While much of the internet is focused on Jennifer Lawrence’s new comedy from NETFLIX, No hard feelingsHorror fans are turning to the film for a completely different vibe, and for good reason. Darren Aronofsky film Mother! it’s a quiet and unnerving portrayal of vulnerability and isolation, driven in large part by Lawrence’s stunning performance against the conflicted but stellar Javier Bardem.
Released December 2017 Mother! written and directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan) and especially stars Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games), Javier Bardem (There’s no place for old people here), Ed Harris (abyss, Westworld series) and Michelle Pfeiffer (What Lies Beneath).
The film begins with an immediate sense of dread caused by the vast and incomprehensible forest surrounding the couple’s new home. In some foreshadowing, Lawrence herself retreats from the overwhelming weight of the unknown lurking just beyond the tree line.
A growing sense of unease quickly creeps into the house when, later that evening, a mysterious stranger, played by Ed Harris, arrives looking for a room, claiming to have mistook the house for a bed and breakfast.
The tension in the film gradually builds as we follow Jennifer Lawrence’s character, an expectant mother, as she settles into her new home. The camera follows Lawrence in tight shots and over-the-shoulder shots, which limit the viewer’s perspective and further enhance the overall feel of the film.
As more and more strangers approach their door, we wonder why her husband is so quick to invite them in. It’s as if we, the audience, are the only ones who sense the confusion and growing anxiety on Lawrence’s face.
Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem deliver unforgettable performances in Mother!, director Darren Aronofsky’s lauded opus. Experience a visually arresting psychological thriller that will make your heart race and explode!
Paramount+
Filled with symbolism, the film’s central and house-bound location strikingly serves as a metaphor for the womb. A place that is meant to be safe, a place where love is nurtured and life is created.
However, the idea of the house as a dwelling is quickly being subverted. The house creaks and groans as each new guest arrives, each more annoying than the last. The deteriorating condition of the house mirrors Lawrence’s psychological downward spiral as they appear to be collapsing in parallel and the audience feels as trapped as she does as we quickly realize that something is terribly wrong.
Watch the trailer for mother! Here:
The film is currently streaming on Paramount+. See what fans had to say below, then see for yourself. Let us know if you found the movie as unnerving as these people did and drop us a comment. @DreadCentral Facebook: @DreadCentral or Instagram: @DreadCentral.