (Atonment). Starring Hugh Jackman (The Greatest Showman), Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman) and Sir Anthony Hopkins, who won an Oscar for Zeller’s previous film, The Father. The Son opens on Friday, 10 March.

A “bold, harrowing and unflinchingly sobering film” (The Observer), The Son follows a family as it falls apart and tries to reunite. Nicholas is 17-years-old and struggling with a deep sadness. He feels he cannot stay with his mother, Kate, a few years after his parents’ divorce. He relocates to the home of his father, Peter, and his new partner, Beth. Peter tries to care for Nicholas as he wishes his own father had cared for him. A high-flying lawyer he juggles work, their new baby, and an offer of pursuing a dream job in Washington. But by reaching into the past to right its wrongs, he loses sight of how to keep Nicholas in the present as the teenager is drawn to the simple joys of his childhood.

This is a tender but uncompromising film that confronts the most difficult questions we face as parents and as individuals. Where do our personal interests end and our obligations to others begin? How can we assist those who insist on being helpless? And can broken families be put back together? This is a story that will strike a chord with anyone who has struggled to connect with others or to make a family work. No parent is the “ideal” parent, and no child is the “ideal” child.

A versatile acting talent, Hugh Jackman needs no introduction, a household name who has forged his career on playing Wolverine as part of the X-Men. Testament to his abilities, Jackman’s managed to switch dexterously between drama, musicals and sci-fi fantasy, earning himself an Oscar nomination for his role in Tom Hooper’s adaptation of Les Misérables. Playing opposite him is Vanessa Kirby, who received critical acclaim and much award season attention for her starring role in Pieces of a Woman, which landed her nominations for a Golden Globe, Oscar, BAFTA and SAG award.

Laura Dern has developed a strong reputation in Hollywood for her heartfelt performances with some of her best work in recent years, winning an Oscar for Marriage Story as well as delivering noteworthy performances in Little Women, Big Little Lies and Twin Peaks: The Return. Rounding up the main players is Sir Anthony Hopkins, whose iconic turn in Silence of the Lambs has defined his legendary career, following it up with another Oscar for his lead role in The Father.