The Reel Review
A family of three finds themselves in grave danger when they discover a paranormal entity resembling the family’s mother has attached itself to the seven-year-old daughter, who innocently has named it “Other Mommy.” Jessica Chastain, Arabella Olivia Clark and Jay Duplass star in this horror/thriller.
Other Mommy starts off with a jump scare-filled bang, the demonic entity making no attempt to conceal itself as it relentlessly tries to take control of young Bela, who has noticed that her real mommy is having an affair with a friend of the family. The action is terrifying with Chastain and Clark both giving committed performances. The visuals of the creature are unsettling, and the family-under-fire vibe and seance scene are all reminiscent of 1982’s Poltergeist. Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) is a nice addition as Bela’s eccentric grandmother, Ruth.
But then the film from director Rob Savage (The Boogeyman) falls apart, devolving into ridiculous CGI slop. Its themes – about how mothers sacrifice their own identities for their children and the dangers of keeping secrets – gets lost in a strange and confusing tonal shift that at times is unintentionally funny – never a good sign. After such a strong start, Other Mommy ends up a disappointment, more silly than scary.
REEL FACTS
• Other Mommy is based on Josh Malerman’s 2024 novel “Incidents Around the House.”
• Arabella Olivia Clark’s film credits include 2025 films The Housemaid, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.
• Although set in Northern California, Other Mommy was filmed in and around Dublin, Ireland with Glenmaroon House, also the setting for the 2024 horror Abigail, serving as Grandma Ruth’s mansion.
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