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IMDbPro

Serial Mother

Original title: Serial Mom
  • 1994
  • 12
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
37K
YOUR RATING
Matthew Lillard, Kathleen Turner, Ricki Lake, and Sam Waterston in Serial Mother (1994)
Pre, "Coming Soon"
Play trailer3:00
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Dark ComedyParodySatireSerial KillerSlapstickComedyCrimeThriller

She's the perfect all-American parent: a great cook and homemaker, a devoted recycler, and a woman who'll literally kill to keep her children happy.She's the perfect all-American parent: a great cook and homemaker, a devoted recycler, and a woman who'll literally kill to keep her children happy.She's the perfect all-American parent: a great cook and homemaker, a devoted recycler, and a woman who'll literally kill to keep her children happy.

  • Director
    • John Waters
  • Writer
    • John Waters
  • Stars
    • Kathleen Turner
    • Sam Waterston
    • Ricki Lake
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    37K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Waters
    • Writer
      • John Waters
    • Stars
      • Kathleen Turner
      • Sam Waterston
      • Ricki Lake
    • 161User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos3

    Serial Mom
    Trailer 3:00
    Serial Mom
    Serial Mom: Tomorrow
    Clip 2:56
    Serial Mom: Tomorrow
    Serial Mom: Tomorrow
    Clip 2:56
    Serial Mom: Tomorrow
    Serial Mom: The Fire Poker
    Clip 2:43
    Serial Mom: The Fire Poker

    Photos132

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    + 125
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    Top cast76

    Edit
    Kathleen Turner
    Kathleen Turner
    • Mom
    Sam Waterston
    Sam Waterston
    • Dad
    Ricki Lake
    Ricki Lake
    • Misty
    Matthew Lillard
    Matthew Lillard
    • Chip
    Scott Morgan
    • Detective Pike
    • (as Scott Wesley Morgan)
    Walt MacPherson
    • Detective Gracey
    Justin Whalin
    Justin Whalin
    • Scotty
    Patricia Dunnock
    Patricia Dunnock
    • Birdie
    Lonnie Horsey
    • Carl
    Mink Stole
    Mink Stole
    • Dottie Hinkle
    Mary Jo Catlett
    Mary Jo Catlett
    • Rosemary Ackerman
    John Badila
    • Mr. Stubbins
    Kathy Fannon
    • Betty Sterner
    Doug Roberts
    Doug Roberts
    • Ralph Sterner
    Traci Lords
    Traci Lords
    • Carl's Date
    Tim Caggiano
    • Marvin Pickles
    Jeff Mandon
    Jeff Mandon
    • Howell Hawkins
    Colgate Salsbury
    • Father Boyce
    • Director
      • John Waters
    • Writer
      • John Waters
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews161

    6.836.7K
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    Featured reviews

    7millerian-55

    Underappreciated, Satirical Dark Comedy

    It gets more hilarious and better every time I think about it. The prank call scenes deserve to be more iconic than they are, they're so freaking hysterical. For a comedy this movie is hilarious and for a thriller, it's genuinely thrilling. I really don't understand the low ratings of this one, especially on IMDB, did people going expecting something different from John Waters? But I digress.

    In terms of performances, Kathleen Turner is the perfect star to be in a John Water vehicle. It makes me sad to see her fall out of the limelight because every movie I've seen with her, she's easily been the best part, she is so charismatic and she is perfectly cast in this movie.

    In addition, the satirical elements of modern mass obsession with real crime stories couldn't be more apt and wonderfully woven into the story. It really adds to the story, and keeps it from just being a great comedy.

    And speaking of obsession with real crime stories, I do wonder what John Waters thinks of the glut of Ted Bundy documentaries and movies that have come out recently.
    7dbdumonteil

    Beverly Sutphin is not to be trifled with

    Imagine this: the main character is a woman called Beverly Sutphin. Her husband is a dentist and she does her best to bring up her children. In short, she is a respectable human being with the particularity of being a real stickler for good manners . Maybe, a little too respectable so that when someone speaks ill of one member of her family, Beverly is ready to kill to defend her family!

    Only one filmmaker seemed designated to shot this highly entertaining black comedy: John Waters, the king of bad taste and extravagance. In "Serial Mom", most of the comical situations are structured about the two quoted characteristics. The whole is condensed in one hour and a half. You don't get bored one moment and you honestly laugh in front of all these murders. In "Serial Mom", you also recognize Waters' strong taste for bloody, gore and horror movies. Moreover, for this extraordinary director, it is the occasion to harm the model image of the American family.

    All in all, a delightfully politically incorrect comedy led by a Kathleen Turner on top form.
    8redtiago

    Very good satirical horror comedy

    I saw Monday at MotelX

    Very good satirical horror comedy with plenty of black humor, from the disruptor, unsubmissive and transgressor master John Waters.

    It satirizes society's fascination with serial killers as well as inconsistencies in society's moral values.

    Great interpretation by Kathleen Turner, in this fun comedy where even the well-known rock band L7 (here as Camel Lips) is like a fish in water and contributes to chaos...

    I strongly recommend.
    pwgabachito

    Love it!

    This movie was offensive, vulgar, shocking, and yes, mean spirited. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't that was John Waters is all about? Kathleen Turner and Sam Waterston do a wonderful job of overacting (badly) in classic Waters fashion. Liver on a fireplace poker? Turner as June Cleaver making obscene and threatening phone calls? Juror 8 (Patty Hearst) wearing white shoes after Labor Day? How can you not love it? This movie ranks up there with Citizen Ruth or Heathers as one of the best black comedies ever. And it also seems to have given some inspiration to Natural Born Killers, the finest of the genre. (Although not nearly as easy to stomach.)
    Not2Ghetto420

    A Classic

    This movie is one of the best black comedies of all time. Every scene is flawlessly funny, and of course the courtroom scene is phenominal... Kathleen Turner does not let down, I swear to god this movie rocks, especially when your intoxicated

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was Matthew Lillard's first film. When he noticed that Kathleen Turner had memorized everyone's names from the call sheets, he asked her why she did it. Her reply was, "Oh, honey, that's the first thing you do!"
    • Goofs
      When Beverly goes to Chip's school for a P.T.A. meeting, Mr. Stubbins says Chip is "off to a fine start this year". However, a card in the opening scene established that the day is Friday, May 14, 1993, which would be nearing the end a school year, not the beginning.
    • Quotes

      Dottie Hinkle: Hello?

      Beverly Sutphin: Is this the Cocksucker residence?

      Dottie Hinkle: God damn you! Stop calling here!

      Beverly Sutphin: Is this Four Two One Five Pussy Way?

      Dottie Hinkle: You bitch!

      Beverly Sutphin: Now let me check the ZIP code. Two-one-two-fuck-you?

      Dottie Hinkle: The police are tracing this call this very minute.

      Beverly Sutphin: Well, Dottie Hinkle, then why aren't they here, huh, fuckface?

      Dottie Hinkle: FUCK YOU!

      [hangs up]

      Beverly Sutphin: Hahahaha!

      [immediately calls her back]

      Dottie Hinkle: DIDN'T I JUST SAY FUCK YOU?

      Beverly Sutphin: [in a different voice] I beg your pardon?

      Dottie Hinkle: Who is this?

      Beverly Sutphin: Mrs. Wilson from the telephone company. I understand you're having problems with an obscene phone caller?

      Dottie Hinkle: Yes, I am. I'm sorry, Mrs. Wilson. But this is driving me crazy! I've had my number changed twice already. I'm a divorced woman, please help me.

      Beverly Sutphin: Well what exactly does this sick individual say to you?

      Dottie Hinkle: I can't say the words out loud, I don't use bad language.

      Beverly Sutphin: Oh well, I know it's difficult but we need to know the exact words.

      Dottie Hinkle: I'll try. Cocksucker, that's what she calls me.

      Beverly Sutphin: [reverting to the original voice] LISTEN TO YOUR FILTHY MOUTH, YA FUCKIN' WHORE!

      Dottie Hinkle: GODDAMN YOU!

      Beverly Sutphin: MOTHERFUCKER!

      Dottie Hinkle: COCKSUCKER!

    • Crazy credits
      No flies were injured or killed in the making of this motion picture.
    • Connections
      Edited into 365 days, also known as a Year (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Gas Chamber
      Written by L7 and John Waters

      Performed by L7

      Courtesy of Slash Records

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Serial Mom?Powered by Alexa
    • The movie is full of captions that lead us to believe the movie is based on a real case...is it?
    • At the flea market a man asks if "New York money" is ok. What is "New York money?"

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 25, 1994 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ten cuidado con mamá
    • Filming locations
      • Baltimore, Maryland, USA
    • Production companies
      • Savoy Pictures
      • Polar Entertainment Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,820,688
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,040,450
      • Apr 17, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,823,437
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Dolby Stereo

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