‘Other Mommy’ Aims for No. 1 Opening Despite D+ CinemaScore for Jessica Chastain’s Horror

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
oTHER MOMMY 3
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Horror has had an impressive year, and the weeks leading up to Halloween are typically the genre’s prime time. Following the success of ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms’, Universal and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster are eager to continue this trend. Their latest film, ‘Other Mommy’, featuring Jessica Chastain, hit theaters on Friday, October 9.

The studio entered the weekend with high hopes. A trailer for ‘Other Mommy’ was showcased before ‘The Odyssey’ in July, and with a production budget of only $18 million, even a modest opening would be considered a success.

Initial numbers have been promising. The film earned $3.6 million from 2,850 screens during Thursday previews, surpassing expectations. It is projected to achieve a $27.5 million opening weekend across 3,365 screens, likely securing the top position at the domestic box office.

This puts it well ahead of Sony’s ‘The Social Reckoning’, which is expected to earn around $6 million. Pre-release forecasts for ‘Other Mommy’ varied from $17 million to $22 million, with some predictions even reaching $35 million. However, it appears the film may not match the opening numbers of Chastain’s previous horror films, such as ‘Mama’, which debuted at $28.4 million, and ‘It Chapter Two’, which opened at $91 million.

However, audience reactions from opening night paint a different picture. ‘Other Mommy’ received a D+ from CinemaScore, a disappointing rating for a film that had strong preview numbers. This stark contrast raises questions about the film’s box-office momentum.

The CinemaScore aligns with the film’s mixed critical reception. Universal limited access to the film for critics until the last minute, and early feedback from advance screenings labeled it as Chastain’s weakest film in years. Deadline reported that reviews have been harsh, with Variety stating that the doppelgänger horror fails to deliver on multiple fronts.

In ‘Other Mommy’, Chastain takes on dual roles as Ursula, the mother of an 8-year-old girl named Bela, portrayed by newcomer Arabella Olivia Clark, and as the menacing entity known as ‘Other Mommy’, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her. As this entity becomes fixated on Bela, the family, including Ursula’s husband Russell, played by Jay Duplass, faces terror from a supernatural force.

The cast also features Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed, and Karen Allen. Directed by Rob Savage, the screenplay is penned by Nathan Elston, known for his work on ‘Succession’. The film is adapted from Josh Malerman’s novel ‘Incidents Around the House’, who also authored ‘Bird Box’.

Screenshot 2026 10 10 at 08 55 08 Other Mommy Rotten Tomatoes

Savage brings a strong background in the genre, having gained acclaim for his pandemic-era hit ‘Host’, followed by ‘Dashcam’ and ‘The Boogeyman’. His collaboration with James Wan’s Atomic Monster and Blumhouse promised a level of quality that horror enthusiasts expect.

Chastain also has a notable history in horror. Before her Oscar-winning performance in ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’, she starred in ‘Mama’ and ‘It Chapter Two’. Her return to horror in a dual role was a bold move, making the audience’s reaction even more surprising.

Despite the negative feedback, the box office outlook remains positive. Given the film’s modest budget, it requires significantly less revenue than a typical major studio release to break even, with estimates suggesting a break-even point of around $45 million. A strong opening weekend provides a promising start.

The true test will come in the second weekend, as audience word of mouth often determines how long a horror film can sustain its box office performance. With Halloween just three weeks away, ‘Other Mommy’ has time to attract viewers. Whether those who were drawn in by the trailer will recommend it to others remains to be seen.

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