Jessica Chastain plays both a mother and a terrifying supernatural double in Other Mommy. The horror film opened in theaters on October 9 and has drawn criticism for its weak scares and uneven storytelling.
Jessica Chastain takes on a dual role in Rob Savage’s new horror film Other Mommy and portrays both a mother and her sinister doppelganger. The story centers around seven-year-old Bela played by Arabella Olivia Clark who has an imaginary friend named Other Mommy. This Other Mommy is a malevolent entity that takes the form of Bela’s real mother but with darker traits.
The film is based on Josh Malerman’s 2024 book Incidents Around the House which had strong elements but needed cinematic improvements. Other Mommy opened in theaters on October 9 and has received largely negative reviews despite praise for Chastain’s performance.
The movie begins with a teaser trailer that shows the best parts of the film mostly during its opening sequence according to a review from Fresh Fiction. In the story Bela’s parents are Ursula and Russell played by Jessica Chastain and Jay Duplass respectively. Ursula works long hours which creates tension in the family though she is not portrayed as a neglectful parent.
The supernatural events start when Other Mommy begins appearing in the house first to Russell and then to Ursula. The family tries to escape the haunting by moving from place to place including staying with a friend and then with Ursula’s mother. Despite these efforts the film fails to build proper suspense or fear due to inconsistent visual effects and underdeveloped characters.
The movie’s ending differs significantly from the book’s ending and leaves many plot threads unresolved. Critics note that while Chastain delivers a powerful performance her character lacks depth and emotional complexity.
The film’s visual effects are uneven with some scenes featuring convincing practical horror while others rely on unconvincing CGI. Director Rob Savage focuses more on spectacle than atmosphere which makes the film feel inconsistent and unfocused.
The screenplay by Nathan Elston attempts to streamline the book’s story but loses some of its emotional core. Arabella Olivia Clark gives a strong performance as Bela and makes her one of the most compelling parts of the movie.
The film’s score adds to the mood with discordant and distorted music cues. Despite its flaws Other Mommy is praised for Jessica Chastain’s transformation into the villainous Other Mommy.
Critics argue that the movie could have used more time to develop its characters and explore deeper themes. Some reviewers found the film’s pacing and structure confusing as it jumps between scenes without clear transitions.
The movie draws comparisons to other horror films like It and The Conjuring but fails to establish its own unique identity. Although the film has moments of genuine terror it struggles to maintain consistent scares throughout.
Overall Other Mommy is seen by some critics as a missed opportunity for a strong horror story despite its promising premise and solid performances. The film received a low rating of one star from a reviewer at The Indian Express.
Despite its shortcomings the movie’s visual design and Chastain’s performance make it worth watching for fans of horror or her work.
IMAGE: Toronto International Film Festival 2013. Photo: Gordon Correll / Wikimedia, taken 2014-05-13, CC BY-SA 2.0