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Drama horror film

You Are Not My Mother (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

You Are Not My Mother (2022) movie poster

You Are Not My Mother is a 2022 drama horror film directed by Kate Dolan, starring Hazel Doupe as Char, Carolyn Bracken and Ingrid Craigie. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $98,275 worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Actress in a Lead Role at the IFTA Awards 2022. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$98.3K
award nominations
4
Echo Score
78
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You Are Not My Mother (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Kate Dolan
Genres
Drama , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is You Are Not My Mother About?

The premise of You Are Not My Mother without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

As Halloween approaches in Dublin, Char is unsettled by her mother Angela's sudden return home after a long disappearance. However, Angela's behavior is increasingly strange and alarming, suggesting she may not be who she seems. Haunted by the family's troubled history, Char investigates the mystery behind her mother's return and the unsettling changes she’s experiencing, battling dark forces that threaten her sanity and Angela's very soul.

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Cast & crew

You Are Not My Mother Cast & Characters

Hazel Doupe leads the cast as Char, with Carolyn Bracken as Angela and Ingrid Craigie as Rita. Directed by Kate Dolan; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in You Are Not My Mother

· 6 more
From the director

More from Kate Dolan

More films directed by Kate Dolan, best-rated first: SOULM8TE and Catcalls.

Full filmography
Ratings

You Are Not My Mother Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave You Are Not My Mother 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (84) and weakest in story & flow (68).

78 /100

You Are Not My Mother Echo Score Breakdown

You Are Not My Mother delivers a compelling folk‑horror experience that resonated strongly with critics and many viewers, thanks to its atmospheric visuals and nuanced performances. While the direction and production design were widely praised for their gothic texture, some reviewers noted a weaker third act that dulled narrative momentum. The film’s blend of myth and psychological dread makes it a noteworthy addition to Irish horror, though its pacing may divide audiences on repeat viewings.

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

  • Art & Craft 84

    In terms of art and craft, the film is praised for its striking cinematography, moody lighting, and meticulous production design that evoke a gothic Irish landscape. Critics highlighted the effective atmospherics and strong visual storytelling, while users noted the understated horror aesthetic. A few comments mentioned a less engaging third act, but overall the visual execution is considered a high point.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are repeatedly described as nuanced and believable, especially from the leading actors. Reviewers commend the emotional pulse and natural chemistry, noting that the cast grounds the supernatural elements in real human feeling. Some criticism points to occasional lapses in character motivation, yet the consensus remains that the acting elevates the film.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Regarding story and flow, the plot interweaves folklore with mental‑illness themes, creating an original premise that many find intriguing. However, several reviewers remark that pacing becomes uneven, particularly in the latter half, leading to a perceived lackluster third act. The narrative’s slow‑burn approach divides opinions, resulting in a moderate overall assessment of the story’s cohesion.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The sensory experience is consistently highlighted for its eerie sound design and haunting score that amplify the film’s unsettling mood. Critics and users alike comment on the immersive auditory landscape and cohesive visual style that together reinforce the dread. While the sensory elements are largely praised, no major criticisms were noted, positioning this aspect among the strongest.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch factor receives mixed feedback; several viewers express a desire to revisit the unsettling atmosphere and nuanced performances, citing lasting appeal. Conversely, some note that the slow pace and diminished engagement in later scenes reduce repeat value. The overall sentiment suggests moderate replay worthiness, with potential for appreciation on subsequent viewings for fans of measured horror.

Plot

You Are Not My Mother Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in You Are Not My 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the heat of a sweltering summer, Rita Delaney’s (Ingrid Craigie) cherished memories of her granddaughter Charlotte (or Char) (Hazel Doupe) begin to surface in an emotionally charged flashback. This tender recollection involves Rita gently cradling Char as her mother Angela (Carolyn Bracken) protests during a fraught trek through the woods. What follows is a heart-wrenching scene marked by both fire and despair, with Rita’s watchful eyes conveying unspoken urgency as the flames envelop the unsuspecting baby.

Full summary

The whole story of You Are Not My Mother, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

You Are Not My Mother Box Office

You Are Not My Mother grossed $98,275 worldwide. $45,040 came from the US and Canada and $53,235 (54%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$98.3K

US & Canada
$45K
International
$53.2K
US & Canada 46% Rest of the world 54%
Awards

You Are Not My Mother Awards & Nominations

You Are Not My Mother earned 4 award nominations, including Best Actress in a Lead Role at the IFTA Awards 2022. The 4 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the IFTA Awards 2022.

4 nominations2 ceremonies

  • Irish Film & Television Awards logo
    IFTA Awards 2022 3 nominations
    • Nominated Best Actress in a Lead Role
    • Nominated Best Director
    • Nominated Best Script – Kate Dolan
  • Toronto International Film Festival logo
    TIFF 2021 1 nomination
    • Nominated Midnight Madness, First Runner Up
Videos

You Are Not My Mother Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers and 4 clips.

All 6 videos
UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Clip YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER - First Clip, directed by Kate Dolan #TIFF2021 - Midnight Madness
  • Clip You Are Not My Mother - Halloween Clip
  • Clip You Are Not My Mother - Doppelgänger Mother Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know You Are Not My 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 significant event takes place during a woods trek involving Rita and Angela?

Details

You Are Not My Mother Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Samhain” and “มาร(ดา)จำแลง”.

Also known as
  • Samhain
  • มาร(ดา)จำแลง
  • Проклятие. Ночь страха
  • 유 아 낫 마이 마더
  • Sen Annem Değilsin
  • 你不是我妈妈
  • Nejsi moje máma
  • Δεν Είσαι η Μητέρα μου
  • את לא אמא שלי
  • Você Não é Minha Mãe
  • ユー・アー・ノット・マイ・マザー

Seen You Are Not My Mother?

FAQ

You Are Not My Mother FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of You Are Not My Mother, each answered in a sentence.

How long is You Are Not My Mother?

You Are Not My Mother runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was You Are Not My Mother released?

You Are Not My Mother was released on March 25, 2022.

Who directed You Are Not My Mother?

You Are Not My Mother was directed by Kate Dolan.

More films by Kate Dolan

Who is in the cast of You Are Not My Mother?

You Are Not My Mother stars Hazel Doupe as Char, Carolyn Bracken as Angela and Ingrid Craigie as Rita, among 10 credited actors.

How much did You Are Not My Mother make at the box office?

You Are Not My Mother grossed $98,275 worldwide ($45,040 domestic, $53,235 international).

How is You Are Not My Mother rated?

You Are Not My Mother has 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic, 55% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Was You Are Not My Mother nominated for any awards?

You Are Not My Mother received 4 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does You Are Not My Mother have a post-credit scene?

No. You Are Not My Mother has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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