Writer/director John Carney — the brilliant mind who brought us Once and Sing Street — is back to warm hearts and yank tears with his latest musical drama, Flora and Son.
The film follows a single, working-class mom in Dublin who's having trouble connecting with her increasingly rebellious teenage son. In a desperate attempt to reach Max (Orén Kinlan), Flora (Eve Hewson) pulls a guitar out of the trash as a gift for him, but when he rejects it, she decides to give it a whirl herself. It also doesn't hurt that Eve's virtual guitar teacher is a swoon-worthy dude across the ocean, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Though Max might not be a huge fan of the guitar, he is a big fan of music, just like his mom — he even makes his own beats, Flora discovers. What ensues is a touching tale of a mother and son finding unity in harmony, and a newfound understanding of each other blessed and borne from music.
Jack Reynor, who previously co-starred in Sing Street before his unforgettable turn in Midsommar, also appears as Eve's ex, Ian.
How to watch: Flora and Son will premiere in select theaters on Sept. 22. It will then have its global premiere on Apple TV+ on Sept. 29.