⭐️⭐️ 2

Traditional horror film cinema releases alway ramp up as Halloween approaches. Following strong 2026 releases like Resident Evil and Obsession, could Other Mommy be another decent entry for horror fans?

I brought my daughter with me to see this film, a fellow horror enthusiast, and we walked away with almost identical thoughts.

The plot itself is minimal and largely nonsensical: eight-year-old Bella is haunted by a supernatural “other mommy.” While the story falls flat, the film benefits from a respectable budget, impressive CGI, and solid sound engineering that delivers a few good jump scares.

The highlight of the film is young actor Arabella Olivia Clark. The 10-year-old American actress delivers an impressive performance playing both Bella and her more evil alternate version, alongside Jessica Chastain in the role of her mother who is also impressive.

It’s certainly not the worst horror film out there, but aside from the climax, you could easily step out of the cinema for a break (mid-way) and jump right back in without missing anothing. The ending finally picks up the pace; while the main conflict is resolved, it leaves one narrative reveal feeling incomplete. A final glance from a key character heavily hints at a potential sequel, though perhaps I’m reading too much into it.

Ultimately, my daughter and I found it a bit below average. It’s enjoyable enough for a casual watch, but held back by a weak storyline.

⭐️⭐️ 2

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Trailer, synopsis and score below.

Directed by Rob Savage and adapted from Josh Malerman’s novel Incidents Around the House, Other Mommy (2026) is a psychological supernatural horror film centered on eight-year-old Bela, who is caught in the middle of her parents’ crumbling marriage. Seeking solace, Bela begins confiding in an entity that emerges from her bedroom closet—a distorted doppelgänger of her mother (Jessica Chastain) that calls itself “Other Mommy.” Night after night, the entity torments Bela with a single chilling request—”Can I go inside your heart?”—gradually escalating from eerie whispers to terrifying physical manifestations as it attempts to break down the child’s resolve and consume her soul before her real mother can intervene.

Online synopsis 

Film Rating

Music/Sound

3 out of 5

Story/plot

2 out of 5

Acting/Performances

4 out of 5

Overall

2 out of 5

Certification: 15
Running time: 133 minutes
Screening type: 2D