Thescreescore – A recent cinematic endeavor from horror luminary James Wan has unexpectedly etched its name into the annals of film history, though perhaps not in the way fans or the acclaimed producer might have hoped. Wan, a name synonymous with modern horror, first rose to prominence as the co-creator of the groundbreaking Saw series, making his directorial debut with the original 2004 film—a micro-budget marvel that became a box office sensation. His creative vision further solidified with The Conjuring universe, now one of the most lucrative horror franchises ever, boasting a global gross exceeding $2.9 billion. Known for his uncanny ability to craft enduring and terrifying sagas, Wan’s involvement typically signals a certain caliber of genre filmmaking.
However, his latest R-rated production, Other Mommy, starring Academy Award-nominee Jessica Chastain, has unfortunately garnered significant critical attention, though not in the manner typically desired. The film has debuted with an abysmal 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 reviews, marking it as the lowest-scoring film produced by Wan since 2010’s Saw 7 (which hit 9%) and 2008’s Saw V (13%). This stark critical reception for Other Mommy represents an 18-year low for the prolific producer, an unprecedented stumble in his otherwise stellar horror track record.
While a few dissenting voices found merit in the feature, the overwhelming critical consensus points to significant flaws. One reviewer lamented, "Other Mommy‘s maximalist aesthetic wears you down with trite, over-egged set pieces," while another observed, "Some visually imaginative and occasionally creepy sequences ultimately have little to support them dramatically or thematically." These critiques often highlighted a disconnect between the film’s ambitious visuals and its narrative or thematic depth.
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Despite the predominantly negative feedback, a sliver of critics found enjoyment in the film’s audacious approach. One positive take described it as, "A wildly entertaining horror film that fully embraces its insanity, delivering creative jump scares, exciting visuals, and some genuinely thrilling sequences. Sure, you might see its twists coming, but the predictability NEVER takes away the fun."
Adding to the critical dissection, Josh Bate of thescreescore.com awarded the film a 4 out of 10, stating, "At the end of the day, the story is only one area that Other Mommy will be judged on. Nothing is scary about Other Mommy, and only the film’s very first sequence is even slightly creepy."
Directed by Rob Savage, known for his work on The Boogeyman, Other Mommy delves into the fractured world of Ursula (Chastain) and her eight-year-old daughter, Bela, as they grapple with marital strife. Their domestic turmoil is further complicated by the terrifying emergence of a sinister entity known as "Other Mommy," a doppelgänger of Ursula who threatens the family’s very existence. The film, which also features Arabella Olivia Clark, Sean Kaufman, Dichen Lachman, Jay Duplass, Arian Moayed, Travis Nelson, and Karen Allen, bypassed traditional critic screenings, with reviews arriving only after Thursday preview showings ahead of its October 9, 2026, release. With a runtime of 93 minutes, and a screenplay by Josh Malerman and Nathan Elston, Other Mommy is now playing in theaters, inviting audiences to form their own judgments on this critically divisive horror entry.
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