‘Other Mommy’ Release Date and Review: Is the Scariest Thing a Familiar Face?

‘Other Mommy‘ is set to hit theaters on October 9, following a delay from its initial May release. The film presents a compelling premise: Bela, an 8-year-old girl in a home troubled by marital issues, encounters a menacing presence emerging from her closet that eerily resembles her mother. This entity, calling itself “Other Mommy,” becomes increasingly threatening to the family as the narrative unfolds.

Directed by Rob Savage, known for ‘Host’ and ‘The Boogeyman’, the film adapts Josh Malerman’s novel ‘Incidents Around the House’ with a screenplay by Nathan Elston. Jessica Chastain stars as both the real mother, Ursula, and the sinister entity, with Jay Duplass portraying Bela’s father, and Arabella Olivia Clark as Bela. Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed, and Karen Allen round out the supporting cast. The trailer, which captivated audiences before ‘The Odyssey’, has made this one of the most anticipated horror films of the season, running for a concise 93 minutes.

However, the film’s brisk runtime poses a challenge, as it reveals its strongest ideas early on, leaving little to build upon. The initial segments are the most effective, but much of this has already been showcased in marketing, diminishing the element of surprise before the film begins. What follows feels like a movie anticipating its second act.

Savage has mentioned that the film contains around 50 jump scares, which reflects its overall approach. While a few jump scares are effective, the frequent jolts prevent any real sense of dread from developing. Scares that lack tension end up feeling more like loud noises than genuine fear, leading to a diminishing impact as the film progresses.

Chastain is the standout performer, fully committing to both aspects of her dual role and providing a backbone that the surrounding material often lacks. Her performance deserves a more compelling and innovative film to inhabit.

Unfortunately, the supporting material falters. The entity’s backstory is underdeveloped, the marital strife that supposedly drives the plot lacks emotional weight, and the narrative structure feels disjointed. Some humor lands awkwardly, and the family’s decisions in the face of clear danger often elicit groans rather than gasps. At its core, it resembles a haunted child story we’ve seen numerous times, offering little to make it feel fresh.

Despite its shortcomings, there are moments of visual intrigue, a few effective scares, and a lead actress who refuses to take it easy. I wanted to be genuinely frightened by this film, but I found myself waiting for the tension to escalate into something memorable after the credits. Given its strong premise and Chastain’s commitment, I rate ‘Other Mommy’ 4 out of 10.

Did ‘Other Mommy’ frighten you more than it did for me? Share your thoughts in the comments and let me know if you agree with my assessment.