Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Ma (2017). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Teenager Maggie Thompson relocates with her mother Erica to her small-town Ohio home following the departure of Erica’s husband. At her new school, Maggie quickly bonds with a group of friends, including Haley, Darrell, Chaz, and Andy—who develops an instant crush on her. They enlist the help of Sue Ann “Ma” Ellington, a local veterinary technician, to procure alcohol for their underage gathering. Sue Ann, however, chooses to anonymously report their antics, but they’re let off the hook due to a friendly history between the police officer and Andy’s father, Ben.
The very next day, Sue Ann invites the teens over to her house to party in her basement. What begins as a casual get-together transforms quickly as Sue Ann decorates her space and becomes a celebrated figure among high schoolers. Still, her overbearing hospitality soon becomes oppressive, leading the original group to feel increasingly uncomfortable with her presence. Tensions escalate when Sue Ann witnesses a romantic moment between Andy and Maggie, which ignites a mix of jealousy and rage within her—she harbors feelings for Andy, having once been infatuated with his father, Ben, during their high school years.
Motivated by jealousy, Sue Ann drugs Maggie, stealing her earrings in the process. When a confused Maggie awakens to find her earrings missing and bearing bruises, she confides in Andy, expressing her dread of returning to Sue Ann’s house. To regain their trust, Sue Ann fabricates a story about having pancreatic cancer, using it as a cover for her erratic behavior. However, the teens quickly become suspicious upon noticing that Sue Ann sports a bracelet belonging to one of them.
Determined to uncover the truth, the girls decide to investigate and encounter Genie, Sue Ann’s daughter from a failed marriage. To their astonishment, they discover that Genie, whom Maggie believed to be confined to a wheelchair, is in fact fully mobile. Just as they make their escape, Sue Ann returns home.
Tension mounts when Ben visits Sue Ann’s workplace to drop off his cat, leading to a drink invitation. At the bar, he confronts Sue Ann with a tracking device, demanding to know why Andy frequents her house. Ben warns her to stay away from Andy, dismissing her as “pathetic.” Flashbacks reveal a tragic past—Sue Ann had once performed a sexual act on Ben in high school, only to be betrayed during the encounter, leading to public humiliation that haunts her.
As Sue Ann spirals into madness, she commits further atrocities: running over Ben’s girlfriend Mercedes and killing her boss. In a cruel twist, she extracts blood from Maggie’s dog, Louie, planning to inject it into Ben. When Maggie confesses her fears about Sue Ann to Erica, she finds herself grounded. Shortly after, Sue Ann sends a distressing photo of herself and Andy at a party, prompting Maggie to confront him and discover that all their friends have been drugged.
Maggie’s horror escalates when she stumbles upon Ben’s lifeless body. Chained in the basement, she witnesses Sue Ann torturing her friends—binding Haley’s mouth and painting Darrell’s face—a grotesque manifestation of her twisted mindset. Andy attempts to seduce Sue Ann to buy them time, but she stabs him, revealing her true nature.
When an officer arrives to investigate the commotion, Maggie’s screams for help turn tragic as Sue Ann shoots him dead. She orchestrates a macabre photo session, trying to recreate the friendship moments she never experienced, leaving Maggie in a perilous situation. Just as the house catches fire, Erica, knowing where her daughter would be, manages to save the group alongside her coworker Stu.
In a chaotic finale, Sue Ann attempts to sacrifice Genie, blaming Erica for the past’s unresolved pain. In the heat of the moment, Maggie stabs Sue Ann, allowing Genie to escape safely. As the survivors grapple with the devastation left behind, they witness Sue Ann lying next to Ben’s body in an embrace as their house crumbles into flames.
Follow the complete movie timeline of Ma (2017) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Maggie's Relocation
Teenager Maggie Thompson relocates with her mother Erica to a small town in Ohio after the departure of her father. This marks a significant change in their lives as they adapt to a new environment and community.
Making New Friends
At her new school, Maggie quickly forms a bond with a group of friends, including Haley, Darrell, Chaz, and Andy. Their camaraderie provides Maggie with a sense of belonging in her unfamiliar surroundings.
Underage Drinking Scheme
The group decides to procure alcohol for a gathering and seeks the assistance of Sue Ann, a local veterinary technician. Their plan backfires when Sue Ann reports them, but they narrowly escape punishment due to a connection between the police officer and Andy's father.
Partying at Sue Ann's
The very next day, Sue Ann invites the teens to her house for a party in her basement. Initially enjoyable, the gathering quickly begins to turn uncomfortable as Sue Ann's need for control and attention becomes apparent.
Jealousy Brews
The situation escalates when Sue Ann observes a romantic moment between Andy and Maggie, igniting her jealousy. Her simmering rage becomes evident, revealing her obsession with Andy and unresolved feelings for his father.
Drugging Maggie
In a fit of jealousy, Sue Ann drugs Maggie and steals her earrings. When Maggie awakens confused and bruised, she shares her fears with Andy, raising concerns about returning to Sue Ann's house.
Sue Ann's Deception
To regain the trust of the teens, Sue Ann fabricates a story about having pancreatic cancer. While she tries to manipulate their sympathy, the teens start becoming suspicious when they notice discrepancies in her story.
Uncovering the Truth
The girls decide to investigate after meeting Genie, Sue Ann’s daughter. They are shocked to discover that Genie, thought to be wheelchair-bound, is actually fully mobile, raising further suspicions about Sue Ann's claims.
Ben Confronts Sue Ann
Tension rises when Ben, Andy's father, visits Sue Ann's workplace and confronts her about her relationship with his son. This encounter reveals Sue Ann's dark past with Ben, exacerbating her psychological issues.
Sue Ann's Violent Descent
As Sue Ann's madness escalates, she resorts to violent actions, including running over Ben's girlfriend and killing her boss. Her actions become increasingly erratic, highlighting her unstable mental state.
Maggie's Fears
Maggie confides in her mother Erica about her growing fears regarding Sue Ann. However, her mother dismisses her concerns, leading to Maggie feeling isolated and unprotected.
Confrontation with Friends
After receiving a troubling photo from Sue Ann, Maggie confronts Andy, only to discover that all their friends have been drugged by Sue Ann. The realization of their grim situation intensifies their urgency to escape.
The Basement Horror
Maggie's horror peaks when she discovers Ben's lifeless body and sees Sue Ann torturing her friends in the basement. The terrifying scene reveals the depths of Sue Ann's madness and her intent to cause harm.
The Chaotic Climax
As chaos ensues, Officer arrives only to be shot by Sue Ann while trying to intervene. The situation spirals out of control, culminating in a fire that engulfs the house, pushing Maggie and her friends to their limits.
Final Showdown
In a dramatic turn, Maggie stabs Sue Ann just as she is about to sacrifice Genie. The confrontation allows Genie to escape, but not before the tragic final moments leave lingering devastation and loss.
Explore all characters from Ma (2017). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Maggie Thompson
Maggie is a teenager navigating the complexities of moving to a new town while dealing with her mother's struggles. She is brave and resilient, standing up to Sue Ann ultimately, showcasing her strength as she confronts fear and danger.
Sue Ann "Ma" Ellington
Sue Ann is a deeply troubled woman, who oscillates between being a nurturing figure and a sinister predator. Her tragic past fuels her obsessive behavior, leading her to manipulate and terrorize the teenagers, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.
Erica
Erica, Maggie's mother, represents a support system for her daughter despite her own struggles from the divorce. She showcases a strong maternal instinct, ultimately risking her life to save her daughter, embodying the fierce protective nature of a parent.
Learn where and when Ma (2017) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
The events of the film occur in contemporary times, highlighting modern issues among teenagers, including peer pressure and the consequences of adult actions on youth. The timeline draws on relatable experiences for high school students, such as underage drinking and the complexities of friendships.
Location
small-town Ohio
The movie primarily takes place in a small town in Ohio, reflecting a typical American suburban environment. Known for its close-knit community, the town provides a backdrop for the teenage characters to navigate friendship and danger. The town's serene exterior contrasts sharply with the chaos that ensues in Sue Ann's basement.
Discover the main themes in Ma (2017). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Obsession
The theme of obsession is prevalent as Sue Ann becomes fixated on the teens and her unresolved feelings towards Ben. Her obsessive tendencies lead her to manipulate and harm those she wishes to control, creating a chilling exploration of how unrequited love can spiral into madness.
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Fear
Fear permeates the movie, as the initial thrill of partying turns into horror for the group of friends. The escalating tension and Sue Ann's unpredictable behavior instill a constant sense of dread, illustrating how quickly safety can dissolve into chaos.
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Betrayal
Betrayal emerges as a key theme, with Sue Ann's actions rooted in past humiliations and her desperate need for validation. The friends' initial trust in Sue Ann rapidly turns to suspicion, showcasing the devastating impact of personal grudges and broken relationships.
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