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Drama thriller

mother! (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

mother! (2017) movie poster

mother! is a 2017 drama thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky, starring Javier Bardem as Him, Jennifer Lawrence and Ed Harris. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $44.5 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Stream it on fuboTV and MGM Plus, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
worldwide gross
$44.5M
Echo Score
63
mother! (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 1m (121 min)
Director
Darren Aronofsky
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Horror
Original language
Czech
Budget
$30M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is mother! About?

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

A writer and her husband live a secluded life in a remote house, enjoying peace and quiet until unexpected guests arrive. As the visitors’ presence disrupts their sanctuary, unsettling events unfold, revealing the fragility of their relationship and exposing disturbing truths about humanity and the world beyond their home. The couple must then grapple with the increasingly chaotic situation and confront the consequences of the visitors' intrusion.

mother! Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • surrealism
  • uninvited guest
  • cannibalism
  • riot
  • unexpected guest
  • vandalism
  • death of baby
  • nameless character
  • writer's block
  • tearing a heart from someone's chest
  • symbolism
  • pregnancy
+38 more
  • explosion
  • newborn baby
  • house on fire
  • uninvited visitor
  • nightmare
  • brother brother relationship
  • house
  • eating a human heart
  • unexpected visitor
  • man feels up a woman
  • female star appears nude
  • violence
  • death of son
  • biblical allegory
  • frog
  • cult
  • cigarette smoking
  • cigarette lighter
  • smoke alarm
  • father son relationship
  • nudity
  • sex scene
  • dying
  • dying man
  • shot in the head
  • baby
  • baby boy
  • fire
  • death
  • burnt food
  • husband wife relationship
  • poet
  • writer
  • crystal
  • breaking a glass crystal
  • poetry
  • breast feeding
  • beating
Where to watch

Where to Watch mother!

Stream it on fuboTV and MGM Plus, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

mother! Cast & Characters

Javier Bardem leads the cast as Him, with Jennifer Lawrence as Mother and Ed Harris as Man. Directed by Darren Aronofsky; 13 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

mother! Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave mother! 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (45).

63 /100

mother! Echo Score Breakdown

Mother! presents a strikingly visceral and divisive cinematic statement that is both artfully crafted and narratively uneven. Its demanding approach to symbolism and intense pacing provokes strong reactions, ranging from admiration for its bold ambition to frustration over its self-indulgent excess. The film’s visual and auditory design consistently commands attention, even as its allegorical narrative tests viewer engagement. In net, mother! stands as a challenging work with memorable craft that will appeal to those drawn to provocative cinema but deter others seeking coherence.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of artful craft, mother! demonstrates bold visual direction and meticulous design that form its most compelling attribute. Critics note its sharply framed compositions and deliberate editing choices, while user feedback highlights its visceral presentation as gripping. The meticulous production design and precision camera work underscore a strong command of cinematic technique.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    In terms of character depth and emotional resonance, mother! displays fluctuating results. Positive responses praise strong performances that convey mounting anxiety and intimacy, while detractors find the characters underdeveloped and alienating. The interplay between leads generates intermittent emotional impact, though uneven narrative focus limits consistent audience connection over the film’s duration.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story coherence and pacing, mother! offers an original allegorical narrative that may challenge audience understanding. Observers remark on measured build-up giving way to abrupt tonal shifts, and pacing that some find punishing. The film’s symbolic structure and uneven momentum create a polarizing flow that undermines consistent narrative engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory design, mother! excels at creating an immersive and unsettling atmosphere. Critics highlight effective sound design and a dynamic score that amplify dramatic tension, and users describe the film’s visceral soundscapes as integral to its impact. The cohesive visual style, from abstract imagery to stark color contrasts, sustains an intense sensory presence throughout.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of rewatch value, mother! has a deeply polarizing afterlife that may not reward multiple viewings for all audiences. Some viewers appreciate the unfolding interpretations and continue to explore its complex symbolism, while others report a reluctance to revisit the film due to its relentless intensity. This divisive quality limits its broad replay appeal.

Plot

mother! Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in mother! 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 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Note: This film’s characters remain unnamed and are referred to solely by their descriptors.

The story opens dramatically with a woman amid crackling flames, her flesh rapidly charred, while screams echo hauntingly in the backdrop. Shortly after, we meet a man known as “Him,” portrayed by Javier Bardem, who places a mysterious crystal object in his bedroom. Immediately, a transformation occurs as their home evolves from a desolate wreck into a beautifully renovated space. In this new environment, a young woman, referred to as “Mother” and played by Jennifer Lawrence, appears in his bed. Seeking comfort in his presence, she calls out for Him with a gentle, “Baby?” Yet, her call goes unanswered.

Full summary

The whole story of mother!, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

mother! Box Office & Budget

mother! grossed $44.5 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 1.5 times what it cost. $17.8 million came from the US and Canada and $26.7 million (60%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$44.5M

1.5× its budget

US & Canada
$17.8M
International
$26.7M
Budget
$30M
US & Canada 40% Rest of the world 60%
Videos

mother! Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 3 trailers, 2 clips and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 7 videos
official trailer
  • Trailer wife
  • Trailer experience
  • Clip mother! | get out | official film clip
  • Clip mother! | you do want kids | official film clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know mother!?

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 is the main character's role in the film?

Details

mother! Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “Madre!” and “Mãe!”.

Also known as
  • Madre!
  • Mãe!
  • Mother, madre!
  • ¡Madre!
  • 마더!, мајка!
  • Μητέρα!, mother !
  • Мати!, mãe!, anne!
  • Мама!
  • Anyám!
  • 母親!
  • אמא!
  • Matka!
+12 more
  • 母亲!
  • Майка!, matka!
  • Mama!
  • Mère !
  • Majka!
  • マザー!
  • มารดา!
  • Motina!
  • 媽媽!
  • أم!, დედა!, mẹ!
  • Mare!
  • مادر!, mati!, ema!

Seen mother!?

FAQ

mother! FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of mother!, each answered in a sentence.

How long is mother!?

mother! runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).

When was mother! released?

mother! was released on September 15, 2017.

Who directed mother!?

mother! was directed by Darren Aronofsky.

More films by Darren Aronofsky

Who is in the cast of mother!?

mother! stars Javier Bardem as Him, Jennifer Lawrence as Mother and Ed Harris as Man, among 13 credited actors.

Where can I watch mother!?

In the US, mother! is streaming on fuboTV, MGM Plus and MGM+ and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did mother! make at the box office?

mother! grossed $44.5 million worldwide ($17.8 million domestic, $26.7 million international) on a budget of $30 million.

How is mother! rated?

mother! has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does mother! have a post-credit scene?

No. mother! has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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