Buzz
In the realm of psychological horror, both timeless and contemporary, themes of motherhood and fertility often take center stage, evoking fear through their unsettling familiarity. Whether it’s the menacing matriarch driven to shield or harm her offspring, or the vulnerable mother in need of protection from malevolent forces, these narratives captivate and horrify. To celebrate Mother’s Day, here’s a curated list of ten haunting and refined horror masterpieces where motherhood is a pivotal element.
10. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Directed by Roman Polanski
This iconic 1968 film, adapted from Ira Levin’s novel and brought to life by Roman Polanski in his debut U.S. feature, stands as the ultimate tale of maternal horror. Mia Farrow portrays Rosemary, a naive young woman whose life takes a dark turn after moving into a luxurious yet sinister apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side with her husband, Guy. Following a bizarre and hazy night, Rosemary becomes pregnant, only to uncover a chilling conspiracy involving her husband and the building’s occult-obsessed residents. The shocking revelation? Her unborn child’s father is none other than The Devil.
If this storyline feels recognizable, it’s because it has been replicated countless times over the 48 years since its debut. However, Rosemary’s Baby pioneered this narrative and is hailed as one of the most exceptional horror films in history, even securing two Academy Award nominations. In 2014, it was honored by the Library of Congress with a place in the National Film Registry for preservation.
9. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992)
Directed by Curtis Hanson
While Rosemary embodies vulnerability and uncertainty about motherhood, the deranged Mrs. Mott is consumed by a desperate desire for children, even if they aren’t biologically hers. This darkly entertaining film tracks the vengeful widow of Victor Mott, a disgraced obstetrician, whose personal tragedies—a miscarriage and financial ruin—fuel her mission to dismantle the life of the woman she blames for her downfall. Disguised as a devoted nanny, Mrs. Mott infiltrates Claire Bartel’s household, meticulously manipulating the family she plans to claim as her own. Designed to shock, this film continues to surprise audiences with the lengths Mrs. Mott will go to achieve her twisted goals.
Though not celebrated as a cinematic masterpiece, the film debuted to mixed reviews but strong box office performance. It remains a thrilling pick for fans of stories about mothers who have truly lost their sanity.
8. The Others (2001)
Directed by Alejandro Amenabar
This haunting gothic masterpiece, penned, directed, and scored by Spanish American filmmaker Alejandro Amenabar, stands out for its atmospheric brilliance. Echoing the eerie tone of Henry James’s *The Turn of the Screw*, the film features Nicole Kidman as Grace, a strict yet isolated mother residing in a sprawling English mansion shrouded in darkness to safeguard her two children, who suffer from extreme photosensitivity. With her husband away at war during World War II and no word of his return, Grace battles growing paranoia and cabin fever, becoming increasingly convinced that her home is haunted. Her distrust extends to the servants, her children, and even her own sanity.
Filled with shadowy interiors and spine-chilling moments, this film delivers a meticulously crafted narrative and an emotionally devastating twist. Widely regarded as Amenabar’s most commercially successful work, it earned critical acclaim, winning eight Goya Awards and securing nominations for a Golden Globe for Kidman and two BAFTA Awards.
7. Dark Water (2005)
Directed by Walter Salles
Produced by the team behind *The Ring* and *The Grudge*, this film is a remake of a 2002 Japanese horror classic. Based on a short story by Koji Suzuki, the author of *The Ring* trilogy, it shares a similarly eerie atmosphere. The story follows Dahlia (Jennifer Connelly), a mother fighting for custody of her daughter while living in a dilapidated apartment complex on Roosevelt Island. As they struggle with the building’s haunting past, including ghostly apparitions and persistent water leaks, Dahlia uncovers the tragic story of a young girl’s spirit longing for a mother. Torn between her own child and the spectral presence, Dahlia faces an impossible choice.
This slow-building thriller garnered mixed reviews from critics, but Jennifer Connelly’s portrayal of maternal love is undeniably powerful. The film’s unsettling themes bear an uncanny resemblance to the mysterious death of Elisa Lam, whose body was discovered in a water tank atop LA’s Cecil Hotel in 2013. Her final surveillance footage, widely regarded as one of the internet’s most chilling clips, can be viewed above in place of the trailer for *Dark Water*. Notably, this real-life tragedy occurred eight years after the film’s release.
6. The Orphanage (2007)
Directed by J.A. Bayona
This marks J.A. Bayona’s first feature film, embodying the enchanting yet eerie essence of Spanish horror cinema. Set in coastal Spain, Laura returns with her family to the orphanage where she spent her childhood, intending to transform it into a haven for disabled children. However, tensions arise with her adopted son, Simon, who befriends an imaginary boy named Tomas, known for wearing a sack over his head. When a social worker, Benigna, threatens Simon’s safety, Laura expels her from the property. But after Simon vanishes, Laura questions whether Benigna is to blame or if a more malevolent force is at play, compelling her to face the orphanage’s spectral past to rescue her son.
While the story is deeply emotional, its terrifying moments are masterfully executed, showcasing hints of Bayona’s later work in *The Impossible*. A gem among Spanish horror classics, it remains underappreciated compared to others on this list and has been considered for an American remake in various forms over the years. Yet, nothing rivals the raw performances of the two grieving women in the original.
5. Inside (2007)
Directed by Alexandre Bustillo & Julien Maury
This film starkly contrasts with the refined entries above, delivering a visceral and shocking experience. A standout in French new wave horror (alongside cult favorites like *Martyrs*), it demands psychological resilience. For those who can endure its graphic intensity, the film offers unparalleled terror. The plot centers on a pregnant woman, grieving her husband’s recent death, whose life spirals further into chaos when a mysterious intruder targets her unborn child. On the eve of her delivery, the stranger’s violent actions make it clear: she will stop at nothing to claim what is “inside.”
*Inside* has been celebrated for its boldness and its subversion of traditional villain archetypes. An English-language remake is currently underway, directed by Miguel Vivas, whose film *Kidnapped* demonstrates his expertise in crafting intense home invasion narratives.
4. Mama (2013)
Directed by Andres Muschietti
This supernatural horror film, inspired by Muschietti’s Argentine short, fully embodies its title. The plot revolves around two feral girls discovered in a remote forest cabin, believed to have survived alone against all odds. Now under the care of their uncle and his girlfriend, Annabel, the girls struggle to adapt to normal life, frequently mentioning “Mama,” a shadowy figure who protected them in the wilderness. Annabel, initially unprepared for motherhood, grows attached to the girls but soon realizes she must contend with Mama, a vengeful maternal spirit determined to reclaim them.
The influence of Guillermo del Toro, director of *Pan’s Labyrinth*, is evident here, with its fairy-tale-like atmosphere and the menacing presence of Mama, a ghostly witch. Enhanced by practical effects and the talents of master contortionist Javier Botet, Mama’s eerie, disjointed movements are genuinely spine-chilling.
3. Psycho (1960)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
No Mother’s Day horror list would be complete without this iconic Alfred Hitchcock film. The story follows a Phoenix secretary, portrayed by Janet Leigh, who embezzles money from her employer and flees to a remote motel run by Norman Bates, a young man deeply influenced by his overbearing mother. Even from beyond the grave, Norman’s mother exerts control over him, as he assumes her identity—donning her clothes and wig—to carry out her dark desires, including the unforgettable shower scene.
After experiencing this cinematic masterpiece, you’ll reconsider any rebellious thoughts toward your mother—and at the very least, remember to send her a card.
2. Goodnight, Mommy (2015)
Directed by Severin Fiala & Veronika Franz
This Austrian psychological thriller, released just a few months ago, is already on its way to becoming a horror classic. The story centers on a woman who returns to her secluded, modern home after undergoing extensive facial surgery. Her twin sons are relieved to have her back, despite her unsettling appearance with her face wrapped in bandages. However, as her behavior grows increasingly bizarre and hostile, the boys begin to question whether the person beneath the bandages is truly their mother.
Selected as Austria’s entry for the 88th Academy Awards, the film’s stunning cinematography makes it clear why it was chosen. Echoing the eerie tone of classics like *The Bad Seed* and *The Other*, it delivers relentless, dread-filled imagery. After watching, you’ll think twice about how you bid your mother goodnight.
1. The Babadook (2014)
Directed by Jennifer Kent
Debuting as writer and director, Jennifer Kent’s Australian psychological horror film made waves at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and has since garnered widespread praise. The story follows a single mother, grappling with the traumatic loss of her husband, as she tries to manage her son’s growing terror of a monster from a storybook, The Babadook, which he believes haunts their home. As the sinister presence becomes undeniable, she finds herself unable to distinguish reality from illusion, or what she can control from what she cannot.
The film carries a storybook-like charm, transforming a childhood nightmare into a gripping tale with just the right balance of suspense, steering clear of clichés. It has also been praised for its nuanced depiction of mental illness and the challenges of motherhood, personified as a tangible, living monster. Jennifer Kent has emerged as a powerful female voice in horror cinema, and *The Babadook* is an essential watch for Mother’s Day.
