Mother, May I?

I wasted 1h30m on this movie last night only to have an ending that i wished I'd never started in the first place. The movie is slow the strory line makes no sense at all so boring.

This beautifully directed psychological thriller does not fit neatly into predefined genre boxes - which may frustrate some reviewers - but that may be its greatest strength. The intensely committed performances, writing, and direction grab and hold the viewer's attention throughout the film's taut 90 minute running time - and its unsettling themes and images linger long after the film has ended. Two days after watching Mother, May I?, I'm still wondering if it's a tale of ghostly possession, the imaginative reflection of damaged psyches, or a disturbing portrait of a toxic codependent relationship. It very well may be all three. It takes a great deal of courage on the part of the filmmakers to let those questions hover around the viewer - in an industry which demands that all characters be relatable and all questions be ultimately answered.

In short, this aint no horror movie but a psychological slow burn drama without any thrills, tension, suspense, blood or nudity. After a while the movie gets very monotonous with the couple doing the same pseudo therapy. While the film plays whether or not the lead female protagonist is actually possessed by the ghost of her mother in law or whether its the mushrooms or just the obsession of role playing going berserk. Nothing is explained in the end and as audience we are supposed to be in awe of such an open ending. Totally forgetable movie. Generous with a 3 cos of Holland Roden who was fantastic in Follow Me and Escape Room: Tournament of Champions.

If you're looking to fashion a double feature, you could definitely pair this film with Run Rabbit Run. Though, this film is neither as creepy, or well done as that film is. One thing is for sure...they definitely share some thematic similarities. With the wife taking on the characteristics of her husband's dead mother here; where the daughter takes on characteristics of her dead sister there. And both focusing on the psychological toll it takes on the main characters- when they are forced to face a cognitive dissonance breakdown, when their understanding of the world falls apart. The difference here being that we are looking at the effect it has on both parties, here. With the mystery at the center of this film being much more confounding. As two broken people use a shared traumatic experience to heal their underlying mental wounds. While not a bad film, it doesn't quite live up to the mastery of Run Rabbit Run. Which you can't help but compare it to (if you've recently watched both, like I have). To be fair though, this one does have an air of darkly comedic undertones to it. Despite it's sincerity. Whereas Run Rabbit Run is a more pure psychological thriller. Both films are great though! So make a double feature out of it. 5.5 out of 10.

A son whose deceased mother left him her home in upstate NY, arrives at the home with his fiance with the intent to see a realtor about selling the house, but the couple also arrive having some serious personal issues that they both have been trying to address and deal with, hoping to plan their lives together of having a family but to no avail. But once they are at his late mother's house, a weird turn off events begin to unfold where dude's mother ghost somehow manages to possess his fiance and now his fiance becomes his mother (real trippy) and then the weirdness begins to unravels. Not going any further about the story but let's just say that this was so not a horror film by a longshot but a couple in need of some serious therapy and possibly a few hugs....lol. How this was placed in the genre of horror is beyond me. Watchable just once.

If you're looking to fashion a double feature, you could definitely pair this film with Run Rabbit Run. Though, this film is neither as creepy, or well done as that film is. One thing is for sure, though...they definitely share some thematic similarities. With the wife taking on the characteristics of her husband's dead mother here; where the daughter takes on characteristics of her dead sister there. And both focusing on the psychological toll it takes on the main characters- when they are forced to face a cognitive dissonance breakdown, when their understanding of the world falls apart. The difference here being that we are looking at the effect it has on both parties, here. With the mystery at the center of this film being much more confounding. As two broken people use a shared traumatic experience to heal their underlying mental wounds. While not a bad film, it doesn't quite live up to the mastery of Run Rabbit Run. Which you can't help but compare it to (if you've recently watched both, like I have). To be fair though, this one does have an air of darkly comedic undertones to it. Despite it's sincerity. Whereas Run Rabbit Run is a more pure psychological thriller. Both films are great though! So make a double feature out of it. 5.5 out of 10.

I wouldn't classify this as a horror. This movie is more of a psych drama. Although it's a very decent film, it could of easily been way more intense and interesting had a few more elements added. I found the setting too "nice" A missed opportunity to convey a n added depth to the story. Some real good acting takes place, the camera work, lighting (which I could of used a lot more play with light and shadow, but it was, at least, present) sound and editing were competently done. It had a few eerie moments,it had a few warm and fuzzy moments, it had some uncomfortable moments, but none of it was what I would call surprising or edge of your seat. The story was above average but the last ten minutes, a few things didn't add up, for me. Better than a lot, but achingly soooo close to what could of been excellent. Would still recommend.