You Are Not My Mother

This film doesn't break major new ground, but it does inflect well what is often handled poorly in other types of films. First, it treats the confusion of human behaviors well, leaving the open sections with plenty of doubt. Second, it doesn't explode elements with a heavy hammer to reinforce the scares. Third, the human element isn't forgotten in this story. I appreciated the subtlety of the main actor in her portrayal of this misunderstood adolescent as well as the supporting antagonist actor who displayed realistic development. Quiet but with some punches, I look forward to a repeat viewing to gain more into this world and characters.

A good surprise. With a good story and full of important themes, the film is elevated by the talented cast and the very secure direction of Dolan (quite impressive for a debut).

It's not a terrifying horror film, maybe it even works better as a drama sometimes, but you always feel the tension in the air supported by a strong score and a naturally grey lighting (c'mon, more films in the UK and Ireland, this climate is perfect for horror 🤣).

This is a real good slow burn horror. People like to give bad reviews because it makes them feel emboldened. Pretty childish. Very good story that unfolds properly w a solid script. If you're into folklore coupled w horror then you're in good hands.

Char's mother Angela is acting strange. Angela rarely emerges from the bedroom, has trouble completing routine tasks like getting groceries and driving Char to school, and she is getting worse. The thing is Char really needs her mom right now. She is being bullied at school and needs someone to turn to for support and advice. This is when Angela unexpectedly disappears and then reappears in a hostile mood.

You Are Not My Mother is an intriguing, quirky, and female driven dive into Irish folklore, the supernatural, mental illness, and the rougher side of Dublin. Because of a low film budget there is not a lot of depth to the dialogue or acting, but there are bright spots too like the female focused story and the acting of Hazel Doupe (Char).

World premiere seen at the Toronto international film festival.

I was expecting an outlandish American horror from the description, I wasn't expecting an Irish movie about witchcraft and family woes.

I was expecting to see a few negative reviews, calling this out for being slow and boring, personally I would ignore them, and go into this with an open mind.

This film is deep, well measured, and very atmospheric. The story builds slowly, as does the action, naturally there's a crescendo at the end.

Very well acted, nicely filmed, and some nice, thoughtful, gritty visuals.

I was quite impressed with this, it held my attention, it surprised, and I liked the storyline, 7/10.