A Mother’s Descent Into Darkness

Read Time:4 Minute, 10 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Mom
–

Genre: Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 2024, 2025
Runtime: 1h 35m
Director(s): Adam O'Brien
Writer(s): Philip Kalin-Hajdu, Albert I Melamed, Adam O'Brien, Nathan Oliver, Taylor Sardoni
Cast: Emily Hampshire, François Arnaud, Christian Convery, Erika Rosenbaum, Tristan D. Lalla, Mariah Inger, Cat Lemieux
Where To Watch: arriving on digital/VOD platforms on February 11, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: In MOM, director Adam O'Brien takes audiences on a suspenseful journey into the fragile psyche of a new mother. The film starts with haunting visuals of a decaying home, immediately setting a tone of unease and sparking curiosity about the backstory.

We then meet Meredith, portrayed by Emily Hampshire, and her husband Jared, played by François Arnaud, as they welcome their newborn, Alex. As Jared becomes increasingly absorbed in his work, Meredith is left to juggle childcare and household responsibilities independently. This isolation and mounting fatigue lead her down a path of psychological turmoil.

O'Brien delves deep into the theme of maternal isolation. The narrative highlights Meredith's growing sense of abandonment, intensified by her husband's emotional unavailability and her family's lack of support. Hampshire delivers a nuanced performance, capturing a woman's vulnerability on the brink of losing her sanity. Her portrayal elicits empathy, even as Meredith's grip on reality weakens.

Jared's character embodies the ‘well-meaning’ yet inattentive partner. Despite his verbal commitment to fatherhood, his actions—or lack thereof—reveal a significant disconnect from his wife's struggles. His frequent critiques of the household and minimal involvement in domestic tasks underscore a profound lack of understanding. This dynamic serves as a commentary on norms and the often-overlooked challenges new mothers face.

As tensions rise within the household, the film portrays Meredith's declining mental health through suspenseful storytelling and unsettling imagery. However, the reliance on typical horror elements, such as sudden loud noises and predictable jump scares, occasionally detracts from the psychological depth of the narrative. The film straddles drama and horror, resulting in a somewhat inconsistent tone. Nonetheless, MOM effectively depicts the relentless trials new parents endure, emphasizing the repetitive nature of their hardships.

In recent years, horror cinema has increasingly been used to explore intricate mental health themes. MOM addresses postpartum depression, with Hampshire's performance providing an unfiltered and poignant look into a mother's mental collapse. The film does not shy away from the raw realities of childbirth and its aftermath, depicting Meredith's physical discomfort and the unceasing demands of her infant.

Viewers are drawn into Meredith's warped perception of reality as the plot unfolds. The film's dedication to her viewpoint creates a claustrophobic atmosphere, reflecting her entrapment within her mind. This method is reminiscent of other psychological horror narratives that focus on a protagonist's subjective experience.

MOM is a disturbing psychological examination that lingers. The film's opening—a deliberate exploration of a decaying house accompanied by a solemn score—immediately establishes a sense of unease. The precise sound design and stark visuals amplify Meredith's descent into postpartum depression and anxiety. Hampshire's portrayal is engaging and disconcerting, shedding light on often unspoken emotions.

O'Brien constructs a terrifying depiction of a mother's struggle to adapt to the profound changes brought about by childbirth. In the realm of horror cinema, MOM stands out for its unflinching portrayal of postpartum depression. Anchored by Hampshire's performance, the film employs horror metaphors and imagery to depict the extreme psychological distress experienced by its protagonist.

MOM is a haunting exploration of the psychological challenges of motherhood. While it occasionally relies on conventional tropes, the film's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of a mother's descent into despair.

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[photo courtesy of UNCORK’D ENTERTAINMENT]

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