Mothers' Instinct

I am a guy and this movie is primarily about the relationship between two women, two mothers, each with a husband and an 8-yr-old son. So I didn't know if I would enjoy it but I like both actresses, Chastain and Hathaway, so I watched it out of trust that they would not participate in a poor movie. It is actually a remake of a 2018 French movie "Duelles", with the same character names and the same basic story.

Filmed in New Jersey, the story is set in the 1960s, in one scene they are talking about whether new president JFK was too young, and one of the ladies says Jackie will run things anyway. Jessica Chastain is Alice and Anne Hathaway is Céline. They live next door to each other in a middle class neighborhood and each has a key to the other home. Their sons are best friends.

Then a tragedy strikes and that changes all the friend and family dynamics. It quickly develops into a very dark story as the family losses pile up and it is hard to say which are the stable ones. The ending was a total surprise to me, and is a very dark conclusion.

While it turns out to be a not very pleasant movie I enjoyed the viewing experience. My wife skipped, somehow she thought she had already watched the movie. Did she really?

At home, on DVD from my public library.

I think this film is brilliantly done. Anyone of a certain age remembers the way of life during the time period in which this is set and it's a thriller play on words, so to speak. The setting and style is spot on down to the smallest detail, to the point the thriller story itself is the secondary plot. I suspect certain generations may not quite get the significance. Chastain and Hathaway played their roles perfectly. I give this a high score because I do appreciate the nuances of life unfolding on screen and the sort of Hitchock'ish ... but not...chilling thriller innuendo that presents. I totally get it and I totally liked it.

This movie seemed like a modern take on "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle". It's quite the thriller, though for a while you're never sure if it's meant to be a thriller or drama. It had an unusual pace, which isn't a bad thing, but definitely didn't feel like your typical American movie. Especially the ending.

It's not an easy movie to watch, but it's worth it. It's also a fairly unique story and there should be more movies centered around toxic female friendships. We've all had them, it's time to acknowledge them and make useful stories of them. This is a good start.

Jessica Chastain really came alive in this the most out of everyone and was the most believable, but the others were good too. I'm not sure if I would watch it again now that I know the story, but if it had better dialogue it would be enough to come back for seconds.

"Mother's Instinct" is a psychological thriller that offers a compelling exploration of suburban paranoia, but ultimately falls short meriting a 6 out of 10 rating. Set in the 1960s, the film stars Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain as Alice and Celine, two neighbors whose idyllic lives unravel after a tragic accident.

The film's strength lies in its lead performances. Hathaway and Chastain deliver nuanced portrayals of complex characters, capturing the escalating tension with a sense of urgency that keeps viewers engaged. The production design and costume work are also noteworthy, effectively transporting the audience to the era with a meticulous attention to detail.

However, "Mother's Instinct" stumbles in its final act. The build-up of suspense and mystery, carefully crafted throughout the movie, culminates in an ending that feels both rushed and disappointing. . The resolution lacks the emotional payoff that the preceding narrative promises, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.

Despite its shortcomings, "Mother's Instinct" is a visually striking film with strong central performances. It's a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre, though it may not leave a lasting impression due to its underwhelming conclusion.

The beginning started out promising and the acting is superb as what you can expect from A-listers such as Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway. Kinda remind me of Fractured in Netflix as the premise is kinda guessing whether it is the bad guy and the hallucinating side. Sadly, those talents and concept are wasted in what started out as an intriguing story then turns into something dull boring with laughable ending.

There are plot holes here and there alongside with the SUPER PREDICTABLE storyline which makes the thrill gone by the end of the first half. With its 95 mins run time they can actually stretch it a bit and make it into something out of ordinary instead of this rushed B movie kind of story. Don't waste your time in the cinema for this.