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Horror film

Good Madam (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Good Madam (2022) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
72
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Good Madam (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Jenna Cato Bass
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Studio
Shudder
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Good Madam

· 6 more
From the director

More from Jenna Cato Bass

More films directed by Jenna Cato Bass: Flatland, High Fantasy and Love the One You Love.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

72 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Awards

Good Madam Awards & Nominations

Good Madam earned 1 award nomination, including Platform Prize, Honorable Mention at the TIFF 2021.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Good Madam Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Good Madam.

Official Trailer
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What tragedy forces Tsidi to seek refuge with her mother?

Details

Good Madam Also Known As

2 alternative titles: “굿 마담” and “Хорошая хозяйка”.

Also known as
  • 굿 마담
  • Хорошая хозяйка

Seen Good Madam?

FAQ

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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