‘A Dangerous Son’ Trailer: Liz Garbus Chronicles Children Struggling With Mental Illness in a Chaotic World

Prolific documentary filmmaker Liz Garbus is currently preparing to debut her new series “The Fourth Estate” at this month’s Tribeca Film Festival, but she’s already got another brand-new feature ready to go. Her latest film, “A Dangerous Son,” will premiere on HBO early next month, chronicling the stories of three young children with mental illness, and the struggles their families endure to get them help, even when resources are limited and support is in short supply.

The film follows its three subjects — ranging in age from ten to 15, all with different mental health issues — as they cycle through counselor visits, medications, hospitalizations, and even encounters with law enforcement as they attempt to find some peace and normalcy. The film is making its debut during Mental Health Month, and it looks like the kind of personal endeavor that could shed some serious light on a subject in need of more understanding.

Garbus rounds out her film with insights from a number of mental-health experts and advocates, including: Dr. Thomas Insel, former director of the National Institute of Mental Health; Andrew Solomon, author of “Far from the Tree”; Virginia state senator Creigh Deeds, whose 24-year-old son Gus stabbed him before killing himself; and Liza Long, author of the essay “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother,” who speaks about her own struggles dealing with her son’s mental health crises.

HBO will premiere “A Dangerous Son” on May 7. The film will also be available on HBO On Demand, HBO NOW, HBO GO, and partners’ streaming platforms. Check out our exclusive teaser trailer below.

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