Good Madam (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Good Madam is a 2022 horror film directed by Jenna Cato Bass, starring Chumisa Cosa as Tsidi, Nosipho Mtebe and Kamvalethu Jonas Raziya. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Platform Prize, Honorable Mention at the TIFF 2021. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Jenna Cato Bass
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Shudder
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Good Madam About?
The premise of Good Madam without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In the horror film Good Madam, a single mother named Tsidi is compelled to move back home with her estranged mother, Mavis. Mavis cares for a mysterious employer known only as "Madam," a catatonic woman, with an unusual and unsettling dedication. As Tsidi attempts to reconnect with her family and navigate their complicated history, a sinister force emerges, jeopardizing their precarious stability and revealing dark secrets from the past.
Good Madam Themes & Keywords
· 2 tags- psychological horror
- title directed by female
Good Madam Cast & Characters
Chumisa Cosa leads the cast as Tsidi, with Nosipho Mtebe as Mavis and Kamvalethu Jonas Raziya as Winnie. Directed by Jenna Cato Bass; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jenna Cato Bass
- Chumisa Cosa as Tsidi
- Nosipho Mtebe as Mavis
- Kamvalethu Jonas Raziya as Winnie
- Sanda Shandu as Stuart
Also Starring in Good Madam
· 6 more- Chris Gxalaba Malume Mthunzi
- Peggy Tunyiswa Xoliswa
- Siya Sikawuti Toto
- Babalwa Baartman Voice Artist
- Khanyiso Kenqa Luthando
- Sizwe Ginger Lubengu Siphenathi
More from Jenna Cato Bass
More films directed by Jenna Cato Bass: Flatland, High Fantasy and Love the One You Love.
Good Madam Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Good Madam 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (82) and weakest in rewatch factor (63).
Good Madam Echo Score Breakdown
Good Madam delivers a measured horror experience that intertwines social commentary with atmospheric tension, earning solid praise for its craft while stumbling in narrative cohesion. Critics commend the film’s visual restraint and strong performances, yet note the incomplete supernatural payoff and uneven pacing. The mixed reception translates into a respectable but not outstanding score, reflecting its strengths in style and themes against its storytelling gaps.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 82
Artistic execution stands out, with direction that cultivates a quiet, tightly wound atmosphere and cinematography that emphasizes stark, unsettling imagery. Critics highlight the film’s restrained visual palette and effective editing that sustain tension, while a few note occasional tonal shifts. Overall, the craft is regarded as a strong component that enhances the film’s horror sensibility.
- Character & Emotion 73
Character work receives commendation for its compelling performances, with several reviewers noting the actors’ ability to convey depth amid the film’s bleak setting. However, some criticism targets unclear motivations and inconsistent development, especially after tonal changes midway. The consensus acknowledges strong acting as a highlight, though character arcs occasionally feel under‑defined.
- Story & Flow 66
The narrative intertwines historical context with hints of supernatural dread, offering moments of intrigue and measured pacing in the early sections. Critics appreciate the originality of its social commentary but criticize the unresolved supernatural threads and a mid‑film tonal shift that disrupts cohesion. Consequently, the story is viewed as inventive yet uneven.
- Sensory Experience 77
Sound design and practical effects receive particular praise, with effective audio cues heightening the unsettling atmosphere. Visual elements, such as gnarly imagery and a restrained color scheme, reinforce the film’s tense mood. While some reviewers find the sensory impact less groundbreaking, the overall consensus is that the auditory and visual components significantly bolster the horror experience.
- Rewatch Factor 63
Rewatch potential is moderate; the film’s layered social themes and strong performances encourage a second viewing, yet the unresolved supernatural plot and uneven pacing may deter repeated engagement. Reviewers note that the atmospheric tension remains compelling, but narrative shortcomings limit its lasting appeal. Thus, the movie offers a respectable but not compelling incentive for repeat watches.
-
IMDb 5.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 84% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 42%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 59 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 41% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
2 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Good Madam Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Good Madam from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Still grieving the loss of her cherished grandmother, single mother Tsidi finds herself compelled to leave her home in Gugulethu due to an irreparable conflict with her relatives, who have ambitions for the family property. With no alternative shelter and a 9-year-old daughter, Winnie, to care for, Tsidi is reluctantly driven to reach out to her estranged mother Mavis. Mavis has spent the last three decades as a live-in domestic for a white woman known as Madam.
Full summary
The whole story of Good Madam, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Good Madam Awards & Nominations
Good Madam earned 1 award nomination, including Platform Prize, Honorable Mention at the TIFF 2021.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
TIFF 2021 1 nomination- Nominated Platform Prize, Honorable Mention – Jenna Cato Bass
Good Madam Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Good Madam.
How Well Do You Know Good Madam?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What tragedy forces Tsidi to seek refuge with her mother?
Good Madam Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “굿 마담” and “Хорошая хозяйка”.
- Also known as
-
- 굿 마담
- Хорошая хозяйка
Seen Good Madam?
Movies Like Good Madam
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Tía Madré, Madhouse and Madhouse.
Good Madam FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Good Madam, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Good Madam?
Good Madam runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Good Madam released?
Good Madam was released on July 14, 2022.
Who directed Good Madam?
Good Madam was directed by Jenna Cato Bass.
More films by Jenna Cato Bass Who is in the cast of Good Madam?
Good Madam stars Chumisa Cosa as Tsidi, Nosipho Mtebe as Mavis and Kamvalethu Jonas Raziya as Winnie, among 10 credited actors.
How is Good Madam rated?
Good Madam has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 41% on TMDB.
Was Good Madam nominated for any awards?
Good Madam received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Good Madam have a post-credit scene?
No. Good Madam has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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