Mother 1997

In the charred remnants of a once-elegant estate, the revered poet Him struggles with his creative block as he delicately sets a crystal relic on a beautifully designed pedestal in his study, causing the very walls to shift and morph into a lush, dreamlike sanctuary. Meanwhile, his muse and wife, Mother, stirs from her sleep, murmuring her concern about Him’s sudden disappearance. As she explores the rejuvenated surroundings, she occasionally perceives an enigmatic heartbeat resonating from the ancient structure.

One pivotal day, an unusual figure, Man, knocks on their door, declaring himself an orthopedic surgeon in need of a place to rest. That evening, as Man suffers from dry heaves, Mother discovers a gruesome gash on his body. The next day, things take an unexpected turn when Man’s wife, Woman, arrives uninvited, much to Mother’s frustration with their surprise guests. Despite her objections, Him convinces her to allow them to stay, disclosing that Man is actually a fervent admirer whose dying wish was to meet his literary hero. Tensions rise when an unforeseen accident shatters the precious crystal relic, leading Him to angrily quarantine his study.

As pandemonium ensues, Man and Woman’s two sons arrive unexpectedly, igniting a conflict over their father’s estate that escalates into violence. The oldest son inflicts a grave injury upon the younger brother before fleeing in sheer horror after Him exacts a fierce retribution. In the immediate aftermath, Him, Man, and Woman hastily transport the wounded son to the hospital.

As Mother tries to manage the chaos, she starts to observe strange happenings around their residence—fly buzzing, a frog resting on a windowsill, and stubborn bloodstains that refuse to wash away. In her quest for answers, she uncovers a hidden tank of heating oil concealed behind the basement walls. To her dismay, Him reveals the devastating news: the younger brother has succumbed to his injuries.

Their tumultuous night is further disrupted by a sudden influx of mourners arriving to pay their respects to the lost son. The rude behavior and blatant disregard for their hosts’ boundaries frustrate Mother, who ultimately snaps and demands the guests leave after they recklessly damage the property. Her agitation is only matched by Him’s apparent apathy towards her distress, culminating in a passionate reconciliation.

The following morning, Mother shares the joyful news of her pregnancy with Him, igniting a spark of creativity within him. As the days pass and the imminent arrival of their child approaches, Mother takes comfort in soulfully reading Him’s freshly completed poetic work. The release of this piece achieves critical acclaim and commercial success, prompting Mother to host a lavish dinner in celebration. However, this joyous occasion is violently disrupted by a flood of uninvited devotees, overwhelming the home and introducing havoc and destruction. While Him remains blissfully oblivious to the turmoil, Mother watches in despair as military forces are called in to address the chaos fueled by the fanatical admiration surrounding Him. As his publicist organizes a series of tragic outcomes, Mother’s anxiety spirals out of control.

Once the tumult outside calms, Him uncovers that the fans left behind a trail of gifts in anticipation of meeting their new son. He excitedly informs Mother of their eagerness to see the baby, but she staunchly opposes giving up their child. Exhaustion ultimately takes a toll, leading Him to whisk the baby away into the eager crowd. The adoring fans handle the infant recklessly, contributing to his heartbreaking demise. When Mother awakens to the horror of finding her son’s lifeless body being feasted upon by those who once revered him, her fury propels her into a frenzied attack.

The crowd retaliates against her with brutal force until Him intervenes, pleading for her forgiveness. In a desperate escape, she retreats to the basement oil tank and ignites the fuel, leading to a catastrophic explosion that incinerates the riotous mob and crumbles their home into ruins. In a miracle, Him survives the flames unharmed, but Mother emerges grotesquely scarred. In a confrontational dialogue about his true nature, Him cryptically states, ”> I am I,” implying that Mother was simply the vessel for her domestic role.

As Him seeks her love, Mother reluctantly complies, allowing him to reach into her chest and extract her heart. With a shocking intensity, he tears open the organ to unveil a dazzling crystal within, which he carefully places back on a pedestal, restoring their home to its former glory. A new Mother awakens in bed, dazed and curious, pondering Him’s whereabouts.