Mother of Flies

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Mother of Flies

2025

1h 32m

Horror

Drama

Fantasy

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Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A young woman suffering from a life-threatening illness ventures deep into the woods to seek the help of a mystical healer offering an unconventional cure.

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Critics Consensus

Somber and boldly intimate, Mother of Flies is a folk horror chamber piece that infuses its meditation on death with jaw-dropping practical effects and ferocious weirdness.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

4d

3/4

It’s a tricky work that’s pulled off well.

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

Jan 23

2.5/4

But there are so many compensations that it’s very much worth seeing for anyone who loves horror—especially the atmospheric and gory, dread-based type, rather than the kind that is single-mindedly obsessed with staging jump-scares.

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Katie Rife

AV Club

Jan 22

B

The result is occult horror as potent as the snake venom in one of Selveig’s dreadful “cures.”

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Daniel M. Kimmel

North Shore Movies

9h

2/5

MOTHER OF FLIES is what might be called "arthouse horror." There’s lots of blood, to be sure, but it’s a slow burning film where all the pieces don’t fall into place until the final 20 minutes.

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Nadine Whitney

AWFJ.org

12h

Mother of Flies is an outstanding folk horror work of art where the script is darkly lyrical and the visual elements at times simply jaw-dropping.

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Abbie Bernstein

Assignment X

2d

B

While the deliberate pace makes sense in terms of what’s happening, there are moments when we wish MOTHER OF FLIES would cut a few images simply to move events more swiftly. Mostly, though, it’s potent folklore.

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Garry A

@heavyg 13h

The actress who plays the witch is the highlight of the movie. I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

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Chloe S

@Chlosandersx 14h

Unsure how this film has 96% rating? Unbelievably boring, terrible dialogue and awkward acting.

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Lord Byron K

1d

I just finished "Mother of Flies" and I'm honestly blown away! It's an independent film that totally subverts expectations, blending atmospheric mystery, grotesque symbolic imagery with a truly powerful, bittersweet story. The filmmakers and actors are all family, which adds such a fascinating layer. A must see witch story with creepy, eerie vibes.

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Ashley O.

@ashelina86 1d

Fantastic. No notes.

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Heather D

@deepsters 1d

This is a slow burn that isn’t for everyone. But if you’re willing to give it a chance, it has an awesome ending that made it worth sitting through the first 2 acts.

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Paul W

@whothehellknows 1d

Atmospheric, slow burner that unfolds in a more classic style than some in the genre today, a bit like an old campfire story. Acting was well done, felt like a 90s throwback especially with the music. I really enjoy this kind of movie although some will find it to be too slow for the payoff. Will be watching for more from this team.

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John Adams

Director

Toby Poser

Director

Zelda Adams

Director

Zelda Adams

Actor

Toby Poser

Actor

John Adams

Actor

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Synopsis

A young woman suffering from a life-threatening illness ventures deep into the woods to seek the help of a mystical healer offering an unconventional cure.

Director: John Adams, Toby Poser, Zelda Adams
Producer: Toby Poser
Screenwriter: John Adams, Toby Poser, Zelda Adams
Distributor: Shudder
Production Co: Yellow Veil Pictures
Genre: Horror, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 23, 2026
Runtime: 1h 32m