Mama

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Dave S The first half of Mama is actually pretty decent. Missing for five years after their parents were violently killed, two young girls are found in a remote cabin living in a feral state and, after being assessed, are left in the care of their uncle (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend (Jessica Chastain). Director Andy Muschietti manages to establish a genuinely creepy atmosphere via an appropriately muted colour palette, effective cinematography, and a pair of uber-creepy performances from the two young actresses. Unfortunately, things go downhill over the second half as the movie devolves into the standard threatening-entity-in-the-house fare that’s been done to death over the last twenty years, all leading to a climax that seems to drag on forever. Basically, it's half of a really good movie. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/11/25 Full Review chris m nostalgia hits harder than technical objectivity. for years, 'mama' was one of my favorite horror films. i was always captivated by its atmosphere, that dark fairytale feeling that envelops the entire story, and especially by the unsettling figure that represents the "mother." however, watching it today, it’s clear that time hasn’t been kind to it, particularly in the visual department. the digital effects, which were impressive back then, now look artificial and obvious, taking away some of the power from the more intense scenes. even so, the creature’s design retains its magnetism: it remains a disturbing and well-conceived presence. narratively, 'mama' still manages to be moving. the story is told with sensitivity, and the characters, though simple, work well. the two girls stand out for their natural performances, especially isabelle nélisse, who delivers a surprisingly convincing portrayal for her age. the rest of the cast does a decent job, though overall the film gives off a slight b-movie vibe that clashes with its aesthetic ambitions. there are moments that break the sense of realism—small instances where the script or direction feels forced—but the whole thing holds together thanks to its atmosphere and outstanding sound design. the distinctive sound of "mama," deep and spectral, remains one of the film’s most memorable and effective elements. today, i like it more out of nostalgia than for its technical merits. it’s a film i’m fond of, perhaps because, despite its flaws, it conveys a rare blend of tenderness and horror. i’ve thought that a remake could breathe new life into it, but i also fear it would lose the essence that makes it special. the ending still feels both sad and abrupt, a sudden closure that leaves the story hanging in midair. yet that lack of resolution adds to its melancholy tone, as if the film itself were fading away, just like its ghost. in the end, 'mama' is an imperfect but soulful work—a modern gothic tale that blends fear with emotion, and even though it has aged, it still leaves a mark that’s hard to forget. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/01/25 Full Review Aluna U Mama expands a chilling short film into a full-length feature exploring the dark, twisted depth of maternal love. With strong performances from its young cast and atmospheric visuals, it builds an eerie tone, though some rushed storytelling and underdeveloped character arcs leave room for improvement. Despite its flaws, the film delivers a compelling supernatural tale worth watching. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com) Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/29/25 Full Review Calvin O As some other reviews have said, the film starts out with promise. Good jump scares and lots of creepy tension, and the sense that there is a good story behind all of this. Unfortunately, the "good story" never materializes. One is left wondering... what actually happened here? There is a BASIC story, but too many giant gaps in it to give the viewer any real satisfaction. We don't really understand the motivations behind the characters, which makes it hard to care about them, their relationship to each other, and the events that unfold. Why did the father kill his colleagues and his estranged wife? (Yes, financial disaster, sure... but WHY KILL PEOPLE? Particularly his estranged wife? There needs to be a *slight* story here...) Why did he then go and kidnap his children? Why was he going to kill them? What the heck was the deal with this guy??? We know nothing at all about the family, except the one line that Jessica Chastain's character says -- something like, "That family is so messed up, and they were like that before me!" So then... why is Jessica Chastain's character messed up? We know virtually NOTHING about her. Except she doesn't want kids. Ooookay. That's about as one-dimensional as a character can get. Why are she and the girls' uncle together? There's almost no relationship depicted between them. We don't know why she is sticking around to take care of these kids she doesn't want. You don't see any real interaction between the two of them that helps explain their dynamic or story. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Alejandra C hated it, i dont know why this was hyped up Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/06/25 Full Review Emily H Everyone should watch this movie at least once. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/16/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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