PopHorror Let's Get Scared
In honor of the special May holiday, I would like to wish all the Moms reading this a very Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you’re able to kick back, relax, and have a worry-free day…and maybe even indulge in a movie or two. The great thing about the horror genre is that there are always plenty of fun, thrilling, and twisted movies for any occasion; Mother’s Day is no exception.
Our moms are always there for us, no matter what kind of mess we find ourselves in. They wash our clothes, feed us, provide moral support, and even check up on us when we move away just to make sure we’re happy. Well, most Moms, that is…some just go bat shit crazy and make the lives of everyone around them horrible, like in these Top 11 Craziest Moms in Horror movies. Take a glance at some of these psychotic moms – it may have you appreciating your own mother even more!
11. Norman Bates’ Mom – Psycho (1960)
“A boy’s best friend is his mother.”
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is an iconic horror movie that never gets old. Played by Anthony Perkins, Norman Bates is your original Mama’s boy. He’ll do anything for his Mother…including dressing up as her and killing the nosy, irritating people at their hotel. Although his mom is not actually in the movie, she has a huge influence over Norman’s actions and personality. She clearly did some disturbing things to him during his upbringing! If you want to know more about that, you should check out the Bates Motel television series on A&E, which plays as a prequel to the Psycho movie series.
10. Woman/Mother – The People Under the Stairs (1991)
“Remember not to bruise her face.”
One of my favorite movies by Wes Craven, The People Under the Stairs is a uniquely bizarre movie. Two crazy, incestuous siblings own a house where they lock people up in the cellar under the stairs… among other weird things. The Mother (Wendy Robie) is purely evil and plays her role perfectly. Not only is she sleeping with her own brother, she tortures her alleged daughter, Alice, when she doesn’t behave, including giving her scalding hot baths. She’s a fun character, one of the craziest moms ever, and someone you love to hate!
9. Mrs. Wadsworth – The Baby (1973)
“Maybe you think too much. When it comes to Baby, I do all the thinking.”
Directed by Ted Post, this horror thriller is insanely creepy and weird. Mrs. Wadsworth, played by Ruth Roman, is the mother of “Baby,” a man in the body of a twenty-year-old but with the brain of an infant. Despite being adults, Mrs. Wadsworth and the rest of the family are neglectful and abusive to him. Luckily, social worker Ann Gentry (Anjanette Comer), comes in to try to save Baby from the madness. But is he better off with Ann? If you want to know more about this movie, check out Evan’s review.
8. Mama – Mama (2013)
“Victoria! Come! Mama!”
Directed by Andrés Muschietti, Mama is an underrated gem, in my opinion. Yes, it’s rated PG-13, but it’s actually quite creepy with a beautifully sad story. Javier Botet plays the unique character of Mama, a supernatural being who takes on the role of Mother for two little orphaned girls. She was there when they needed her the most, but how can she continue to be there for them when she’s not human?
7. Constance – American Horror Story: Murder House (2011)
“Don’t make me kill you again.”
As I’ve mentioned before in other reviews, Jessica Lange has played many roles in the television series American Horror Story, but her role as Constance was amazing. She’s a seemingly sweet, older Southern lady with a hidden, dark past. She’s also a force to reckon with and you don’t want to get on her bad side. She’ll do anything to protect her family, including ensuring that they will never leave her, even after they’re dead. Yeah, sometimes she goes a little too far…yet she continues to wonder why some of her children turned out the way they did. Plus, all American Horror Story fans love her in general because she gave us Tate – the sexiest, craziest ghost ever.
6. Debbie Salt – Scream 2 (1997)
“No. I’m very sane. My motive isn’t as ‘90s as Mickey’s. Mine is just good, old-fashioned revenge. You killed my son! And now I kill you and I can’t think of anything more rational.”
The sequel to Wes Craven’s Scream brings on new killers, one of them being Debbie Salt, played by Laurie Metcalf. She plays the mother of the previous killer, Billy Loomis, and is seeking revenge for her son’s death. I’ve always loved Laurie – specifically her role in the television show Roseanne – so seeing her play a psychotic bitch was pretty awesome. I would have been pretty sad about losing Billy too. I mean, I still am sad…Skeet Ulrich is freaking hot!
5. “Mother” – Mother’s Day (1980)
“I’m so proud of my boys, they never forget their mama!”
Directed by Charles Kaufman, Mother’s Day is not your typical Mother’s Day tale, as it follows three women on a camping trip who are kidnapped by a sadistic, crazy family. But what’s the most insane part about it? The boy’s mother (Beatrice Pons) is the one encouraging and goading her sons to torture and humiliate the girls. It’s fucking sick!
4. Mrs. Voorhees – Friday the 13th (1980)
“You see, Jason was my son, and today is his birthday…”
After her son drowns at Camp Crystal Lake, Mrs. Voorhees, played by the legendary Betsy Palmer, goes on a killing rampage, slashing away at camp counselors in revenge for her son. She’s the ultimate badass. She looks like a sweet, old lady and then she pulls out that knife and then you know it’s on. I don’t blame her, though…I’d be pissed that people let my kid drown, too.
3. Joan Crawford – Mommie Dearest (1981)
“No wire hangers, ever!!!”
Joan Crawford (Faye Dunaway) takes crazy to a whole other level. Directed by Frank Perry, Mommie Dearest is based on the best-selling memoir of the abusive and traumatic upbringing of Christina Crawford at the hands of her adoptive mother, actress Joan Crawford. Although this movie is not technically a horror movie, it simply has to be on the list. She’s one of the craziest moms ever portrayed on the silver screen and it’s an awesome movie. I remember my Mom had me watch this movie in my teen years and her response after was, “See, I’m not so bad after all, huh?”
2. Margaret White – Carrie (1976)
“They’re all gonna laugh at you!”
Everyone knows about Piper Laurie’s iconic role as Carrie’s mother, Margaret White. It’s no doubt that Carrie’s weird and awkward demeanor stemmed from the sheltered, religious upbringing that her mom bestowed upon her. I mean, the poor girl didn’t even know what her period was, something every mother should teach her daughter about. But that wasn’t even the craziest part: when Carrie’s powers begin to show more, her Mom becomes even more paranoid, taking it as a sign from the devil that the girl must be stopped.
1. Beverly Sutphin – Serial Mom (1994)
“Pussywillows, Dottie!”
Finally, Serial Mom – my favorite of the bunch! Kathleen Turner plays Beverly Sutphin, just your average housewife whose annoyances cause her to develop a bloodlust she never knew she had! It’s a fun, dark comedy that’s directed by John Waters with awesome actors, including Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake, Matthew Lillard, and, of course, Kathleen Tuner! The commentary is great, and although the situations are messed up, each scene will have you laughing.
Looking back on these movies most certainly makes me grateful for my own upbringing. I know I have an awesome mom, one who brought me up on great movies, horror, and legendary icons. She may be her own special kind of crazy, but she has nothing on these psychotic moms. I hope you enjoyed the list. Watch one with your Mom on Sunday and have a few laughs!
