‘Other Mommy’ Faces Harsh Early Reviews as Jessica Chastain’s Horror Film Opens
Horror enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating ‘Other Mommy’ for months, enticed by a chilling trailer and Jessica Chastain’s lead performance that hinted at something truly unsettling. Directed by Rob Savage, the film hits theaters today amid significant buzz regarding its box office prospects. However, the initial wave of critical responses has been notably underwhelming.
Typically, studios withhold screenings when they are uncertain about a film’s reception among critics, and this release seems to have followed that trend. As reported by Forbes, ‘Other Mommy’ was not screened in advance for critics, with reviews only surfacing after Thursday’s preview screenings.
Currently, ‘Other Mommy’ holds a disappointing 20% on the Tomatometer based on 20 reviews, marking a clearly rotten debut. The Popcornmeter has yet to provide a score but lists over 100 verified ratings. The film is rated R, has a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes, and is categorized as a horror, mystery, and thriller.
This early rating is a stark contrast to Chastain’s previous horror films. Her earlier genre entries, including ‘Mama’, ‘IT Chapter Two’, and ‘Crimson Peak’, all received favorable scores, with ‘Crimson Peak’ being her highest-rated at 72%.
Critics have consistently pointed out several issues with the film. Many describe it as flat and lacking in tension, noting that the scares fail to build the suspense that horror films require. One critic remarked that while the film starts strong, it loses direction once it gets underway, with another labeling it an incoherent embarrassment.
Global Box Office referred to it as a hot mess, awarding it 2.5 stars, while Fiction Horizon gave it a score of 6 out of 10, calling it uneven but watchable. Reviewers have also criticized the direction, the forgettable score, and the repetitive jump scares. Savage had claimed that the film would feature around 50 jump scares, but many reviewers feel these detract from the overall sense of dread rather than enhance it.
Almost every review highlights Chastain’s performance, as she portrays both Ursula and the malevolent double that haunts her daughter. Critics commend her commitment to the dual role, despite the script offering limited material. For many, her performance is the primary reason to see the film.
There are some positive notes as well. One critic suggested that the film might resonate more with horror fans than with general critics, and early audience reactions on Letterboxd average around 3.19 out of 5. Some fans online have expressed that a flawed horror movie can still provide entertainment.
The plot centers on 8-year-old Bela, who grapples with her parents’ marital issues while a sinister entity resembling her mother begins to disrupt her life. Arabella Olivia Clark plays Bela, with Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, and Arian Moayed rounding out the cast. The film is based on Josh Malerman’s novel ‘Incidents Around the House’, adapted by Nathan Elston, with James Wan producing through Blumhouse and Atomic Monster.
Malerman is also known for ‘Bird Box’. The project now faces the challenge of converting its strong tracking into favorable reviews from critics.
New trailer for ‘OTHER MOMMY’, starring Jessica Chastain and Jessica Chastain. The film follows a young girl who is threatened by a sinister demon that looks exactly like her mother. In theaters on October 9. https://t.co/Xwu3FI6pYz
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 15, 2026
Despite the unfavorable reviews, projections for the opening weekend remain strong. Box Office Theory estimates an opening between $28.5 million and $35 million, while Boxoffice Pro has tracked the film as high as $35 million. TheWrap has cited a projection of $24 million, with some sources estimating closer to $30 million if the reception holds steady.
Not all forecasts are optimistic. Deadline predicts a No. 1 debut of around $20 million from approximately 3,200 locations, against a reported net budget of $19 million. Comparisons have been made to ‘The Black Phone’, which opened to $23.6 million, as well as genre hits like ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms’.
Horror audiences tend to be more forgiving than critics, and the genre has had a strong year. If viewers connect with the scares and Chastain’s performance, the film could still achieve a solid opening and maintain respectable numbers in the weeks to come.
The risk lies in the possibility that poor reviews could limit its longevity, especially with ‘Street Fighter’ set to release next week. The first weekend will determine whether this is a case of critics missing the mark or audiences aligning with their views.
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