El sótano de Ma

Just don't expect too much!

It's not a horror movie, it's some sort of fun teen thriller-ish movie with some twisted scenarios but overall a quite simple script. It's not very scary, though there are a fez fun jump scares. Turn off those critical brain cells and just enjoy the movie...

I guess I can say that I didn't get bored watching this movie.

For reference maybe it's good to know that I watch movies for entertainment purposes. If you are in it for the "art" (think of the most boring movie 'It comes at night'), you might be disappointed. If you enjoy entertaining flicks like 'Happy deathday' or 'The Babysitter' or stuff like that, I'm sure you will enjoy this one.

Don't understand why people get stuck on realism when they judge this movie. Sure there are a few over-the-top moments, but why does that matter? Not every movie needs to be Oscar bait. It's creepy and menacing, just like it's supposed to be.

Obviously, Octavia Spencer nails it as a former high-school wannabe, who struggles with breaking free from her past. Naturally most people like her wouldn't take it this far, but I'm from a small town, and that post high-school trauma is very real for a lot of people. And this being a horror movie, why not exaggerate a few things and have some fun with it?

Juliette Lewis also deserves a mention. She does not have a lot of screen time, but surely makes the most of it. I can not understand why she isn't getting better parts, in even greater movies, because she is fantastic.

7/10

Beyond a far-fetched and almost-laughable script, the actors play pretty well, especially Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers and Juliette Lewis. The introduction languishes, lasts about an hour and one has overall the impression that the mountain has brought forth a mouse. Although I obviously do not belong to the intended audience which is probably narrowed to teens, it's worth a try with low expectations.

Decent thriller, I did not feel like I lost two hours of my life.

Pros: Seeing Octavia Spencer in this type of movie is refreshing, she has real acting chops and they show even with this limited script.

Cons: Movie did not give a proper development to what happens. We see something earlier on, but there would have been a pattern long before the 'thriller' part started happening. The changes in tone felt 'rushed'.

Not winning awards, but watchable.

New high school transfer student Maggie Thompson (Diana Silvers) lives with her mother Erica (Juliette Lewis) who moved back to her home town after various failures to work as a casino waitress. Maggie is befriended by Haley (McKaley Miller) and her friends. They try to recruit adults to buy them beer and Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer) agrees. Later, she invites them to party at her house and it becomes a student hot spot. She asks them to call her Ma.

This could be a functional horror movie. I can see a crazy Octavia Spencer turning on a group of hapless teens. It doesn't work here for a variety of reasons. It tries to slow burn the story. It tries to have another layer with her daughter. It tries to explain her by giving her a history. The ending has a lot of bad decisions and bad turns. Octavia is giving it all into the role but it's a top price steak in a sour stew.