Inspired by a true event, Magnus tells the story of a young man that neither parent expected to live beyond his mid-teens. With an ineffective mother on one side, and a hedonistic, oblivious father on the other, Magnus’ illness drives him to play a colossal game of chicken, skirting a death wish that finally lands him in the hospital one last time. Only then does his father realize his duties and consciously tries to reconnect with his estranged son. Kousaar’s assured debut is emotional but never sentimental, aided by strong central performances from Mart Laisk and Kristjan Kasearu as father and son trying desperately to bond, but unable to due to their fundamentally divergent natures. Laisk’s turn as the lazy father is hateful and empathetic, and Kasearu as the unloved teen with no will to live is the perfect complement.