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The Second Mother

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for The Second Mother R Released Aug 28, 2015 1h 52m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 93 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Unspoken class barriers that exist within a home come crashing down when the live-in housekeeper's daughter suddenly appears.
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The Second Mother

The Second Mother

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Critics Consensus

The Second Mother's compelling characters serve an artfully drawn, thought-provoking story that's beautifully brought to life by a talented cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Tara Brady Irish Times Writer/director Anna Muylaert's beautifully shot, frequently comical take on the 'second mother' phenomenon sets the film apart from other explorations of similar material. Rated: 4/5 Mar 2, 2016 Full Review Stephanie Merry Washington Post All the elements of the story fit impeccably together for a humorous and occasionally wrenching examination of relationships. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 24, 2015 Full Review Ben Sachs Chicago Reader The characters are so accustomed to keeping up appearances that they can't bring themselves to say what's bugging them. Their interactions may be mild, but the claustrophobic imagery creates the sense of being trapped in a powder keg. Rated: 3/4 Sep 17, 2015 Full Review Jennifer Merin AWFJ.org Brazilian filmmaker Anna Muylaert's The Second Mother is a beautifully crafted drama about the interaction between wealthy urban Latin American families and their maids, most of whom come from impoverished rural environments. Oct 12, 2021 Full Review Nikki Baughan AWFJ.org Muylaert's expert, nuanced exploration of inter-familial relationships, particularly those between women, is a joy to behold, played beautifully by the exceptional cast. Sep 29, 2021 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Muylaert makes it very moving with his observation on mother-to-child relationships. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 7/10 Jul 21, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Willian F Que Horas Ela Volta? (The Second Mother), is a film that delves into class relations in Brazil. With a script and direction that critique and touch on the subject sensitively, it explores the divide between employers and employees. Regina Casé gives a brilliant performance, showing the emotional depth of her character, Val. Although submissive at many moments, she reveals a strength that challenges the imposed norms. The film honestly and even uncomfortably addresses this inequality and societal prejudice, capturing the difference between social spheres with locations and aesthetics that reinforce this disparity. The Second Mother is a film that not only entertains but also provokes reflection on our society and the roles we play within it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/28/24 Full Review Kyle M Writer-director Anna Muylaert refines in approaching familial estrangement to tactically confront class conflict under satisfying, subtly heartening observative study performatively bolstered. (B+) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/11/24 Full Review Thiago L O filme Retrata a história de uma mãe empregada doméstica que recebe a filha em seus aposentos na casa dos patrões para que ela possa prestar o vestibular. Durante, acontece várias comparações de como a classificação monetária de ambas famílias influencia nas escolhas da mãe, gerando críticas sociais sobre essa pressão por causa do poder aquisitivo. Está presente nessa obra a arrogância, a intolerância, a falta de direitos iguais e a falta de respeito por causa desses parâmetros da sociedade, mas mostra um lado muito bom de onde uma mulher com baixo poder aquisitivo pode ocupar espaços inimagináveis. A obra sabe como mexer com o temperamento do telespectador, sabendo o deixar desconfortável, feliz, triste e tudo isso de uma forma genuína. A forma com que o telespectador acompanha o POV da mãe é instigante, sabendo o quanto ela sofre na mão da patroa e a forma com a qual ela é tratada de forma diferente da filha pelo patão. A sua proximidade com o filho dos contratantes trás um aconchego enorme ao telespectador, mostrando bem como a família é estruturada, vendo isso até mesmo na forma em que o menino trata a mãe e a empregada doméstica de forma exorbitantemente diferente. A atuação de todos os personagens é algo a ser visto, Regina Casé trás com sua atuação uma familiaridade inexplicável, os traços linguísticos, trejeitos e manias brasileiras a acompanham e da a entender que ela realmente nasceu para atuar aquela personagem. Outro ponto também muito positivo é o desenvolvimento não só da personagem principal, mas também dos secundários, onde não há lacunas de questionamento e com certeza há uma proximidade ótima com todos. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review rochany S Maravilhoso, uma crítica social sensacional e foda. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/15/24 Full Review Marco B I loved it, simply AMAZING, the film addresses several important issues, with incredible delicacy and sensitivity. He manages to show the reality of Brazil in a raw and sensitive way, and in a sensitive and realistic way, I don't understand how there are so many people who have never seen this work, Regina Casé's performance is simply incredible, she manages to give depth and authenticity to the character which is CRAZY, the way she portrays Val is so natural and engaging that it's impossible not to get emotional. The direction is magnificent, it manages to show the different perspectives of the characters without ever getting lost in the narrative. The film is technically impeccable, the photography is beautiful and the soundtrack complements it perfectly, it is a film that touches the heart and the mind, and that deserves to be seen and discussed, not only as entertainment, but also as a form of reflection and awareness. , there is one of the proofs that when Brazilian cinema wants to make a film with personality, it succeeds. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/05/23 Full Review Vito O filme me fez chorar mt pika Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Alex of Venice 74% 44% Alex of Venice Watchlist Runoff 79% 79% Runoff Watchlist Big Muddy 67% 21% Big Muddy Watchlist I Smile Back 49% 62% I Smile Back Watchlist TRAILER for I Smile Back Where Is Kyra? 83% 52% Where Is Kyra? Watchlist TRAILER for Where Is Kyra? Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Unspoken class barriers that exist within a home come crashing down when the live-in housekeeper's daughter suddenly appears.
Director
Anna Muylaert
Producer
Fabiano Gullane, Débora Ivanov, Gabriel Lacerda, Anna Muylaert
Screenwriter
Anna Muylaert
Distributor
Oscilloscope Laboratories
Production Co
Gullane, Africa Filmes, Globo Filmes
Rating
R (Some Language|Brief Drug Use)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 28, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 24, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$375.7K
Runtime
1h 52m
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