Mother, May I? (2023) User Reviews

Somewhat better, just no masterpiece.

[Patient444 · 5/10 · 12 August 2023]

Mother, May I, or paraphrasing, Mother, Should I give this a go?

I think so yes, first of all, for our new male lead horror actor, Kyle Gallner, emphasis on male. A lot of new scream queens lately, which of course is a good thing, seeing people embracing this genre and becoming a symbol of it. But we do lack on the male part, we still rely heavily on Tony Todd, Lance Henrikssen, Robert Englund and so on.

But honestly if you remove Mr. Kyle from the equation, I have to say, Mother, May I is overall a little bland. I won't call it generic, it just doesn't offer as much as it promises, yet it does manage to hit some soft spots, just without a real echo to them.

So for a die hard horror fan, yes, for a one time view, this movie should be on your list, with the clarification that it is a psychological war here, with a little bit of mystery, but no horror, or tension or scares.

If this is what you're looking for, you might actually be pleasantly surprised, I hope. A movie in the type of Goodnight Mommy, The Lodge, or It Comes At Night.

Definitely no The Ritual sadly.

So all in all, another piece of the horror puzzle has been found, take it or leave it.

Cheers!

Not horror, but a suspense story of a couple in need of some serious therapy.

[LordCommandar · 4/10 · 10 August 2023]

A son whose deceased mother left him her home in upstate NY, arrives at the home with his fiance with the intent to see a realtor about selling the house, but the couple also arrive having some serious personal issues that they both have been trying to address and deal with, hoping to plan their lives together of having a family but to no avail. But once they are at his late mother's house, a weird turn off events begin to unfold where dude's mother ghost somehow manages to possess his fiance and now his fiance becomes his mother (real trippy) and then the weirdness begins to unravels. Not going any further about the story but let's just say that this was so not a horror film by a longshot but a couple in need of some serious therapy and possibly a few hugs....lol. How this was placed in the genre of horror is beyond me. Watchable just once.

Apparently moths have sharp teeth or something

[ksgillihan · 6/10 · 25 July 2023]

I rated this film a six because it is actually far above average considering what most movies today are. However I just couldn't bring myself to give it more than that because I couldn't get into it. I understand the basic premise behind the movie and what the director wanted; I just didn't really care for it in the end. You aren't exactly completely sure what is going on throughout the film but I think that is what they were going for. Letting the viewers decide for themselves if they think their take is correct or not. It just felt a bit too tedious to me. I think the film could have done more to bring the whole thing together more coherently and then it could appeal to a wider audience because of that. Overall I'm not pleased I watched it but I can't exactly call it bad, because it's not. It's just not my cup of tea.

Cool ending but kinda disappointing.

[jamkafka · 3/10 · 7 August 2023]

It is evident that "Mother, May I?" is the kind of film that has no resolution and at the same time, a so-called 'bore-fest', that drags on. I feel like this would've worked well if the script wasn't messy, or if it wasn't as dull as it is. I think somewhere in between the lines, there is a goal here, but in my experience as sad as it may be, it is quite a disappointing one. I did like the ending-- I think there is something cerebral in the outcome of the story; where the lines "I need a child" and "I need a mother" blends in a symbolic yet insane way for the Emmett's own suffering to end and for him to be reunited and feel his mother's love once more. Although, with its ending, I think it leaves some plot holes which is why everything is messy and confusing. Even Kyle Gallner couldn't save this film, sadly.

The film has a very kafkaesque tone with the symbolism of the moth, while trying hard to aim Bergman's Persona which fails to represent.

However, I am praising Gallner's consistently pleasant performance (he can masterfully make a scene interesting just with his presence), the amazing score that felt very Hitchcockian, the cinematography (those camera tricks with the match cuts and great transitions were just pleasing), and the production design as well as the beautiful color grading of this film.

Boring

[deloudelouvain · 4/10 · 12 April 2024]

Mother, May I is categorized as a horror/thriller. Just the mindset I was in tonight, a good, hopefully scary movie. Well it turned out to be a huge disappointment. It's not a horror movie at all, or I must have missed something, and even as a thriller it didn't do the job. Instead what you get is a boring story, very repetitive and at a slow pace. The acting fron the small cast was just okay, nothing mesmerizing at all. Writer/director Laurence Vannicelli didn't convince me at all. It for sure doesn't want me to watch other movies from Laurence Vannicelli. I really wonder why they would categorize this one as horror.

Another slowtard like Hereditary, Vvitch, etc. Thrice my reviews got reported n deleted without it contradicting submission guidelines. That means the fellas....

[Fella_shibby · 1/10 · 1 March 2024]

That means the fellas involved in this lousy movie cannot digest opinions.

In short, this aint no horror movie but a psychological slow burn drama without any thrills, tension, suspense, blood or nudity.

After a while the movie gets very monotonous with the couple doing the same pseudo therapy.

While the film plays whether or not the lead female protagonist is actually possessed by the ghost of her mother in law or whether its the mushrooms or just the obsession of role playing going berserk.

Nothing is explained in the end and as audience we are supposed to be in awe of such an open ending.

Totally forgetable movie.

Earlier i was generous with a 3 cos of Holland Roden who was fantastic in Follow Me and Escape Room: Tournament of Champions.

But now aft repeated deleting of my review, I giv it a 1.

Yes, you should!

[dweston-38669 · 26 September 2023]

This is a well acted (Holland Roden and Kyle Gallner) chamber piece ,largely set in one location- a converted barn but with enough zip, dark humour and chemistry between the two that I was intrigued and invested.

Although some would certainly say its dull and boring and although marketed as a ' horror' it's clearly a psychological horror comedy.

It is slow but creates a malevolent atmosphere of chills that reminded me,and I'm not joking, of Von Triers controversial 'Antichrist'- two people trying therapy after a bereavement, alone in the country,slowly going mad- although no genital mutilation is thankfully not involved.

I'm willing to forgive the lazy scripting of Anya finding the hospital report of a younger Emmett in the basement so near the entrance and so easy.

It's also good to see the ever reliable Chris Mulkey as the neighbour.

Achingly close to REALLY good

[tdwillis-26273 · 6/10 · 14 August 2023]

I wouldn't classify this as a horror. This movie is more of a psych drama. Although it's a very decent film, it could of easily been way more intense and interesting had a few more elements added.

I found the setting too "nice" A missed opportunity to convey a n added depth to the story.

Some real good acting takes place, the camera work, lighting (which I could of used a lot more play with light and shadow, but it was, at least, present) sound and editing were competently done.

It had a few eerie moments,it had a few warm and fuzzy moments, it had some uncomfortable moments, but none of it was what I would call surprising or edge of your seat.

The story was above average but the last ten minutes, a few things didn't add up, for me.

Better than a lot, but achingly soooo close to what could of been excellent.

Would still recommend.

It's Hard Not To Compare This Film With Run Rabbit Run.

[meddlecore · 5/10 · 14 August 2023]

If you're looking to fashion a double feature, you could definitely pair this film with Run Rabbit Run.

Though, this film is neither as creepy, or well done as that film is.

One thing is for sure...they definitely share some thematic similarities.

With the wife taking on the characteristics of her husband's dead mother here; where the daughter takes on characteristics of her dead sister there.

And both focusing on the psychological toll it takes on the main characters- when they are forced to face a cognitive dissonance breakdown, when their understanding of the world falls apart.

The difference here being that we are looking at the effect it has on both parties, here.

With the mystery at the center of this film being much more confounding.

As two broken people use a shared traumatic experience to heal their underlying mental wounds.

While not a bad film, it doesn't quite live up to the mastery of Run Rabbit Run.

Which you can't help but compare it to (if you've recently watched both, like I have).

To be fair though, this one does have an air of darkly comedic undertones to it.

Despite it's sincerity.

Whereas Run Rabbit Run is a more pure psychological thriller.

Both films are great though!

So make a double feature out of it.

5.5 out of 10.

Not what you expected, it's better.

[ilikelickingeyeballs · 9/10 · 17 July 2023]

Oh man, what a rollercoaster! This movie doesnt really go in the direction you expect it to and i love it! Lovely scenery and a lot of weird creepy stuff done just right, just the right way. The shots and scenes were amazing and a pleasure to watch. The actress playing the girlfriend did so well!! Its really hard to act as a character on top of being another character. An out of body, not usual behavior for a character is hard to achieve. She did just that. You knew it wasnt her. Watching this you would expect some demons, exorcisms, a lot of blood, gore etc. Wrong! It didnt need that. It was able to achieve such an uneasy, edge of the chair atmosphere without any of that. It was so weird. You just wanted more. The ending? Incredible! Didn't expected it and loved to see it. This movie is such a twisted take on love, which i adored.

Awful plot and boring

[hayaosama · 3/10 · 8 February 2024]

Besides the fact that it doesn't fit the genre of horror at all, creepy at most. Although the actors do an amazing job but the storyline is full of loose ends, nothing really gets explained and majority of the film is very slow paced and confusing and ultimately has a very unsatisfying weird and preverse ending. Not worth watching at all even if you like psychological "horror". It felt almost like a knock-off low budget version of hereditary, with similar perversion and over all creepy vibes. Even after understanding the film and plot and whatnot it still does not make up for the lack of effort in story telling.

Horror masterpiece

[eleonoraturesson · 10/10 · 7 August 2023]

The ratings make you think that its not gonna be that good, but holy moly it was an emotional rollercoaster. It starts of strong but slowly and surely becomes even stronger. This movie far surpasses most horrors/thrillers ive seen. You are left feeling uncomfortable, uneasy and scared the whole way through. It is a highly unsettling movie. It has just enough jumpscares to never become predictable or goofy. If you like psychological horror more than gore this is the movie to watch. I wanted to turn away from the uncomfortable nature of the movie several times, but i was completely hooked and couldnt stop watching. Love, love, love.

A Delicious Slowburn

[hwhiteley-39619 · 9/10 · 9 August 2023]

Going in I thought it was going to be your standard run of the mill horror but it's more thoughtful than that. The acting is superb, and the way the central relationship is explored is done in a gradual yet still suspenseful way. The telling of a mother/son relationship and how it impacts his current relationship was compelling and fascinating to watch. Not to mention the scenery was beautiful and the camera shots really unique and cool. Some parts were a bit confusing to follow, but honestly I was blown away by the performances, the subtle twists and turns, and a resounding ending that makes you think and wonder. A thoughtful film perhaps not suited for those who just want the standard blood and gore but that's what makes it special- it relies on horror not obvious and over the top or unrealistic. The horror just slowly creeps up on you. Would definitely watch again.

A twisty psychological thriller that sticks with you

[adamsandel · 9/10 · 5 September 2023]

This beautifully directed psychological thriller does not fit neatly into predefined genre boxes - which may frustrate some reviewers - but that may be its greatest strength.

The intensely committed performances, writing, and direction grab and hold the viewer's attention throughout the film's taut 90 minute running time - and its unsettling themes and images linger long after the film has ended.

Two days after watching Mother, May I?, I'm still wondering if it's a tale of ghostly possession, the imaginative reflection of damaged psyches, or a disturbing portrait of a toxic codependent relationship. It very well may be all three.

It takes a great deal of courage on the part of the filmmakers to let those questions hover around the viewer - in an industry which demands that all characters be relatable and all questions be ultimately answered.

Come to mama

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 26 May 2023]

No pun intended - and sometimes things can be win/win - like when two individuals want the same thing. Or well things that do align with each other. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The movies pacing suggests otherwise anyway. Something that may break the movie for you - the finding phase. Coming to the house where his mother died and was living ... well our main character has a lot of things to deal with. Many things he does not want to face - as is quite evident.

His wife is there with him to help him deal with the past ... and the future. It takes a while to get going, but when it does, it really makes sense. And it is well portrayed overall. I kind of was thinking, that the main character could have done some things differently (as in what would I do in a similar situation kind of thing, especially considering his wife has a family/mother too), but overall it did make sense ... and in the end you will know why ... a smart movie, that needs you to be patient ... that's a good boy now (or girl, you know what (pun) I mean)