Other Mommy Review: Can Jessica Chastain’s Supernatural Horror Film Deliver a Truly Terrifying Experience?

Jessica Chastain returns to supernatural horror with Other Mommy, a psychological horror film that combines an unsettling paranormal mystery with the emotional tensions inside a family. Directed by Rob Savage, the film explores what happens when a young girl encounters a mysterious presence that looks like her own mother. Although the premise creates opportunities for disturbing moments and deeper emotional storytelling, the film's execution has received a mixed response from critics.

Released in US theatres on October 9, 2026, Other Mommy brings together supernatural horror, family drama and psychological tension. The film is based on Josh Malerman's bestselling 2024 novel Incidents Around the House and features Jessica Chastain in a challenging dual role. [1]

Other Mommy Movie: Story and Central Concept

The story revolves around Bela, a young girl who encounters a frightening entity inside her home. The disturbing part is that the presence appears to resemble her mother, Ursula, making it difficult to separate the familiar from the frightening.

As the mysterious figure becomes increasingly threatening, Bela's family faces a situation that challenges its understanding of safety and trust. What initially appears to be a child's frightening experience gradually becomes a more serious problem for everyone in the household.

The film's central idea is particularly effective because it turns an everyday source of comfort into something potentially dangerous. A mother is traditionally associated with protection and reassurance. When a supernatural entity adopts that same appearance, the contrast creates an immediate sense of unease.

However, an intriguing premise alone cannot sustain an entire horror film. The story also needs convincing character development, carefully constructed suspense and a satisfying explanation of its supernatural elements.

Jessica Chastain's Dual Role

Jessica Chastain plays Ursula, Bela's mother, as well as the sinister entity known as Other Mommy. This dual performance places her at the centre of the film's identity.

The challenge is to make the two versions of the same character feel different while retaining enough similarities to make the supernatural deception believable. Small differences in behaviour, expressions and the way a character interacts with others can be particularly effective in this kind of horror story.

Chastain has previously appeared in horror films such as Mama and It Chapter Two. Her involvement gives Other Mommy an experienced performer capable of handling both emotional scenes and unsettling character work. [2]

Nevertheless, even a committed performance cannot automatically overcome weaknesses in the screenplay or the overall atmosphere. The effectiveness of the film depends on how successfully the story uses its central character to build tension rather than relying primarily on frightening appearances.

Rob Savage's Approach to Supernatural Horror

Director Rob Savage has established a connection with horror through projects including Host and The Boogeyman. His work on Other Mommy brings him into a story where domestic surroundings become the setting for supernatural danger.

The film is produced by James Wan, whose horror credits include The Conjuring and Insidious. The production also brings together Blumhouse Productions, Atomic Monster and Spin a Black Yarn. Screenwriter Nathan Elston adapted Malerman's novel for the film. [3]

These creative connections make the project an interesting addition to contemporary supernatural horror. However, familiar genre experience and established production companies do not guarantee that every new release will succeed.

According to the available critical coverage, Other Mommy has an appealing underlying idea but does not consistently transform it into sustained fear. The Hollywood Reporter review also identifies the film's limited ability to develop its frightening moments into a more effective overall experience. [4]

Family Tension Adds Another Layer

Beyond its supernatural storyline, Other Mommy uses the relationship between Bela and her parents to introduce emotional conflict.

Jay Duplass plays Bela's father, Russ, while Arabella Olivia Clark portrays Bela. The supporting cast includes Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed and Karen Allen. [5]

This family setting matters because children can notice tension between adults even when they cannot fully understand its causes. A frightening presence that appears connected to the child's home life can therefore function as more than a conventional horror device.

The concept gives the filmmakers an opportunity to examine insecurity, emotional distance and a child's need for reassurance. These themes could make the story more affecting than a straightforward supernatural thriller.

The difficulty lies in balancing the emotional material with the horror. If family problems are introduced but not explored sufficiently, they may feel like background details rather than an essential part of the story.

What Critics Are Saying About Other Mommy

Critical responses suggest that the film's biggest weakness is the gap between its promising concept and its execution.

The Hollywood Reporter describes a film with an interesting emotional foundation but only occasional success at creating genuine scares. Other published reviews have also questioned its suspense, pacing and ability to make the supernatural threat consistently frightening. [6]

This does not mean every viewer will have the same experience. Horror audiences respond differently to atmosphere, sudden shocks, disturbing imagery and psychological storytelling. Viewers who enjoy stories about unsettling family dynamics may find aspects of the film interesting even if its scares do not work equally well for everyone.

Still, the criticism highlights an important distinction: a film can have an effective trailer, a recognisable cast and an intriguing premise without delivering the same impact throughout its runtime.

Is Other Mommy Worth Watching?

Other Mommy is likely to attract viewers interested in supernatural mysteries, sinister doppelgängers and horror stories set within family homes. Jessica Chastain's dual role and the adaptation's source material provide clear reasons for genre fans to take an interest.

However, viewers looking for consistently intense suspense and a carefully developed supernatural mythology may want to approach the film with measured expectations, given the critical concerns about its execution.

The film's strongest element is its central idea: a child encounters a frightening figure that looks like the person she should be able to trust most. Its challenge is turning that disturbing concept into a coherent and memorable cinematic experience.

Final Verdict

Other Mommy offers a promising foundation for supernatural horror, supported by Jessica Chastain's central performance and a story that connects paranormal fear with family tension. Yet the mixed critical response suggests that its concept does not always translate into the sustained suspense the genre demands.

For viewers who appreciate unusual horror premises and psychological undertones, the film may still be worth considering. Those expecting relentless scares or a fully satisfying supernatural mystery should keep the critical reservations in mind.

Ultimately, Other Mommy demonstrates that the most unsettling horror ideas are not always enough on their own. Strong storytelling, emotional depth and carefully controlled suspense are what turn a frightening concept into a lasting movie experience.