Other Mommy (2026) Written Review
What is one of the most unnerving things that can befall a family in their household? Being violated and harassed by a frightening doppelganger seems like one occurrence that might have quite an adverse effect upon a family. Having a doppelganger of your mother who is quite unnerving and eerie certainly will make a number on a young girl. But when this entity promises you all types of good things when you have a tumultuous family life, that can certainly muddy the waters for an impressionable young girl. There are plenty of secrets in the household of Rob Savage’s Other Mommy and this horrifying entity is ready to unearth it all.
How does Savage bring this haunting concept to life in this new horror film? There is some intensity and aggression that Savage leans into because this film wastes no time at all getting down to business. This is around 80 minutes (without the credits) and there is a barrage of jump scares throughout. The discourse around the film has been its 50 jump scares in its modest runtime and that is no joke. Within the first couple of scenes (including the cold open) you get a handful already. Jump scares are generally cheap tricks in horror films but Savage is so unrelenting with them that it feels like a freight train of terror coming down the tracks. The visualizations that bring “Other Mommy” to life are disturbing, twisted, and quite unnerving. The blood, guts, and grotesque forms of “Other Mommy” make this film quite the visual treat. There is a twisted balloon motif that makes for some shocking moments, and the grotesque contortions of the body will freak you out. The pacing of the film is so unrelenting that there is no room to breathe (in a bad way). The music composed by Patrick Jonsson is quite unnerving as it helps accentuate some inventive and twisted set pieces along the way.
Does Nathan Elston’s screenplay deliver on the same unhinged level that Savage’s direction does? Unfortunately, this script feels like it was rushed in an hour then went right out for filming. The film feels like a chopped-up collection of set pieces that have the loosest threads between them. The screenplay is just a bunch of fun ideas strung together in a mad-capped bit of mayhem. There is an entire set piece at a mansion by the sea including a whole team of paranormal researchers who arrive, montage, and are dispatched in less than ten minutes. This feels like a representation of how half-hearted and undercooked this whole film feels. The themes of the film feel quite underdeveloped as well. They are either blunt as can be (which feels like the screenplay does trust the audience) or the other thematic elements feel like a hodgepodge of contradictions. There are some serious twists regarding the true nature of this family, but they feel so forced or underdeveloped that they lose their impact. The characters feel undercooked (along with the rest of the film) which leaves them feeling underutilized in this rushed affair.
How does the cast navigate this messy horror experience? Jessica Chastain comes to play. Her dual performance delivers wholeheartedly. The self-centered mother feels disconnected and distant until the love for her daughter is challenged throughout the film. “Other Mommy” is a disturbing and unnerving character where Chastain gets to play with wild emotional swings and some grotesque physicality. Chastain is the real reason to see this film at all. Jay Duplass is endearing and charming as the father who is genuinely kind and supportive. Young Arabella Olivia Clark carries much weight in the film as the young protagonist and she delivers quite impressively. Despite being a young actor, she carries some considerable emotional weight. The last performance of note is by Karen Allen who brings a good bit of presence in her limited role as Chastain’s cooky mother.
Is Other Mommy a worthwhile horror experience? Savage does his best with subpar script and undercooked writing. The direction is bonkers and full of life. If only the film didn’t have to spring throughout its modest runtime, maybe there could be some needed depth added in. Chastain does all she can to bolster the jump scares and Savage’s vision, but the writing truly lets this film down. For only 80 minutes of your time, you can get a buffet of jump scares and some twisted imagery at least.
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