Defense of 'Other Mommy' Horror Film Highlights AI's Uncanny Qualities

Despite a critical drubbing and a low audience score, a defense of the new horror film "Other Mommy" argues that the movie effectively utilizes its central supernatural threat in ways that echo the unsettling imperfections of generative artificial intelligence. The film, starring Jessica Chastain, has received predominantly negative reviews, with only 17 percent of critics posting positive notices on Rotten Tomatoes and opening-night audiences polled by CinemaScore assigning it a "D+".

"Other Mommy" opened with a strong $27 million in North America, a success attributed to a compelling trailer that debuted over the summer. The trailer showcased a scene where Bela (Arabella Olivia Clark) witnesses her mother, Ursula (Chastain), transform into a monstrous entity. This dramatic hook, however, has not translated into critical or audience satisfaction.

Subverting Horror Tropes

The film has been praised for quickly sidestepping common clichés found in haunted-child narratives. Unlike many horror films that rely on extended periods of disbelief from parents or authorities, "Other Mommy" immediately establishes the presence of an "Other Mommy" entity and its distinction from the real mother. Both Bela's father, Russ (Jay Duplass), and Ursula herself witness the entity, leading to a swift descent into terror for the family.

The "Other Mommy" is depicted as a creature capable of imitating Ursula and taking on various forms, with the ultimate goal of possessing Bela's body. The entity can distort itself and the surrounding reality, particularly affecting Bela. Director Rob Savage's portrayal of these transformations, with their shifting scales and "melt-y" imperfections, is noted as being reminiscent of generative AI. One scene specifically points out the creature's "not-quite-right" fingers, a common issue in AI-generated imagery, framing this uncanny imitation of humanity as a source of horror.

This approach places "Other Mommy" in thematic proximity to films like "Backrooms," utilizing unsettling locations such as a sterile bachelor pad and an overcrowded play space. The latter features distorted slides and ball pits that appear to breach reality, evoking a Stephen King-esque sense of unease.

Unraveling the Mystery

However, the film eventually moves away from the uncanny to provide explicit explanations. The narrative reveals that Bela's vulnerability stems from a hidden secret that her parents are complicit in concealing. The "Other Mommy" then becomes a physical manifestation of their lies. This shift leads to a final act characterized by exposition and emotional catharsis, where the family confronts the "Other Mommy" after deciding to face it directly.

Before this literalization, "Other Mommy" is credited with strong performances, particularly from Chastain, who portrays both the conflicted mother and her monstrous doppelganger. Young Clark is highlighted as the film's anchor, with her performance navigating the fluctuating age requirements of the horror genre narrative. The film also features Karen Allen as Ursula's mother and includes a scene where paranormal experts admit their impotence against a genuine supernatural threat.

The review suggests that while the film risks silliness due to its unevenness, this very quality contributes to a "weirdly pleasurable experience." The "Other Mommy" is described as a "not-quite-right facsimile of something familiar," ultimately fulfilling its role as an unnerving presence.