Mama

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Mama

PG-13

Released Jan 18, 2013

1h 40m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

167 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

On the day that their parents die, sisters Lilly and Victoria vanish in the woods, prompting a frantic search by their Uncle Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain). Five years later, miraculously, the girls are found alive in a decaying cabin, and Lucas and Annabel welcome them into their home. But as Annabel tries to reintroduce the children to a normal life, she finds that someone -- or something -- still wants to tuck them in at night.

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Critics Consensus

If you're into old-school scares over cheap gore, you'll be able to get over Mama's confusing script and contrived plot devices.

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Jenny Catchings

Bitch Media

While [Guillermo Del Toro] only takes an executive producer credit here on Mama, I doubt more involvement would have been helpful.

Jan 14, 2021

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Punch Drunk Critics

Good acting can't forgive bad effects or narrative choices, and yes, there are a lot of those.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 9, 2017

Full Review

Louis Black

Austin Chronicle

Haunting and extremely atmospheric, Mama is a horror film imbued with an unsettling and affecting power.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2014

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Hits most of the expected beats of a ghost story of this nature, though the actual design of the titular character is jarring and evocative enough to stay with you well after the credits roll.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Following a common trend in supernatural horror, Mama begins with a novel premise and compelling characters, but then slowly digresses into bankrupt genre clichés, rampant exposition, and formulaic boo! moments.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 20, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

...a little unnerving when it needs to be and creepy throughout.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 23, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Member

This is actually a pretty good movie. I don't understand the hate from some critics. I haven't seen this movie in many years, but it has aged very well. It also has alot of great scenes and creepy moments.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

Full Review

David C

I can understand the critics certainly, I find myself bored with most horrors of this type. I don't know what it is about this film but it has stuck with me since I first saw it. Certain scenes imprinted on me like no other. No other film before or after this has caused me to lose sleep, but I lost two nights over this. Is that not what every horror strives for in it's very essence? For me personally I cannot give less than 5 stars.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a really good movie for 2013, visuals were indeed bad but the whole story and acting was amazing. I got scared a couple of times real good. SPOILER: there was a sad ending and you don't see those very often so that's also a reason why I like it a lot. I recommend it!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

Full Review

S K

I’m fairly critical of lazy, trope-based thriller/horror movies (and there are many), but I thought this one was quite good overall. Unique premise, some genuinely creepy scenes, decent SFX…and Jessica Chastian. Not sure why many of the user reviews are so dour.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This film very effectively scared me throughout, until reaching the point where the titular creature is revealed clearly. It's not a particularly exceptional film but I thought it was scary, which is what horror films are supposed to be.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

Full Review

creeperand A

I dont know what it is about it, but this film somehow stuck with me. In my opinion, it does not get the credit it is due. Very atmospheric movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/10/24

Full Review

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Andy Muschietti

Director

Jessica Chastain

Annabel

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Uncle Lucas

Megan Charpentier

Victoria

Isabelle Nélisse

Lilly

Daniel Kash

Dr. Dreyfuss

Mama: Official Clip - Feral Children

2:15

Mama: Official Clip - I Know What You Want

1:43

Mama: Official Clip - Mama and the Kids

2:12

Mama: Official Clip - Daddy is Taken

2:21

Mama: Official Clip - Don't Turn Around

1:25

Mama: Official Clip - Someone's Here

2:50

Mama: Official Clip - Scared the Crap Out of Me

2:07

Mama: Official Clip - Is She Here?

2:03

Mama: Official Clip - She's Mad

3:25

Mama: Official Clip - The Ending

3:21

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Synopsis

On the day that their parents die, sisters Lilly and Victoria vanish in the woods, prompting a frantic search by their Uncle Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain). Five years later, miraculously, the girls are found alive in a decaying cabin, and Lucas and Annabel welcome them into their home. But as Annabel tries to reintroduce the children to a normal life, she finds that someone -- or something -- still wants to tuck them in at night.

Director: Andy Muschietti
Producer: J. Miles Dale, Barbara Muschietti
Screenwriter: Neil Cross, Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: De Milo, Toma 78
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Disturbing Images|Violence and Terror)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 18, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $71.6M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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