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Horror film

Madres (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Madres (2021) movie poster

Madres is a 2021 horror film directed by Ryan Zaragoza, starring Ariana Guerra as Diana, Tenoch Huerta and Robert Larriviere. It earned $4,011 worldwide. Critics gave it 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
72%
worldwide gross
$4K
Echo Score
66
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Madres (2021) movie poster
Released
Director
Ryan Zaragoza
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Madres About?

The premise of Madres without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1970s California, a young Mexican-American couple finds their peaceful life disrupted when the husband takes a new job at a secluded rural farm. Isolated from their community, his wife, Diana, begins to experience a growing sense of unease as she explores the strange ranch. She discovers unsettling relics and uncovers dark secrets, leading her on a disturbing journey to reveal a sinister truth and confront a series of increasingly frightening events.

Madres Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • motherhood
  • bisexual
  • spanish civil war
  • pregnancy
  • single mother
  • mother daughter relationship
  • photographer
  • mass grave
  • babysitter
  • childbirth
  • theater
  • grave
+38 more
  • female bonding
  • madrid spain
  • lesbian relationship
  • older woman younger woman relationship
  • fashion photographer
  • dna test
  • written by director
  • hospital
  • pregnant teenager
  • raped girl
  • cafe
  • cemetery
  • sex scene
  • gang rape
  • extramarital affair
  • excavation
  • forensic anthropologist
  • village
  • sudden infant death syndrome
  • theater actress
  • reference to shakespeare's hamlet
  • glass eye
  • skeleton
  • sudden death
  • play rehearsal
  • monologue
  • memory
  • heritage
  • tortilla
  • housekeeper
  • female protagonist
  • pregnant woman
  • giving birth
  • newborn
  • baby
  • telephone call
  • photograph
  • photo shoot
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Cast & crew

Madres Cast & Characters

Ariana Guerra leads the cast as Diana, with Tenoch Huerta as Beto and Robert Larriviere as Dr. Bell. Directed by Ryan Zaragoza; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Madres

· 6 more
Ratings

Madres Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Madres 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

66 /100

Madres Echo Score Breakdown

Madres presents a socially conscious premise anchored in real‑life events, yet its execution fluctuates between compelling insight and structural disarray. Critics note strong thematic underpinnings and an original script, while many comment on fragmented pacing and uneven horror thrills. The film’s visual composition receives both praise for considered shots and criticism for subdued scoring. Audience reactions echo this division, finding moments of suspense but lamenting a loss of narrative momentum toward the end. Consequently, the movie offers a mixed but noteworthy experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    Artistic elements in Madres display a blend of deliberate framing and uneven technical choices. Reviewers commend the considered camera work and occasional striking compositions, yet also point to subdued scoring and conventional camerawork that can hinder tension. The overall visual design therefore feels competent but inconsistently effective.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    The film’s central performances convey a palpable urgency, especially through the pregnant protagonist whose portrayal resonates with prior strong female leads. Critics highlight the depth of social conscience embodied by the characters, while few note any lack of chemistry. Overall, the character work grounds the narrative with credible emotional weight.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Madres tackles a timely subject with an original script that interweaves investigative thriller elements and social commentary. While some reviewers appreciate the thematic ambition and moments of suspense, many critique the fragmented pacing and a climax that feels forced. The narrative therefore oscillates between engaging insight and disjointed storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    The sensory landscape of Madres combines understated scoring with occasional atmospheric flourishes. Critics acknowledge the considered visual shots, yet note that the muted sound design and lack of genuine horror tension limit the film’s immersive impact. As a result, the auditory and visual experience feels restrained rather than fully compelling.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch potential for Madres is moderate; its investigative angle and social relevance provide material for reflection, but the uneven pacing and a climax perceived as contrived diminish repeat enjoyment. Some viewers find the final act offers a satisfying resolution that outweighs earlier inconsistencies, yet the overall experience may not sustain strong lasting appeal.

Plot

Madres Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Madres from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film tells the gripping tale of Diana and Beto, a young Mexican-American couple, who move to an isolated farming town in rural California during the 1970s. Excited about a new beginning, especially with Diana expecting their first child, Beto, played by Tenoch Huerta, takes up a management position at a farm. However, from the moment they arrive, Diana feels an unsettling anxiety; their new home is old and creaky, filled with bizarre symbols and foreboding artifacts, including a doll that she discovers buried in the backyard.

Full summary

The whole story of Madres, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Madres Box Office

Madres grossed $4,011 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$4K

International
$4K
Videos

Madres Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Madres.

Madres - Official Trailer | Prime Video
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Madres?

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 decade does the story of 'Madres' take place in?

Cars

Cars in Madres

9 cars on screen, including the 1973 Ford F-100 and the 1967 Chrysler 300.

All 9 cars
  • 1973 Ford F-100 in Madres 1973 Ford F-100 Important role
  • 1967 Chrysler 300 in Madres 1967 Chrysler 300 Background role
  • 1971 Dodge Colt Wagon in Madres 1971 Dodge Colt Wagon Background role
  • 1971 Ford F-Series in Madres 1971 Ford F-Series Background role
Details

Madres Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Welcome to the Blumhouse: Madres” and “어머니들”.

Also known as
  • Welcome to the Blumhouse: Madres
  • 어머니들
  • 孕母
  • マードレス 闇に潜む声
  • אימהות
  • Добро пожаловать в Блумхаус: О матерях
  • Mães
  • Madres - Der Fluch
  • Madres: Mães de Ninguém
  • О матерях
  • 母亲的诅咒
  • 마드레스
+9 more
  • Matki
  • 人母詛咒
  • Мајке
  • אמהות
  • Anneler
  • Μητέρες
  • Anyák
  • マードレス ~闇に潜む声~
  • สามานย์

Seen Madres?

FAQ

Madres FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date

Release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Madres, each answered in a sentence.

When was Madres released?

Madres was released on October 8, 2021.

Who directed Madres?

Madres was directed by Ryan Zaragoza.

Who is in the cast of Madres?

Madres stars Ariana Guerra as Diana, Tenoch Huerta as Beto and Robert Larriviere as Dr. Bell, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Madres make at the box office?

Madres grossed $4,011 worldwide.

How is Madres rated?

Madres has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic and 2.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Madres have a post-credit scene?

No. Madres has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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