Iffy for 13+
Uneven movie has very scary scenes, some involving children.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Mama is a horror movie starring Jessica Chastain and produced by Guillermo Del Toro. It's very light on blood and gore, but there are lots of powerfully scary, spooky images, as well as scenes of young children in danger. Language is light (with one use of "f--k" and about three uses of "s--t"), and there's one brief scene of adult kissing and sensuality. Mama is a bit more ambitious than other horror films, and many horror-crazy teens will be able and eager to see it. But some of the movie's themes around motherhood and caring for children are a better fit for adult viewers.
- Families can talk about Mama's violence. Do horror movies have to be gory to be scary? How did the movie's spooky scenes affect you?
- What makes Mama scarier -- or less scary -- than other horror movies? How much spooky stuff does it show, and how much is hidden?
- Do you think the children in the movie appreciate or understand the lengths to which the two "mother" characters care for them and love them? What messages is the movie sending about parenthood?
- How does Annabel come to appreciate the role of motherhood? What is she like before that?
The good stuff
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Messages: Mama brings up some heavy, complex ideas about motherhood, fear, love, devotion, protectiveness, and selflessness. Some of the characters learn to change, opening their hearts and accepting new kinds of relationships.
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Role models: The girls' uncle is a selfless character who doesn't have much money but still wants to take care of his nieces. Annabel learns a great deal over the course of the movie, moving from being a very selfish person to a more giving and caring one.
What to watch for
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Violence: Many very spooky, creepy, and outright scary images, but very little actual blood. Children appear to be in danger in many scenes, especially a few early ones in which 1- and 3-year-old girls are with their panicked, unhinged father. (They survive a car wreck.) Secondary characters are killed, but only offscreen. A few semi-gory drawings are glimpsed.
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Sex: The main character and her boyfriend kiss and start to undress each other, but they're interrupted. No nudity is shown.
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Language: "F--k" is heard once during a voicemail message. "S--t" is said a few times, and "Jesus Christ" is used at least twice as an exclamation. Other words include "hell," "ass," butt," "crap," "oh my God," and "shut up."
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Consumerism: Enterprise Rent-a-Car is mentioned by name.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
OOooooh MAMA by Darkola
Went to see tihs today expecting just an "ok" movie, and was surprised as I really enjoyed this movie. The story in this movie keeps you interested, its not just a blood and gore move with no real story, and as far as scary, its not all scares as there is story, but there are a few spots throughout the movie that will make you jump, there are spots that will leave ya on the edge wondering whats going to happen. Besides scary, its a creapy movie also. The acting in this movie was really good all the way around, and the two kids, especially the younger one, they definitely pulled off their parts at keeping ya creaped out. I also give congrats to the filming of this movie, the way they used the camera to film certain parts, it completely added to the chilling effect of the movie. If your looking for a good story with a scare element added into it, not dirty or foul, with great acting, then go see this, I'd give this 3 out of 4 stars myself, enjoy :) Feel free to add me for reviews
4
Mama by dlmr_smile
This thriller was just that! It proved that a good movie can be made without gore, filthy language and nudity. There were a few scenes that made the whole audience yell out and jump in their seats. The only disappointment was the ending. They should have had it end with Mama jumping out at the audience one last time. If you like movies that will make you jump.....go and see it!
4
Creepy little girls... by bcjmunroe
I am torn between go and so-so on this movie. I found it to be enjoyable but it was not as scary as I hoped it would be. When I saw the first trailer it gave me goosebumps (something that has not happened in a long time). Like I said it was well done but I felt that there were too many comedic breaks which took away from the tension that was being built. This is not to say there aren't any scenes that will make you jump or give you the creeps - there are plenty of them. I think the most impressive thing about this movie is those two little girls. They made the movie worth seeing. Would have rather seen a different twist on the end but it was only pg-13. Overall a good first showing from Andrés Muschietti.
4
Thrilling by kathy1027
To be honesty, I didn't think MAMA would be any good. I'm a lover for horror movies.
I was wrong! MAMA's a thrill ride from the start. It's creepy and the suspense keeps you at the edge of your seat.
The plot was really good from the start. Although, I didn't care for the ending to much.
The cast was great! The cinematography was truly amazing.
This movie is definitely not for anyone under the age of 16.
5
great film by thinthin
I just saw Mama and I for one think it is very good it kept me on the edge of my seat,it was good all the way through.
3
I wanted to give this a "No" by MedRed
...but Mama does succeed in being creepy and has quite a few places that will make you jump.
Mama immediately throws you into a state of "what is going on?" and keeps you on edge. The plot setup requires the usual scary movie suspension of belief necessary to keep the story from crumbling before it gets to the meat and potatoes.
The middle of the movie rolls along nicely and delivers on the chills promised in the trailers.
Near the end it all unravels and Mama becomes predictable. The movie fully self destructs with an ending that's cliche, underwhelming, and sadly comical. I waited until after the credits ended in hopes the movie would tie up the two MAJOR loose ends that defeat the entire resolution of the movie.
Like Pan's Labyrinth, Guillermo del Toro succeeds in bringing out the visuals; however, Mama's ending is as weak as PL's ending was strong and the movie has only a fraction of PL's Imagination. D+
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3
A few spooky scenes, not all that though by movies2alert
Peeped early matinee of MAMA today and the theatre was almost empty. That should've told be something right there. I'd give it a "C+' for the few creepy scenes and sfx. The acting by the two little kids and Jessica Chastain was spot on. The plot is pretty atypical and by showing the ghost of Mama so early on, it really ruins the rest of the film, imho. You then can pretty much tell what comes next. A few mild scares & suspense, not the jump out of your seat, I can't watch what's going to happen next! lol. So, if you scare at the sound of "Boo", or of a 'threatening dust ball always circling on the floor (hint hint)" then maybe this will do it for you. If not, go, but don't expect much and form your own opinion. Or save $$ and catch it on VOD/Cable. After seeing Pan's Labyrinth, expected more from director Guillermo del Toro. Wish they'd spent more time developing the script, MAMA had potential. Boo!
4
Actually - Its not bad by philroberts2009
Going into Mama and after seeing the trailers, I suspected that this was going to be another "lets see how many times we can get the audience to jump" movie. Then in the first 15 minutes of the film I actually became a little bit upset. The two lead characters, little Victoria (played by Morgan McGarry in the younger version) and little Lilly (played by Sierra Dawe) are so cute that my first thought was I was going to be very angry if something "bad" happens to them. But as the story begins to unfold and the audience gets comfortable in their seats I found the movie keeping me interested and entertained with just a "few" jumps. Was the movie perfect? - No. As a ghost story movie goes, the ending didn't make a lot of sense. Consistently Hollywood ghost stories are about a spirit trying to right a wrong done to them. This film seemed to sort of go that way. But the ending was either not well thought out or its leading into a sequel. Jessica Chastain does a great job as Annie!
2
Don't bother. by Dragngt
While the movie was good, the ending was horrific. It leaves more questions than answers and doesn't make sense. The concept was good, the acting and story worked well but some things just made NO sense at all and it was blatant.
3
Its not the best but not the worst movie either by yanelicervantes16
Its pretty creepy. Im not sure if I would say scary but definitely creepy!
Didn't exactly like this movie but it was different so if you like "creepy" stuff go watch it!