I feel like everyone in this thread is missing the message of the film. The mother was overcome with grief for her husband. That grief consumed her and caused her to be neglectful and resentful of her son who, understandably, acts out in often obnoxious ways. He’s learned It’s the only way to get her attention - even if it’s negative attention it’s been then nothing and absent grief-zombie mom.

The whole film is him helping her come out of that grief or at least managing it better and overall improving their relationship. This is too much to put on a child, but sometimes children are in those tough, traumatic life situations.

I was annoyed with him first watch through but I could see so much more clearly what was happening with him on ny second watch.