The relationship Annabel develops with her husband’s nieces is genuine and compelling. Though, reluctant at first, Annabel eventually forms a motherly bond with them and will do anything to protect Victoria and Lily. Needless to say, she is stunned when she finds out that the person the girls refer to as “Mama” is not an imaginary mother figure that the girls created during their isolation, but is in fact a real wicked and destructive spirit who gives new meaning to the word over-protective. Annabel begins to search for evidence of Mama’s life on earth and is shocked by what she finds. All of this leads up to a chilling conclusion that is not necessarily what the viewer wants, but gives us something to think about as we leave the theater.
Jessica Chastain in “Mama.” © 2013 – Universal Pictures.
I personally have never been so emotionally invested in a horror movie as I was in Mama. The innocence of the two girls, which remains throughout the film, is not something we are used to seeing. In my experience, the children sometimes become somewhat devilish as they are being haunted. This is not the case in Mama. Instead, the girls are sweet and lovable and even become protective of Annabel as Mama becomes increasingly jealous of their new mother figure. The situation is completely heart-wrenching, which is unlike any other horror movie that I have seen. And kudos to the amazing young actresses that played Victoria and Lilly. They do an outstanding job and hopefully will not suffer from any long-term psychological damage after having acting in such a frightening film.
Mama boasts a creative story and the film is very well done overall. Don’t misunderstand, there are still cheap horror thrills and scenes that make you jump and laugh simultaneously, but these would be missed if not present. I actually expect to be jumpy and creeped out during a horror film. I also expect the story to scare me after the fact and make me sleep with a light on. And for all of these reasons, Mama definitely does not disappoint.
