Dir. Andrés Muschietti | Now Streaming On: Roku TV | Rating: 4/5

I lost count of how many sleepless nights Mama left me with after I saw it on opening night in theaters almost 9 years ago. I credit this film, along with The Woman in Black, for shoving me headfirst into my love for horror. Though a critically divisive project, Mama brought together some of the biggest names of contemporary horror, Guillermo del Toro and Andy & Barbara Muschietti. ⁠
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The strengths of Mama are characteristics of the work of del Toro. It’s hauntingly atmospheric, in a way that feels dark and whimsical at the same time. Del Toro is a master of setting the scene – from the color palette, to the imagery, to sound editing, everything is accounted for. Mama also features another master of horror, creature actor Javier Botet Lopez, who has graced the screen as some of the most memorable monsters of the last decade, as the titular entity. Now almost a decade later, it’s so interesting to see how this style has impacted the Muschiettis in their retelling of IT. ⁠
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The scene that stuck with me from this film for months after and still makes my stomach drop watching it, is a mere 30 seconds in the last half hour of the film. Victoria saying “She’s mad” will be burned into my brain as the moment I knew my horror obsession would be a lifelong thing. Rewatching this scene for this review feels like an inside joke, as the parallels between this 30 seconds and Stan’s run in with the Lady in the Painting of IT are uncanny. ⁠
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Mama is a beautiful and touching horror film, as characteristic of the director’s style. The weak spot of the film is its writing, as the plot does fall apart in a few places (unfortunately also characteristic of del Toro). It holds a special place in my heart and if that cushions my rating of this film, then so be it.

Know Before You Watch: Features flashing lights, blood, death, bugs.⁠