Not to be confused with the Ewan McGregor-led Jane Got a Gun — also arriving early next year — Son of a Gun finds the actor headed to Australia for a down-and-dirty crime drama. The directorial debut of Julius Avery, the project, which will be distributed by A24, also brings along emerging stars Brenton Thwaites and Alicia Vikander. The story follows a teenager named JR (Thwaites) who becomes embroiled in a world of crime when he is taken under the wing of Australia’s most notorious criminal, Brendan Lynch (McGregor).
We were mixed in our review, saying, “The script is overstuffed with suspenseful and dramatic moments but there’s no progression within or between them.” We added, “Instead of a gripping, well-told story, the film is an assortment of scenes found in any number of run-of-the-mill crime dramas. While a handful are injected with some fun, most come off pointless. With lowered expectations Son of a Gun could be entertaining, but the presence of someone of McGregor’s caliber in such a generic film remains bizarre.” A new U.S. trailer and poster have arrived and can be seen below for the film also starring Jacek Koman, Matt Nable, and Tom Budge.
In the criminal world, life is like a game of chess. To gain control, you have to stay a few moves ahead of your opponent. Lose that control, and you risk becoming a pawn in their very dangerous game. During a six-month stint inside a West Australian prison, rookie criminal JR (BRENTON THWAITES) meets the smart and enigmatic Brendan Lynch (EWAN McGREGOR). In exchange for protection on the inside, JR agrees to help Brendan get outside, hooking up with the influential Sam Lennox (JACEK KOMAN) to orchestrate a daring prison escape that frees Brendan, and inmates Sterlo (MATT NABLE) and Merv (EDDIE BAROO). JR is rewarded for his efforts, and with a taste of the high life and flirtations with Sam’s beautiful girl Tasha (ALICIA VIKANDER), he gets sucked deeper into Brendan’s criminal world. But whose game is he playing?
Becoming a father-like mentor to JR, Brendan convinces him to join on another high stakes job – robbing a Kalgoolie gold mine. But with millions of dollars at stake, it’s hard to tell whom JR can trust, and whose side each player is actually on. And with his feelings for Tasha increasing, and his faith in Brendan decreasing, JR must figure out his next move… before its check, mate.
Son of a Gun opens on January 16th.