Robbie Ferrier (portrayed by Justin Chatwin) is the 16 year-old son of Ray Ferrier in the 2005 remake of War Of The Worlds. A typical rebellious, angst-ridden teen, Robbie has grown to hate his father ever since his parents got divorced (the details behind their divorce are never revealed) and usually acknowledges him by his first name instead of calling him "Dad". As the world is torn apart by an alien invasion, Robbie continues to look down on Ray and ignore him, even as he struggles to keep his children alive in the face of certain death.
Not Quite Dead...
Robbie doesn't die in the film, but by all rights he should have done. After the Ferriers narrow escape from the Hudson River, they end up in the countryside where a battle is taking place between the US Army and the invaders. Robbie tries to see the battle close-up and Ray tackles him to the ground trying to stop him. Seemingly enraptured by the carnage taking place just over the hill, Robbie keeps urging Ray to let him go, stating that he "has to see it", even though there is no rational reason for him to want to see it. Ray is forced to let Robbie go, however, when a middle-aged couple try to take away Rachel, who stands by a tree. Ray runs back to Rachel, then looks back to see a heavy explosion followed by Jeeps rolling down the hill in flames and absolutely no sign of Robbie. A tripod then appears at the top of the hill and Ray loses any hope that his son is still alive.
Despite the utter hopelessness of the situation and the odds of his survival being negligible to downright impossible, Robbie appears alive and well at his grandparents' house in Boston along with his grandparents, his mother Mary Ann and her husband Tim. No explanation is given as to how he survived, he and Ray just greet each other tearily and hug each other in front of the house.