Movie Review: ‘You Are Not My Mother’ A Disturbing and Unique Coming-of-Age Story

If you love a dark, bleak, and coming-of-age horror story, You Are Not My Mother delivers it all. The film was directed by Kate Dolan and stars Carolyn Bracken (“Dublin Murders”), IFTA Award nominee Ingrid Craigie (“Blood”), and Dublin International Film Festival Discovery Award winner Hazel Doupe (Kathleen Was Here).

Synopsis for You Are Not My Mother

It’s the week before Halloween and Char’s (Doupe) mother, Angela (Bracken), has suddenly disappeared, leaving only her car behind. When she returns home without explanation the following evening, it becomes clear to Char and her grandmother, Rita (Craigie), that Angela’s behavior has become increasingly frightening, as if she has been replaced by a malevolent force. When Halloween arrives, Char realizes that she is the only one who can save her mother, even if it means potentially losing her forever. F

You Are Not My Mother takes viewers on a terrifying, yet authentic coming-of-age journey. On the outside, Char seems like your average teenage girl, but that couldn’t be further the truth. She’s simply just trying to survive adolescence and dodging bullies left and right at school, and unfortunately her home life isn’t much better. Her grandma isn’t well and her mother is bedbound due to depression. However, just when Char thinks couldn’t get worse, her mother goes missing and when she comes back something isn’t right with her… but what could it be? and nothing will ever be the same again.

Although the story is good I think the best part about the film was the emotionally-driven performances and estranged but beautiful relationship between Char and her mother. Carolyn Bracken is phenomenal and portrays depression unbearably accurate. You can not only feel her pain but the pain of everyone in the household has due to her absence. Hazel Doupe is incredible as well. So authentic and raw.

The way You Are Not My Mother is portrayed almost feels like a dark, coming-of-age fairytale. The visuals and special effects throughout the film were excellent and helped deliver the grim and claustrophobic atmosphere throughout the story. You Are Not My Mother touches on some dark subjects and can be pretty brutal at some points, so viewer beware.

You Are Not My Mother is now available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and On Demand from Magnet Label. Be sure to check it out and discover the dark secrets Char’s family has been keeping from her.