Son of Rambow
Two very different English schoolboys turn a forbidden Rambo-inspired home movie into an exuberant test of friendship, faith, and growing up.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- nostalgic
- irreverent
- lazy sunday
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film charming and heartfelt, with strong young performances and nostalgic appeal offsetting its predictable storyline.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Will and Lee create an ambitious home movie modeled on Rambo, making the filmmaking process central to the narrative.
Will's Plymouth Brethren upbringing forbids television, music, and contact with outsiders, while filmmaking opens an alternative imaginative life.
The film is set during an English summer in the early 1980s and draws heavily on the era's Rambo fascination and school culture.
Sheltered Will and school terror Lee Carter form a creative partnership despite their radically different backgrounds and reputations.
Films like Son of Rambow, and why
The Goonies
warm coming-of-age comedy centered on childhood friendship, imagination, and nostalgic filmmaking
Stand by Me
nostalgic childhood adventure with eccentric young characters, playful danger, and heartfelt friendship
Attack the Block
British coming-of-age comedy blending youthful rebellion, school dynamics, and affectionate nostalgia
Sing Street
emotionally sincere youth comedy about outsiders, creative ambition, and friendship under social pressure
Movie Details
- Director
- Garth Jennings
- Release Date
- 2007-01-22
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (508)
Cast
- Bill Milner
- Will Poulter
- Jessica Hynes
- Jules Sitruk
- Neil Dudgeon
- Ed Westwick
- Anna Wing
- Tallulah Evans
- Emilie Chesnais
- Paul Ritter
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Son of Rambow about?
- Two very different English schoolboys turn a forbidden Rambo-inspired home movie into an exuberant test of friendship, faith, and growing up.
- What is Son of Rambow like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Son of Rambow as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Son of Rambow violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Son of Rambow as mild.
- What did critics think of Son of Rambow?
- Critics broadly found the film charming and heartfelt, with strong young performances and nostalgic appeal offsetting its predictable storyline.
- Which films are like Son of Rambow?
- Films with a similar feel include The Goonies, Stand by Me, Attack the Block, and Sing Street.
- How long is Son of Rambow?
- Son of Rambow runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Son of Rambow?
- In United States, Son of Rambow streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
