Every one fears something and the way we choose to interpret this fear will enable our minds to handle it or lose control of it. When parents, especially mothers lose grip on their fear, it can turn into a nightmare and destroy everything and anyone in its path. At least, that's the way I see and interpret the message portrayed in Mothers' Instinct (2024), an American psychological thriller.
Directed by Benoît Delhomme (his directorial debut) based on 2012 novel Derrière la haine by Barbara Abel, this thriller stars Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Josh Charles, Anders Danielsen Lie and other supporting actors to deliver a heartwrenching and realistic performance.
Set in the 1960s, this movie follows Alice (Jessica Chastain) and Cèline (Anne Hathaway), two neighbours and close friends living what looks like a perfect suburban life. Their sons are friends, their families socialise together and there is an easy familiarity between the two women. But from the opening scene, there is a quiet sense that something is waiting to go wrong. Soon enough, a tragic accident happens and changes this ‘perfect’ lifestyle.
Alice witnesses the death of Cèline's young son in their backyard and is unable to save him. The guilt surrounding what happened begins to eat away at her. Cèline is devastated by her loss and struggles with her grief while the friendship between the women slowly changes. They no longer socialise and any attempt to feel uncomfortable.
Cèline starts to get closer to Alice's son, Theo, in a way that raises questions making Alice very suspicious and wondering if her son is safe around the grieving mother. Is grief changing the way the two friends see each other? Why the close attention to Theo now that Cèline's son is dead?
My Review And Rating
After watching this movie and applauding Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway’s stunning performances, I feel it's underrated because many people aren't talking about this film. The reviews online are mixed and it grossed low at the box office. It didn't get much deserved publicity.
The plot is solid but familiar centred around a mother's love for her child and what she is willing to do to save him. But the storytelling, acting and visuals make this psychological thriller compelling. The acting duo of Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway further makes this movie memorable in my opinion. What I enjoyed most was seeing Chastain and Hathaway go head to head. They bring two different energies to the film and the director tips them against each other.
Chastain's character is tense, controlled and easily anxious while Hathaway gives Cèline a quieter and suspiciously calm presence, no wonder she shines more in psychological thriller. There's suspense and tension in every scene and I study these women's expressions to figure out how the psychological battle will play out. That is where the film works best and these actresses are impressive.
My issue with this film is that it feels as if there's more to the story, a depth that the filmmakers don't explore maybe due to resources or time. After about 50 minutes into the movie, it's like the director gets tired and the story is rushed, pushing things into melodrama instead of allowing the tension to build naturally. And that's how the movie lost some of the suspense it had built earlier. I feel it would have been stronger if the even-paced tension had been maintained all through the 94 minutes.
The 1960s setting adds a kind of glamour and sophistication to this movie. Everything is polished from the clothes, to the hairstyles, the house decor, the gardens and even the way the women behave around each other. It looks almost too perfect which suits the story because underneath the picture of friendship and happiness is grief, resentment and suspicion.
I like that the filmmakers focused on how grief affects people differently and how guilt can distort a person's judgement. Yes, both mothers have good instincts but they are influenced by their struggles and emotional turmoil. Alice is haunted by guilt while Cèline deals with a loss that changes her life. Neither woman is able to process what happened in a healthy way leading to a dark and shocking end.
Rating this movie, I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10 stars. Mothers' Instinct is a compelling psychological thriller about grief, guilt and friendship through the lens of suspense and nerve-wracking tension. It's not perfect because it loses the tension later and becomes melodramatic but it's worth watching. Chastain and Hathaway are fantastic together and the old-fashioned, atmospheric setting gives the film a beautiful vintage feel. Aesthetic fans will love this too.
All images above are screenshots from the movie
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Rating: 75/100
