Ma

Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 31, 2019
5.4
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 117 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
36
Mixed:
54
Negative:
27
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5
Compi24Jun 4, 2019
Try as she might, not even the likes of Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer can save this thriller from the doldrums of mundanity. See, for me, it's the approach that's all wrong with this one, with the film's deceptive marketing campaignTry as she might, not even the likes of Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer can save this thriller from the doldrums of mundanity. See, for me, it's the approach that's all wrong with this one, with the film's deceptive marketing campaign offering up a far more campy and fun ride than the one you end up getting. "Ma" is awkward, sporadically thrilling and lacking in any characters you care about, ultimately rendering the overall experience feeling empty and bare. Even the appropriately committed performance from Spencer as the titular character is undone by the mere fact that the script and direction isn't anywhere near as enthusiastic as she is about all of this. In short, "Ma" is a tremendous waste of potential on almost all fronts, but a moderately watchable one at that. Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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4
JLuis_001Jun 4, 2019
Perhaps on paper the story might have sounded a lot much interesting but its execution is merely mediocre.
Most of the teen characters are disposable to the maximum while Octavia Spencer can do little with what the story offers. I will not
Perhaps on paper the story might have sounded a lot much interesting but its execution is merely mediocre.
Most of the teen characters are disposable to the maximum while Octavia Spencer can do little with what the story offers. I will not deny that she tries to make the character more disturbing, but she can only take the work alone to a certain stretch.

Disappointing not because of my expectations, because I didn't have any but because its offer doesn't compensate for the time invested.
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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5
TVJerryJun 8, 2019
Oscar winner Octavia Spencer must have looked forward to having a chance to be evil, but even her acting skills can't elevate this mediocre suspense film. She plays a lonely woman with issues, who invites a group of high schoolers to comeOscar winner Octavia Spencer must have looked forward to having a chance to be evil, but even her acting skills can't elevate this mediocre suspense film. She plays a lonely woman with issues, who invites a group of high schoolers to come over and party in her basement. Obviously, things turn dark before it's over, but it takes too long and the payoff isn't worth the wait. None of the cast was bad and Spencer does her best to reflect the ghosts from her past, but the script or direction aren't strong enuff to carry the load. Interestingly, another Oscar winner (Allison Janney) has a smallish role. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
GinaKJun 5, 2019
I had such high hopes for this movie because Octavia Spencer and Juliette Lewis were in the cast, but sadly this film turned out to be incredibly bad when it wasn’t incredibly boring. So many decent young actors trapped in an awful movie withI had such high hopes for this movie because Octavia Spencer and Juliette Lewis were in the cast, but sadly this film turned out to be incredibly bad when it wasn’t incredibly boring. So many decent young actors trapped in an awful movie with an awful script. I guess it was supposed to be a slasher flick, but it turned out to be the bad kind that makes little or no sense and is just an excuse to test new techniques for making the actors seem to bleed. My advice is to go to something you enjoyed a second time and stay away from this one. I’m going to beat the heat by seeing “Godzilla” again this week – this time in IMAX. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
Trineo99Jun 2, 2019
First of all, Octavia Spencer is great as Ma. She easily switched from being that nice old lady who lives next door to that psycho killer next door in a matter of seconds. She was probably the only good thing in this movie. All of the otherFirst of all, Octavia Spencer is great as Ma. She easily switched from being that nice old lady who lives next door to that psycho killer next door in a matter of seconds. She was probably the only good thing in this movie. All of the other actors you could tell were trying their best with what they were given but it just ended up being really boring to watch. Diana Silvers was probably the best one out of all of them. Now, I’m not going to put all the blame on the actors for this because even though this movie is one hour and thirty-nine minutes long it feels like a two-hour long movie. The film feels really slow throughout the entire first act and doesn’t pick up speed until the last little bit. This wouldn’t be a problem if there was something interesting going on but there wasn’t. The characters were either at Ma’s house or doing something in their everyday lives and this isn’t a spoiler because it’s in the trailer. I feel like this film would have been better as a short film than a full feature-length film. A lot of the scenes in this movie also just awkwardly ended with no purpose. One thing I do want to mention is that if you are interested in watching this movie do not watch the trailer because the trailer spoils pretty much everything in the movie. I will not say what scene from the trailer it is, even though if you watch it you can easily figure it out, gives away the entire ending to this movie. In the end, this movie really isn’t worth a watch because the trailer spoils it and it’s only worth watching for the last 10 to 15 minutes. I give Ma a 5.5/10. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
GrantD243Sep 4, 2019
Ma succeeds in its goal of being an entertaining popcorn flick. Octavia Spencer plays a damn good scary lady, but the motivation behind her character's sudden "snap" is a little too unbelievable for me, and the climax of the story wasn'tMa succeeds in its goal of being an entertaining popcorn flick. Octavia Spencer plays a damn good scary lady, but the motivation behind her character's sudden "snap" is a little too unbelievable for me, and the climax of the story wasn't quite as wild as I was hoping it to be. Still entertaining, but nothing more than an afternoon watch. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
qbaseSep 6, 2019
Η ερμηνεία της Octavia Spencer (η οποία την τελευταία μισή ώρα “δίνει” πόνο) εξουδετερώνει πολλές από τις αδυναμίες του Ma, αλλά ο ανομοιογενής ρυθμός του και η επίπονη ιστορία “κρατούν” αυτό το θρίλερ από το να συνειδητοποιήσει πλήρως τιςΗ ερμηνεία της Octavia Spencer (η οποία την τελευταία μισή ώρα “δίνει” πόνο) εξουδετερώνει πολλές από τις αδυναμίες του Ma, αλλά ο ανομοιογενής ρυθμός του και η επίπονη ιστορία “κρατούν” αυτό το θρίλερ από το να συνειδητοποιήσει πλήρως τις δυνατότητες του. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
tropicAcesMay 31, 2019
Just one of those films that didn’t work for me. Nothing against Spencer, she seems to be having a ball, but the pacing and reveals are so sluggish that by the time things get interesting you’ve already checked out; this movie is 99 minutesJust one of those films that didn’t work for me. Nothing against Spencer, she seems to be having a ball, but the pacing and reveals are so sluggish that by the time things get interesting you’ve already checked out; this movie is 99 minutes but feels like over two hours. Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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5
Rebecca31Jun 10, 2019
I haven’t lost my marbles, I know Ma is terrible but it’s also a little bit hilarious and it’s got Octavia Spencer as the severely unhinged Ma so you could do worse. We’re in a bit of a lull period at the moment and sure you can go see thisI haven’t lost my marbles, I know Ma is terrible but it’s also a little bit hilarious and it’s got Octavia Spencer as the severely unhinged Ma so you could do worse. We’re in a bit of a lull period at the moment and sure you can go see this month’s mediocre blockbusters Godzilla 2 or Dark Phoenix or see a mediocre horror/thriller/doesn’t really know what genre it wants to be and see Ma instead.

Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer) is a bit of a loner, a little bit strange but when asked by a group of teenagers to buy them alcohol not only does she help them but she gives them a chance to drink in the “safety” of her basement. This quickly becomes the new hotspot for all the local teenagers to party and drink and Ma is loving the attention and new friends, and that’s right around the time her behaviour starts to become a tad bit obsessive and erratic which then starts to descend into psychotic, **** crazy and roll credits. I would expect nothing less of Octavia Spencer, she brings her A game to a film with a generic and predictable plot and I can’t say the same for anyone else. Ma is only mildly better than your average painfully annoying teenager horror flick (Truth or Dare & Unfriended immediately spring to mind) and honestly that’s only down to Spencer’s performance. She single-handedly carries this movie into watchable territory so at least I came out of Ma not feeling like I wasted the last hour and a half. Another bonus is Luke Evans and Allison Janney, in what is essentially a cameo role, I’m not sure why they’re even in this film to be honest but hey I’m not complaining. The film itself does not offer anything new into the horror/thriller genre. It’s painfully dull at times but for some of you it should give you a few laughs for all the wrong reasons. Recommended for the horror fans who have nothing else to see at the moment.
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2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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6
onehonestcriticJun 2, 2019
Ma is well-written and superbly acted. While the elements of horror are on full display, the story is believable. It is not a great film, however. There are some issues with pacing and suspense. The movie could have been better if it delved aMa is well-written and superbly acted. While the elements of horror are on full display, the story is believable. It is not a great film, however. There are some issues with pacing and suspense. The movie could have been better if it delved a little more into the backstory, spent a little more time on character development, and allowed the story to unfold unhurriedly. Nonetheless, if you are on fence, I would recommend seeing it. Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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0
PanchogulMay 10, 2020
Ni siquiera Octavia Spencer salva esta película, aburrida y mala a más no poder.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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1
Qhasi1Sep 27, 2019
Awful movie. I only watched it because of Octavia Spencer. She probably had a great time making this film, but then the movie is a joke. Not scary, not funny, not entertaining
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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10
StevenslabaughMay 31, 2019
The most fun I've had at the movies this year and that's all I'm gonna say.
3 of 7 users found this helpful34
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10
godisawomanMay 31, 2019
love this movie so much stop the servation.. hello this movie is serve of the decade
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
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7
LamontRaymondJun 4, 2019
Wow, this is MUCH better than I thought it would be. Why in the world did I see that crapfest Rocketman before this last weekend? It's fun, it's creative, the writing is interesting, and Octavia Spencer is a BLAST. Juliette Lewis is alsoWow, this is MUCH better than I thought it would be. Why in the world did I see that crapfest Rocketman before this last weekend? It's fun, it's creative, the writing is interesting, and Octavia Spencer is a BLAST. Juliette Lewis is also amazing in this. Yes, it does get a little GROSS in the finest traditions of horror flicks and torture porn, but hey, you get what you pay for. I'd certainly recommend this! Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
Tovar29Jun 1, 2019
OK guys, its a horror movie, so loved since it started, so proud of all them
0 of 5 users found this helpful05
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5
zombox5000Jan 14, 2021
While there are certainly creepy moments in this film, the whole plot and story is very strained and hard to buy into. Some of the key actors aren't up to snuff to carry their role, better actors are featured in secondary positions in theWhile there are certainly creepy moments in this film, the whole plot and story is very strained and hard to buy into. Some of the key actors aren't up to snuff to carry their role, better actors are featured in secondary positions in the film. I'd only recommend this if you don't have anything to watch and like horror a lot more than the average person. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
bfoore90Feb 17, 2020
Octavia Spencer and Juliette Lewis are fantastic in this. Diana Silvers was also very good in this, this movie is mostly okay. The thing with this film is that is completely absurd and falls off the rails almost gloriously. Look, this movieOctavia Spencer and Juliette Lewis are fantastic in this. Diana Silvers was also very good in this, this movie is mostly okay. The thing with this film is that is completely absurd and falls off the rails almost gloriously. Look, this movie could have been alot worse but for what it was, it wasn't bad. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
alejandro970Jan 16, 2022
Considering who the producers are, one would get the idea that the film is a pleasant surprise. Indeed it is, but towards the end the story gets out of control and cannot help but resemble what has already been seen. It serves at least for aConsidering who the producers are, one would get the idea that the film is a pleasant surprise. Indeed it is, but towards the end the story gets out of control and cannot help but resemble what has already been seen. It serves at least for a weekend, without many pretensions. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
wevertonaguiiarAug 19, 2019
O filme funciona basicamente pelo excelente trabalho da Olivia Spencer. Esta obra tinha um enorme potencial de se tornar um clássico instantâneo. Se o roteir fosse mais caprichado e complexo, se o elenco de apoio fosse mais vibrante e se aO filme funciona basicamente pelo excelente trabalho da Olivia Spencer. Esta obra tinha um enorme potencial de se tornar um clássico instantâneo. Se o roteir fosse mais caprichado e complexo, se o elenco de apoio fosse mais vibrante e se a direção fosse mais precisa e decidida, este filme teria sido ótimo. Porém.. Expand
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7
bataguilaSep 9, 2019
Es entretenida, ningun momento te aburres, hasta parece que si pasaria en la realidad.
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3
theredskyJun 17, 2019
This is another mixed bag for me. There a lot of problems with this film. Here are the negatives. The teenage actors did not do a good job. All 5 of them had no emotion in their performances and delivered their lines as boring as possible andThis is another mixed bag for me. There a lot of problems with this film. Here are the negatives. The teenage actors did not do a good job. All 5 of them had no emotion in their performances and delivered their lines as boring as possible and their characters are uninteresting. Although the concept for the film is good, the film has a problem like Brightburn. The story feels very basic and the film doesn’t do anything interesting with its concept. Some aspects of the story can feel dumb at times and the first 15 minutes are boring. The film does have a pacing issue also. Sometimes the film is slow while other times, it moves quickly. Here are the positives. The adult actors do a decent job. Luke Evans does a great job and Octavia Spencer steals the spotlight in every scene she is in. Her performance is by far the best thing about this movie. Her performance is worth seeing the movie. This film along with Brightburn knows how to build tension very well. You always feel this overwhelming sense of dread until the film comes to a head at the climax. There isn’t a lot of gore in this film but when it is used, it is used effectively and makes you feel uncomfortable which is what the film is going for. There are some genuinely funny moments in this film even if that wasn’t what the scene was going for. The cinematography is good in some areas and the tone does remain consistent throughout the film. The film also has a nice anti bullying message that is very evident by the end of the film. Overall, Ma provides some good acting from the adults and a nice message but fails to provide something more than its concept. I give Ma a 3/10. Expand
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9
MarlieteMay 31, 2019
I love you este movie demais top melhor filme do mundóoooooo recomendo muito vcs assistirem
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7
JustynneAug 26, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Movie is so **** up. Really like it's about bullying that will scar you for your entire life. Tho it's very transparent in the beginning Expand
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7
KwwakNov 14, 2019
Well... Not a typical horror movie with a lot of jump scares. It's thrilling from the beginning to the end.
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7
greedybadideaJun 14, 2020
Teenager Maggie Thompson moves with her mother Erica to her Ohio hometown after Erica's husband leaves her. At her new high school, Maggie befriends Haley, Darrell, Chaz, and Andy, who immediately develops a crush on her. They convince SueTeenager Maggie Thompson moves with her mother Erica to her Ohio hometown after Erica's husband leaves her. At her new high school, Maggie befriends Haley, Darrell, Chaz, and Andy, who immediately develops a crush on her. They convince Sue Ann "Ma" Ellington, a veterinary technician, to help buy them alcohol because they are underage. Sue Ann anonymously reports the teenagers' activities, but they are released because of the officer's history with Andy's father, Ben. The next day, Sue Ann invites the teenagers to drink in her basement. The next time they go, Sue Ann has decorated her basement and lots of other teenagers show up at her house to party, making her popular among the students.

However, her hospitality starts to annoy the group as she continuously harasses them to spend time with her. One night, Sue Ann sees Andy and Maggie kissing and becomes jealous; she is in love with him, having had a crush on his father, Ben, in high school. She drugs Maggie and takes her earrings. The next morning, Maggie wakes up and notices her earrings are missing and is badly bruised and cut. Scared, Maggie tells Andy that she does not want to go to her house anymore and that she does not want him to go, either.

To earn the group's trust back, Ma lies to them that she has pancreatic cancer. As she is talking, Haley notices that she is wearing a bracelet that belongs to a friend of theirs. The girls suspect that Sue Ann has been stealing their jewelry so they go to her house to investigate. They are surprised by Genie, Sue Ann's daughter from a failed marriage; Maggie is surprised to see her walking, as she uses a wheelchair at school. Genie tells them to leave as Sue Ann arrives home, and they narrowly escape.

Andy’s father Ben, who went to high school with Sue Ann, shows up at her job to drop off his cat and invites her out for drinks after work. Sue Ann goes home to change and meets him at the bar, where Ben confronts Sue Ann with a tracking device and asks her why his son has been at her house so much. Ben warns Sue Ann to stay away from Andy.

A flashback reveals that Sue Ann, who had a crush on Ben in high school, performed fellatio on him in a closet. Once she left the closet, it turned out that she had been doing it to another boy and Ben had tricked her. Ben had gotten the entire school to witness the event (including his current girlfriend Mercedes and a young Erica), and Sue Ann suffered devastating humiliation, which she never recovered from.

An increasingly unstable Sue Ann runs over Mercedes with her truck, killing her. She kills her boss, draws blood from Maggie's dog Louie, and lures Ben to her house, where she knocks him out. Ben wakes up trapped in her bed; Sue Ann pumps Louie's blood into his body, slashes his wrist, and leaves him to die. Maggie tells her mother the truth about Sue Ann, and Erica grounds her. Sue Ann sends Maggie a picture of herself with Andy in her basement at Chaz's birthday party. She sneaks out of the house to confront him. When she arrives, she notices that everyone has left and that only the original group remain. She tries to get Andy to leave but soon realizes that Andy and the rest of her friends have been drugged. Maggie tries to get help and in the process finds Ben's body. As she stands there in horror, Sue Ann renders her unconscious.

Maggie awakens chained in the basement. Sue Ann irons Chaz's stomach, sews Haley's mouth shut, and paints Darrell's face white. Andy awakens, and tries to seduce Sue Ann, as he is well aware that she is in love with him. She kisses him, but stabs him after realizing that he is lying. A police officer arrives and when Maggie screams for help, Sue Ann shoots him dead before he can react. She then gathers the four friends around the couch with her and makes Maggie take photos of them together in a crude recreation of the friendship Sue Ann always longed for but never had. Sue Ann then leaves Maggie to be hanged before Genie intervenes. Everyone else wakes up to discover what Sue Ann has done to them but barely have time to react as the house is on fire and need to find a way out. Erica, knowing where Maggie would be, calls her co-worker Stu for help and the two save the teenagers. Sue Ann attempts to throw Genie into the fire, blaming Erica for not stopping Ben from pulling the prank in school. Maggie stabs Sue Ann, saving Genie.

The group goes outside and asks what has happened. Sue Ann walks upstairs and lies down next to Ben's corpse, cuddling with it as the house burns.
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2
Toasty87Jul 16, 2020
The plot is good the rest is terrible everything seems forced and rushed .
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7
akshatmahajanJun 27, 2021
Ma is a type of movie which you can relate and can enjoy. The concept of Ma is not so different, a maladjusted adult tries to live her unfulfilled teenage dreams. After seeing what she does, you may think, "what if this happens with you inMa is a type of movie which you can relate and can enjoy. The concept of Ma is not so different, a maladjusted adult tries to live her unfulfilled teenage dreams. After seeing what she does, you may think, "what if this happens with you in real life?".

Movie was creepy, just like it's supposed to be. Octavia Spencer as the lead actress played her role perfectly. There's mystery and spookyness in her character which you can feel while watching her.

Some people complained that the movie exaggerated many things but I didn't have any problem with it. Being a horror movie, why not exaggerate a few things and have some fun with it?

Overall, it is a movie which you can watch and enjoy. Do give it a try and avoid negative reviews because the negativity is mainly due to realism which I think this type of movie didn't need.
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4
JLauSep 25, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Woman, bullied at school, tries to befriend some local kids but when they get sick of partying at her house, she starts killing people. Expand
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5
geewahDec 26, 2020
Dull and predictable.
It's premise is pretty good, the execution not so much.
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4
trashsoranoOct 7, 2021
Despite from the lazy, disappointing, underwhelming, unconvincing ending that ruined the whole movie, it was a great experience from the beginning to the middle, if it wasn't for the ending and some other adjustments, it could be an instantDespite from the lazy, disappointing, underwhelming, unconvincing ending that ruined the whole movie, it was a great experience from the beginning to the middle, if it wasn't for the ending and some other adjustments, it could be an instant classic, it had huge potential but it has been wasted. Expand
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3
CarlElmoreNov 22, 2022
It's a fun movie to make fun of but that's about it to be honest. Nothing makes this movie standout.
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