‘Mother’ Darren Aronofsky’s Brilliant, Disquieting, Explosive New Film

Photo courtesy of Paramount

“Mother” — what can I say about it? Well for one thing, it’s not like any other film I’ve seen. It’s part thriller, part horror and completely thought-provoking. In fact, it took me an entire day to process what I saw on the screen.

According to Aronofsky, “Mother” begins as a chamber story about marriage. At the center is a woman, aka Mother (Jennifer Lawrence) “who is asked to give and give and give until she can give nothing more.”

Mother and her husband, known as “Him” (Javier Bardem), live a seemingly idyllic existence in a secluded paradise. Mother spends her time catering to her husband in between painting their home, which was burnt down. Her husband is a brilliant, famous poet with major writing block. Mother has rebuilt her husband’s house because she loves him and wants to create for him the perfect environment. Her husband, however, is in need of constant praise. He needs to be worshipped and Mother is willing to give that. But eventually, it becomes apparent that Mother’s adoration is not enough for him.

When a stranger (Ed Harris) knocks on their door, much to Mother’s dismay, her husband not only lets him in but offers him a place to stay. Soon after, his wife (the scene-stealing Michelle Pfeiffer) comes knocking. Of course, she too is invited to stay. Next to arrive are two brothers (Brian and Domhnall Gleeson), who are the sons of the visitors. They barge into the house screaming at one another. It’s at this point that the tension between Mother and her husband begins to bloom. She wants them all to leave. He doesn’t.

If I told you what happens next, it would be a major spoiler. But what I will say is that the events that follow after the stranger and his wife arrive, is just the beginning of what becomes the most mind blowing, amazing, over the top, gothic screen event that will have you thinking and talking about it for a long time to come.

This is a film people will either love or hate, but they definitely will have strong opinions about. ‘Mother’  opens Friday, September 15th. Don’t miss it.