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Horror thriller

Mother, May I? (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Mother, May I? (2023) movie poster

Mother, May I? is a 2023 horror thriller directed by Laurence Vannicelli, starring Kyle Gallner as Emmett, Holland Roden and Chris Mulkey. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $21,608 worldwide. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.0/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$21.6K
Echo Score
60
Mother, May I? (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mother, May I? About?

The premise of Mother, May I? without spoilers.

When preparing to renovate his late mother's house, Emmett is persuaded by his fiancée Anya to revisit a painful past through a psychedelic experience. Following the journey, Anya begins to exhibit unsettling behavior, eerily mimicking Emmett’s mother. He finds himself questioning whether this is a deliberate manipulation or something far more sinister – has his mother’s spirit somehow taken hold of Anya?

Mother, May I? Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • psychological thriller
  • psychological horror
  • behavior change
  • spreading cremated remains
  • home movies
  • role reversal
  • funeral home
  • cleavage
  • female star appears in underwear
  • inherited house
  • woman applying lipstick
  • character does not know how to swim
+38 more
  • cremation
  • rural setting
  • amateur psychology
  • burning someone's diary
  • side boob
  • unknown father
  • female star appears in swimsuit
  • death of mother
  • incestuous overtones
  • history of child abuse
  • scrubbing blood off a floor
  • voice over diary
  • engaged couple
  • woman in red
  • two in a bathtub
  • sleeping on a couch
  • swimming in underwear
  • body bag
  • bathtub scene
  • ballerina
  • pregnant woman
  • hypodermic needle
  • hair bun
  • implied female nudity
  • basement
  • dripping faucet
  • dead woman on the floor
  • woman smoking
  • mother mistaken for wife
  • younger version of character
  • mother abandons son
  • goodnight kiss
  • lake
  • tai chi
  • close up of an eye
  • woman slaps a man
  • burning dinner
  • dream
Where to watch

Where to Watch Mother, May I?

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and AMC+, 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, May I? Cast & Characters

Kyle Gallner leads the cast as Emmett, with Holland Roden as Anya and Chris Mulkey as Bill. Directed by Laurence Vannicelli; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Mother, May I?

· 1 more
Ratings

Mother, May I? Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mother, May I? 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

60 /100

Mother, May I? Echo Score Breakdown

Mother, May I? delivers a visually striking experience anchored by strong performances, yet its narrative cohesion falters, leaving many viewers unsettled. Critics commend the film's craft and atmospheric visuals, while users report pacing issues and an unsatisfying conclusion. The blend of psychological intrigue and ghostly motifs creates a polarizing effect, resulting in a mixed reception that balances commendable artistry against uneven storytelling.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of visual design and technical execution, the film showcases impressive cinematography and meticulous production design. Critics highlight the striking visuals and a polished aesthetic, while a few user comments note graininess that detracts from the overall look. The direction maintains a consistent tone, contributing to a solid craftsmanship overall. Consequently, the artistic execution is regarded as strong but not flawless.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When evaluating performances and character depth, the leads receive consistent praise for nuanced portrayals and compelling chemistry. Critics emphasize the actors' ability to convey emotional weight, and many users acknowledge solid acting despite broader reservations. Some reviewers feel the characters lack sufficient development, leading to occasional disengagement. Overall, the character work is viewed as competent and emotionally resonant, though not universally compelling.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The narrative structure presents an original ghost‑story premise that intrigues but struggles with pacing and resolution. Critics note moments of mind‑bending intrigue yet criticize the final act for lacking cohesion. User feedback frequently mentions sluggish progression and an unsatisfying ending, describing the plot as repetitive or unfinished. The story’s originality is offset by uneven execution, resulting in a mixed to negative assessment.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Sensory elements, particularly the soundtrack and visual style, receive strong acknowledgment for creating an immersive atmosphere. Critics point to haunting audio cues and a cohesive visual palette that reinforce the film’s mood. While a minority of users cite technical blemishes such as graininess, the prevailing sentiment affirms the sensory design’s effectiveness. Consequently, the sensory experience is regarded as a notable strength of the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch potential is ambivalent, with the film offering moments that linger but also exposing structural weaknesses that diminish repeat appeal. Critics suggest the film’s psychological layers reward multiple viewings, yet also admit it may not fully land on subsequent watches. User opinions are split between those who found it compelling enough to revisit and those who deemed it boring or unresolved. Overall, the rewatch factor is moderate.

Box office

Mother, May I? Box Office

Mother, May I? grossed $21,608 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$21.6K

International
$21.6K
Videos

Mother, May I? Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Release Trailer
Details

Mother, May I? Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Мама, можно?” and “Zapytaj matkę”.

Also known as
  • Мама, можно?
  • Zapytaj matkę
  • Мама, можно я?
  • Мамо, можна?
  • 妈妈可以吗?
  • Identidade Possessiva

Seen Mother, May I??

FAQ

Mother, May I? FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Mother, May I??

Mother, May I? runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Mother, May I? released?

Mother, May I? was released on July 21, 2023.

Who directed Mother, May I??

Mother, May I? was directed by Laurence Vannicelli.

Who is in the cast of Mother, May I??

Mother, May I? stars Kyle Gallner as Emmett, Holland Roden as Anya and Chris Mulkey as Bill, among 5 credited actors.

Where can I watch Mother, May I??

In the US, Mother, May I? is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, AMC+ and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Mother, May I? make at the box office?

Mother, May I? grossed $21,608 worldwide.

How is Mother, May I? rated?

Mother, May I? has 5.0/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Mother, May I? have a post-credit scene?

No. Mother, May I? has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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