Jessica Chastain's 'Other Mommy' Struggles to Scare
Jessica Chastain leads 'Other Mommy,' a horror film directed by Rob Savage and based on the novel 'Incidents Around the House.' Variety's review says the movie fails on multiple levels, particularly in its handling of tone and perspective. The critic notes that a strong performance from its young actress is one of the few highlights.
Variety’s Siddhant Adlakha reviewed “Other Mommy” on Oct. 8, 2026. The horror feature stars Jessica Chastain and was directed by Rob Savage. It adapts the novel “Incidents Around the House.” The review faults the film’s tone and perspective, saying it falls short on several fronts.
The piece also mentions that the movie’s trailer ran frequently in theaters during the summer. Its opening title sequence presents letters one at a time alongside quick, fragmented images. According to the review, a notable performance by a young actress is among the project’s few strengths.
The mixed reception may shape how audiences view Jessica Chastain’s recent genre choices and could influence interest in future Rob Savage projects. Fans of the source novel might feel disappointed if the adaptation’s tone and perspective miss what they valued. For younger viewers, praise for the child actress could create new attention around her career. More broadly, the review may add to ongoing conversations about how horror adaptations balance atmosphere, point of view, and commercial trailer expectations.