By Romey Norton - February 17, 2025
Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek, The Rig) and Christian Convery (Cocaine Bear) star in the compelling horror film Mom. Meredith (known as Em) is a struggling mother who is abandoned by her family and partner after a tragic accident. Becoming more and more isolated, she finds herself being haunted by a sinister entity that forces her to relive her darkest moments.
The film begins with two new parents bringing home their baby to a big house in the suburbs, with shots of a picture perfect family environment. Quickly this turns to the realities of having a new born. Messy house, nappy explosions and the physical and mental struggles a woman who has given birth goes through.
As Em's mental struggles continue, the story becomes very unnerving. Em is struggling and questioning herself as a mother, and so do we as the audience. As scenes escalate you’re sitting waiting for something bad to happen to the baby, which spoiler alert, it does. This is quite brutal and striking to put in the film, but it is needed to push the horror narrative along.
Em is then haunted by her dead son, which represents her mourning the loss of her child and her future. There is an entity which is holding onto her son, which reveals itself towards the end.
As the story continues, Em is committed to a hospital, her partner and sister try to help her, but she is completely engrossed with the idea her son is alive and they can have the perfect life together. She even throws a dinner party and insists her son Alex is sitting at the table.
Hampshire does a stellar job portraying a struggling mother, you can feel her exhaustion and high anxiety through the screen. And when her mental capacity is slowly descending into madness she’s convincing and completely compelling to watch on screen. Convery is excellent as the supportive and confused partner, trying to do his best and I wanted a better ending for his character. Together they have excellent chemistry on screen and bring this terrible story to life.
Intense and creepy orchestral music is used throughout which helps build suspense, and prepares the audience for some decent jump scares. But this film is far more about scaring the audience psychologically. The film has classic horror tropes such as very dark cinematography, and Em contrasting in white and cream clothing. I did appreciate the ghosts/spirits being real actors and not CGI.
The ending is quick, but doesn’t feel rushed, without giving too many spoilers you can predict what is going to happen but it is still shocking when it does.
With themes of parenthood, motherhood, self-love and forgiveness, Mom is a film that’s filled with high emotion and vulnerability. While it’s not scary visually, psychologically it will send shivers down your spine. With excellent acting and an intense story, this film is a must watch for all horror-thriller fans.
Out now on digital platforms
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