By: Tanya Chang
Culture Editor
Horror fans finally had a new reason to cover their eyes on Oct. 9 with the release of psychological horror film Other Mommy. Combining supernatural scares with a haunting family secret, the film attempts to leave viewers questioning not only reality, but what could be hiding around every corner.
The movie follows eight-year-old Bela, played by Arabella Olivia Clark, who encounters a mysterious entity inside her home that looks and sounds exactly like her mother. The entity, whom Bela calls other mommy, initially appears to offer the affection and attention that Bela does not receive from her actual mother. As the movie progresses and her presence becomes more frequent, other mommy’s intentions become increasingly threatening in her attempts to get closer to Bela. When tensions rise within Bela’s family, her mother, Ursula, played by Jessica Chastain, and her father, Russ, played by Jay Duplass, must seek help outside their home as the entity continues to follow them; this forces Bela and her parents to confront both the supernatural threat and the secrets within their family.
Despite its frightening premise, Other Mommy has received mixed reactions from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an 18% Tomatometer score, reflecting an overwhelmingly reproving critical reception. Personally, I think that the movie establishes the horror aspect, keeping viewers frightened throughout with unsettling scenes and calculated plot twists. Several moments in the movie build suspense with eerie music and emotional fluctuations, making it difficult to know what will happen next. However, as the movie progresses, recognizable patterns emerge, and scenes become increasingly predictable. The movie also attempts to tie in multiple side storylines which not only make the plot more confusing, but also reduce the viewers’ interest in following the main narrative. Although Other Mommy has moments that create genuine tension, it’s unclear direction prevents it from having a more significant impact.
Behind the scenes, Other Mommy brings together several names in modern horror filmmaking. Rob Savage, known for Host and The Boogeyman, directs the film and James Wan, who assisted established horror franchises including The Conjuring and Insidious, is the producer. The movie is based on Josh Malerman’s bestselling novel, Incidents Around the House – which many viewers compare to the 2009 nominee for Best Animated Feature Film, Coraline – with screenwriter Nathan Elston. Savage approaches this movie with the intent to build suspense between the familiar and what turns out to be danger.
Ultimately, Other Mommy delivers an unsettling horror experience with frightening scenes and unexpected twists that keep viewers on edge. With its disturbing premise and memorable scares, Other Mommy offers a promising experience for viewers who are searching for a new horror movie to add to their watchlist.
(Sources: IMDb, PHANTASMAG)