Other Mommy: When Marketing Outshines the Movie
Other Mommy, a supernatural horror film directed by Rob Savage and starring Jessica Chastain, premiered in theaters on Oct. 9, 2026. The film follows an eight-year-old girl who befriends an entity resembling her mother, whom she calls “Other Mommy.” As the story progresses, the entity becomes an increasingly threatening presence in the family.
Earning millions at the box office, a campaign that followed audiences into theaters, and a concept built around a child’s most familiar figure. Yet, its reviews don’t live up to the expectations that were set.
Despite its promising qualities and how much recognition it received through advertisements, the attention surrounding its release did not translate into favorable reviews from critics and audiences.
During its opening weekend, the movie reportedly earned $45.2 million worldwide with fans rushing to watch the highly sought-after film. Despite the box office revenue, “Other Mommy” currently holds an 18% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it among the lowest-rated horror releases of 2026.
Users on the movie review platform Letterboxd have rated the film an average of 2.2 out of 5 stars. It was also given a D+ on CinemaScore, becoming the lowest grade since Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” in September 2024, which also received a D+.
“It wasn’t the best. I feel like it would’ve been so much better if they connected the dialogue to the actual storyline. It was all right, but it wasn’t worth the hype. We saw ads everywhere, even when we went to watch other movies. I honestly thought it was going to be a very good movie, but it didn’t meet my expectations,” said sophomore Nicole-Reyes Grande.
The film additionally gained much attention for one of its ads being called “the scariest part of watching the odyssey.” The movie had famously made its debut through advertisements, showing up in many theaters to precede movies that attracted large audiences, which exposed moviegoers to the concept, building anticipation from day one.
But attracting and satisfying an audience are two distinct challenges. Some viewers expressed disappointment with the finished film. One user on Letterboxd summarized their experience: “I’m bored and bothered; they should’ve spent the budget on the writing”
Critics also questioned the film’s reliance on repetitive jump scares and its individual horror sequences that did not always come together to contribute to the story. Similarly, freelance film critic Simon Abrams criticized the film’s pacing, arguing that the plot moved too quickly and left little time for the characters to develop relationships.
Nevertheless, disappointing reviews have not necessarily discouraged potential viewers, as many prefer to have personal experience rather than rely solely on popular opinion.
“The advertisements made me want to watch it because the concept seemed really interesting and different from other horror movies. Even though I’ve heard the reviews weren’t the best, I’d still be interested in watching it because everyone has different opinions, and I’d rather form my own opinion about the movie,” said junior Jackson Hamilton.
Many horror films rely on more than frightening imagery to leave a lasting impression. Elements like atmosphere, sound design, and cinematography work together to create suspense and add quality to the movie. When these elements fail to complement each other, even the best movie concept can struggle to maintain the audience’s interest.
For students at MLEC, who encounter movie trailers, ratings, and reviews across social media, Other Mommy illustrates how a film’s reputation can develop before audiences even see it. While negative reviews may discourage some viewers, others may remain curious enough to form their own opinion.
A good enough campaign can make any film impossible to ignore, but it cannot determine what audiences will feel once the credits roll. Other Mommy became a talking point even before viewers stepped into the theater, and it failed to reflect the anticipation that came before it. When a single trailer can shape the reputation of a movie, the challenge isn’t getting people to watch it, but to make it good enough to remember.
