By Jacob Cameron

“Other Mommy” is a new horror film that comes from a promising director. With a very talented actress in the lead role. And it amounts to one of the least scary and most silly films in recent times.

“Other Mommy” was directed by Rob Savage who also directed the screen-life horror film “Host.” It starred Jessica Chastain, Jay Duplass, and Arabella Olivia Clark. It tells the story of a young girl named Isabela, played by Clark, who bonds with a supernatural entity, which she refers to as “Other Mommy.” Other Mommy has evil designs and plans for Isabela, which threaten to destroy her family. Along with unearthing secrets long buried.

Arabella Olivia Clark is the best part of the film by a significant margin. This film is not good; but there is an attempt made to get some kind of a good performance out of this character. Similarly, Jay Duplass is trying as well. On an emotional level, his character is the most interesting. This does not amount to enough emotional investment; but there is something there. Jessica Chastain isn’t given that much of a character either, and the chemistry between her and Duplass or Clark is weak. Any scene involving just Duplass and Clark together is actually not that bad.

The ultimate failure of this film lies with the script. This is a script that is simultaneously silly and confusing. By silly, the film has some of the most laughable imagery in a horror film this year. Including “Other Mommy” turning into a giant, gangly monster like the ending of Backrooms. Every time a death occurs, the body literally sparkles. There is a sequence in a ball Pitt, and the balls follow the family for the remainder of the film. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

There are also subplots involving Chastain’s mother in the film, played by Karen Allen, being a believer in ghosts and spirits. Then, a ghost hunting team comes into the picture, which goes absolutely nowhere. With the exception of a joke that dies a death. The dialogue is laughable at best in many scenes. With even worse moments containing what can only be assumed to be actual moments of comedy that did not work.

The cherry on top of the sundae is that there was a reveal involving the family’s relationship that came out of precisely nowhere. It was treated as this huge deal as the thing to stop “Other Mommy” once and for all. The reveal of what the secret is comes exactly out of nowhere, and it makes absolutely no sense to the narrative. It made no sense and had the effect of a wet fart.

Ultimately, this is one of the worst horror films of the year. 2026 has been a strong year for horror, and Other Mommy has nothing to offer except laughter. If you view this as a comedy, it is an amazing watch. But unfortunately, this is not a comedy. It’s a tragedy.

1/2 star