Horror Movie Review: Mom (1991)

Part horror, part black comedy, and part drama, Mom is a baffling, but compelling watch. Coming from director Patrick Rand, who co-wrote the story with Kevin Watson, it stars Mark Thomas Miller, Jeanne Bates, Brion James, Mary Beth McDonough, and Art Evans (two of who were in Die Hard 2, if you can believe that!).

Emily Dwyer (Bates) is a sweet elderly lady who decides to rent out her spare room, as much for the company, now that her children have moved out. Her son, Clay (Miller) is less than pleased by this, especially when one lodger named Nestor (James) seems a bit… off.

I’d say it was good instincts but from the moment we, the viewer, meet Nestor, it’s made clear that he is not exactly human. What he seems to be is some sort of demonic monster, one that relies on human flesh to survive and particularly likes pregnant women. Driven by an insatiable hunger, he kills without care but takes a liking to Emily so instead of killing her, he ‘infects’ her, making her like him.

Obviously, Clay is less than pleased about this when he finds out, and ends up killing Nestor, leaving his mother without someone to guide her as she goes through her transformation. A big problem as her appetite grows and she struggles to contain her desire for human flesh, even that of her loved ones. Clay has no choice but to try and help her, covering up her bloody tracks, and putting his entire life at risk to ensure no harm comes to her, or others.

While it may not have been on purpose, there’s no denying that Mom has several real-life analogies. From a changing relationship between mother and son, especially when the son is having his own child, as is the case here. To how the elderly are treated in society, the idea of an older women being independent is seen as unusual, and the lack of care/information around mental health issues. You can even see an analogy towards disease such as dementia, as Emily is often unaware of her own actions and Clay simply can’t accept the evidence of his own eyes.

This is where the dramatic side of Mom comes from, and it dominates the film. Yet, that’s not a bad thing as it allows the viewer to relate and really feel the connection between mother and son. Something that is made all the more powerful by excellent performances from the leads (and supporting cast too). Jeanne Bates is genuinely adorable at times, but also genuinely terrifying too. When transformed into the monster, she plays the part with gusto, and the whole vibe is helped by strong effects that hold up really well too.

This also extends to the gore, of which there is also plenty to enjoy. After all, drama and light moments of black comedy aside, Mom is a horror film and does what it can to satisfy there. It doesn’t always feel like it, but when it ramps up, it ramps up in delightfully campy style.

Alas, it’s not the film’s main focus, something made abundantly clear by the depressing ending, which for many, will be quite emotional. Not what you normally expect from a horror film, and surely that’s not a bad thing, right?