Mother!

In the burned-out remains of a large house, Him, an acclaimed poet struggling with writer's block, places a crystal object on a pedestal in his study, and the building morphs into a beautiful home in an edenic landscape. Mother, the poet's wife and muse, awakens in her bed and wonders aloud where Him is. While renovating the house, she occasionally visualizes a beating heart within its walls.

One day, a stranger called Man turns up at the house, claiming to be an orthopedic surgeon and asking for a room. That night, Man suffers from dry heaves and Mother observes a wound on his side. Man's wife, Woman, arrives the next day. Mother is increasingly frustrated by her guests, but Him begs her to let them stay, revealing that Man is actually a fan whose dying wish was to meet Him. However, when Man and Woman accidentally shatter the crystal object, Him becomes angry and boards up his study. Man and Woman's two sons arrive unexpectedly and fight over Man's will. Oldest Son wounds his brother, and then flees after having his head smashed against glass by Him, leaving a bloody gash in Younger Brother's head.

Him, Man, and Woman take the injured son to the hospital. Mother cleans up and notices strange damage to the house, including a fly, a frog, and blood that will not stop dripping. She follows the blood to a tank of heating oil hidden behind the basement walls. Him informs Mother that Younger Brother has died.

Mother and Him are roused that night when dozens of people arrive unannounced at the house to mourn the dead son. The visitors behave in rude and presumptuous ways that irritate Mother, and she snaps and orders everyone to leave when they break a sink, partially flooding the house. She berates Him for allowing so many people inside and ignoring her needs, but their argument leads to passionate love-making. The next morning, Mother announces she is pregnant, which elates Him and inspires him to start writing again.

Some time later, Mother prepares for the child's arrival and reads Him's beautiful new poem. Upon publication, it is acclaimed and sells well. In celebration, Mother prepares a big dinner, but more fans interrupt. Mother tries to lock the doors, but droves of fans pour inside and begin to wreak havoc, damaging the house. Him is oblivious, but a disoriented Mother watches helplessly as military forces turn up to battle members of the cult that has sprung up around Him; his publicist organizes mass executions. Mother goes into labor and Him reopens his study so she can give birth inside.

The havoc outside subsides. Him finds that the fans have left gifts and are waiting. Him tells Mother that his fans want to see their newborn son, and he does not want them to leave. Mother refuses to hand over the boy to Him, but after she falls asleep, Him takes the child outside to the crowd. They pass the baby around wildly until he is inadvertently killed. Mother finds people eating her son's mutilated corpse. Furious, she attacks them. They turn on her and beat her savagely until Him intervenes. He begs Mother to forgive them, but she runs down to the basement oil-tank and ignites the oil, causing an explosion that incinerates the crowd and destroys the house.

Him is unscathed by the inferno, but Mother is severely burned. She asks him what he is, and he replies, "I am I" and says Mother is "home". He assures her that nothing was her fault and resolves to take her to "the beginning". He asks if her love still exists; with her permission, he removes her heart from her chest, tearing it open to reveal a new crystal object. He places it on the pedestal, transforming the house back into a beautiful home. A new Mother appears in her bed and awakens, wondering aloud where Him is.

{{Cast listing|

• Jennifer Lawrence as mother
• Javier Bardem as Him
• Ed Harris as man
• Michelle Pfeiffer as woman
• Brian Gleeson as younger brother
• Domhnall Gleeson as oldest son
• Jovan Adepo as cupbearer
• Patricia Summersett as consoler
• Emily Hampshire as fool
• Luis Oliva as idler
• Chris Gartin as adulterer
• Stephen McHattie as zealot
• Arthur Holden as lingerer
• Kristen Wiig as herald
• Scott Humphrey as abettor
• Marcia Jean Kurtz as thief
• Carolyn Fe as pilferer
• Cristina Rosato as novitiate
• Mizinga Mwinga as deputy
• Amanda Warren as healer
• Laurence Leboeuf as maiden
• Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse as foremother

}}

In an interview, Lawrence stated that the film is an allegory and "depicts the rape and torment of Mother Earth ... I represent Mother Earth; Javier, whose character is a poet, represents a form of God, a creator; Michelle Pfeiffer is an Eve to Ed Harris's Adam, there's Cain and Abel and the setting sometimes resembles the Garden of Eden."{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/mother-meaning-spoilers-biblical-references-ending-explained/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/mother-meaning-spoilers-biblical-references-ending-explained/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Mother! explained: what does it all mean, and what on earth is that yellow potion?|last=White|first=Adam|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London, England|date=September 16, 2017|access-date=September 17, 2017}}{{cbignore}}

Aronofsky said the exclamation mark in the title "reflects the spirit of the film", which ends with "a big exclamation point". He discussed the film's unusual choice of not capitalizing the letter 'm' in the title during a Reddit interview, saying: "To find out why there's a lowercase 'm', read the credits and look for the letter that is capitalised. Ask yourself what's another name for this character?" (In the credits, the characters' names are all shown in lowercase, except for Him.)

After 2014's Noah, Darren Aronofsky began working on a children's film. During that process, he came up with a new idea. He ended up writing the screenplay for Mother! in five days, much faster than his usual pace.{{cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/08/darren-aronofsky-mother.html |title=Darren Aronofsky Doesn't Want You to Know Anything About Mother! |last=Riseman |first=Abraham |website=Vulture |publisher=New York Media |access-date=September 7, 2017 |date=August 22, 2017 |archive-date=September 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923173811/http://www.vulture.com/2017/08/darren-aronofsky-mother.html |url-status=live }} The film uses a dream-logic narrative, of which Aronofsky has noted: "if you try to unscrew it, it kind of falls apart ... it's a psychological freak-out. You shouldn't over-explain it."{{cite web|last1=Brooks|first1=Xan|title=Darren Aronofsky on Mother! - 'Jennifer Lawrence was hyperventilating because of the emotion'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/07/darren-aronofsky-on-mother-jennifer-lawrence-was-hyperventilating-because-of-the-emotion|website=The Guardian|date=September 7, 2017|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921025240/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/07/darren-aronofsky-on-mother-jennifer-lawrence-was-hyperventilating-because-of-the-emotion|url-status=live}}

Jennifer Lawrence was reportedly in talks to join the film by October 2015{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Jennifer Lawrence in Talks to Star in Darren Aronofsky's Next Film (Exclusive)|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-1201616922/|access-date=October 14, 2015|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=October 13, 2015|archive-date=October 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013215839/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-1201616922/|url-status=live}} and by January 2016, Javier Bardem was also in talks to star.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Darren Aronofsky's Film Starring Jennifer Lawrence Lands at Paramount (Exclusive)|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-javier-bardem-1201655500/|date=January 11, 2016|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=July 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703031809/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-javier-bardem-1201655500/|url-status=live}} In March, it was announced Kristen Wiig had been cast in the film{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/kristie-wiig-richard-linklater-drama-movie-whered-you-go-bernadette-1202049738/|title=Kristen Wiig in Negotiations To Star In 'Where'd You Go Bernadette?'|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|first=Anita|last=Busch|date=March 23, 2017|access-date=March 26, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032941/https://deadline.com/2017/03/kristie-wiig-richard-linklater-drama-movie-whered-you-go-bernadette-1202049738/|url-status=live}} and, by April, Domhnall Gleeson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ed Harris and Brian Gleeson were added to the cast.{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title=Domhnall Gleeson, Michelle Pfeiffer Join Jennifer Lawrence in Darren Aronofsky Drama|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-movie-domhnall-gleeson-michelle-pfeiffer-1201754767/|access-date=July 12, 2016|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=April 15, 2016|archive-date=July 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720111023/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-movie-domhnall-gleeson-michelle-pfeiffer-1201754767/|url-status=live}} Sebastian Stan auditioned for Domhnall Gleeson's part, but "hyperventilated" during the audition due to a panic attack.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/sebatian-stan-marvel-flops-thunderbolts-mother-audition-1235881130/|title=Sebastian Stan talks Marvel flops, Thunderbolts and failed Mother! audition|date=January 21, 2024|access-date=January 21, 2024|work=Variety|archive-date=January 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121222755/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/sebatian-stan-marvel-flops-thunderbolts-mother-audition-1235881130/|url-status=live}} Lawrence was paid $15 million, while Harris and Pfeiffer earned $3 million and $5 million, respectively.

On a production budget of $30 million, principal photography began in Montreal, Québec under the shooting title Day 6 from June to August 2016.{{Cite web|last=Southey|first=Emily|title=10 celebrities visiting Montreal this summer|url=https://dailyhive.com/montreal/10-celebrities-visiting-montreal-this-summer|access-date=2024-01-03|website=Daily Hive|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205070921/https://dailyhive.com/montreal/10-celebrities-visiting-montreal-this-summer|url-status=live}} The cast first rehearsed for three months in a warehouse, during which time Aronofsky was able to "get a sense of movement and camera movement, and learn from that." Lawrence was reportedly quite relaxed through rehearsals; Aronofsky said that he "didn't get to know the character until we started shooting, and she showed up."

{{Anchor|Score}}

Mother! was the first of Aronofsky's films without the involvement of composer Clint Mansell.{{cite web |last1=Cabin |first1=Chris |title=Darren Aronofsky Teases Details of His New, Enigmatic Drama; Won't Be Collaborating with Clint Mansell |url=http://collider.com/darren-aronofsky-new-movie-jennifer-lawrence/ |work=ComplexMedia |via=Collider |access-date=October 28, 2016 |date=October 11, 2016 |archive-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315065639/https://collider.com/darren-aronofsky-new-movie-jennifer-lawrence/ |url-status=live }} It initially had a score composed by Jóhann Jóhannsson, but after seeing the 90-minute score synced up with a rough cut of the film, Aronofsky and Jóhannsson agreed not to use it. They tried using the score at only a few moments, then a minimal version of the score with sound design by Craig Henighan, incorporating noises into the soundscape of the house. They ultimately decided the film worked best with no music.{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/09/mother-movie-jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-score-johann-johannsson|title=Inside the Dreamy Nightmare of Mother!'s Music-Free Soundscape|first=Greg|last=Noone|work=Vanity Fair|access-date=May 7, 2018|date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=December 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218101049/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/09/mother-movie-jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-score-johann-johannsson|url-status=live}} Composer Ólafur Arnalds recounted the following story about this decision:

{{Blockquote

|text=... he had spent a year writing the score for Darren Aronofsky's Mother! and at some point realised that the film was better with no music at all. He proceeded to convince Darren to delete everything. It takes a real, selfless artist to do that. To realise the piece is better without you.

The most important part of creating art is the process, and Jóhann seemed to understand process. The score needed to be written first in order to realise that it was redundant. So in my view, Mother! still has a score by Jóhann. The score is just silence ... deafening, genius silence.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BfDwiTfF0bd/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BfDwiTfF0bd |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|first=Ólafur |last=Arnalds |title=My favorite Jóhann story is when he had spent a year writing the score for Darren Aronofsky's "Mother" and at some point realised that the ...|publisher=Instagram|date=February 11, 2018|access-date=May 7, 2018}}{{cbignore}}

}}

Over the closing credits, the film features a cover of Skeeter Davis's "The End of the World" performed by Patti Smith.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/patti-smith-played-the-mother-premiere-radio-city-plays-summerstage-tonight-win-tix/|title=Patti Smith played the 'Mother!' premiere @ Radio City, plays SummerStage tonight (win tix!)|last=Pearis|first=Bill|date=September 14, 2017|website=BrooklynVegan|access-date=September 21, 2017|publisher=Townsquare Music|archive-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921152331/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/patti-smith-played-the-mother-premiere-radio-city-plays-summerstage-tonight-win-tix/|url-status=live}}

File:Mother Press Conference.jpg at a press conference during the 2017 Venice Film Festival]]

The film was originally scheduled to be released on October 13, 2017,{{cite news|last1=Donnelly|first1=Matt|title=Paramount Pulls Brad Pitt's 'World War Z 2,' 'Friday the 13th' Reboot From Schedule|url=https://thewrap.com/world-war-z-2-friday-13th-pulled-from-paramount-schedule/|date=February 6, 2017|work=TheWrap|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826071150/http://www.thewrap.com/world-war-z-2-friday-13th-pulled-from-paramount-schedule/|url-status=live}} but was moved up to September 15.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/suburbicon-mother-move-up-cloverfield-stomps-to-february-paramount-release-date-changes-1202132930/|title='Suburbicon', 'Mother!' Move Up; 'Cloverfield' Stomps To February – Paramount Release Date Changes|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=July 21, 2017|access-date=July 21, 2017|archive-date=July 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721180639/http://deadline.com/2017/07/suburbicon-mother-move-up-cloverfield-stomps-to-february-paramount-release-date-changes-1202132930/|url-status=live}} It had its world premiere at the 74th Venice International Film Festival, where it was selected to compete for the Golden Lion;{{cite web|last1=Tartaglione|first1=Nancy|title=Venice Film Festival Sets Lido Launch For Aronofsky, Clooney, Del Toro, Payne & More As Awards Buzz Begins – Full List|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/venice-film-festival-2017-lineup-full-list-1202137114/|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=July 27, 2017|date=July 27, 2017|archive-date=October 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016191217/http://deadline.com/2017/07/venice-film-festival-2017-lineup-full-list-1202137114/|url-status=live}} premiered in London on September 6, 2017;{{cite web|url=http://www.ikonlondonmagazine.com/jennifer-lawrence-at-the-london-premiere-of-mother/|title=Jennifer Lawrence at the London Premiere of Mother!|website=Ikon London Magazine|access-date=September 7, 2017|date=September 6, 2017|first=Joe|last=Alvarez|archive-date=January 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117170732/http://www.ikonlondonmagazine.com/jennifer-lawrence-at-the-london-premiere-of-mother/|url-status=live}} and was screened at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.{{cite web|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title=Toronto Film Festival 2017 Unveils Strong Slate|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/toronto-film-festival-2017-margot-robbie-gary-oldman-jake-gyllenhaal-emma-stone-christian-bale-1202135285/|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=July 25, 2017|date=July 25, 2017|archive-date=July 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727162146/http://deadline.com/2017/07/toronto-film-festival-2017-margot-robbie-gary-oldman-jake-gyllenhaal-emma-stone-christian-bale-1202135285/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Kelley|first1=Seth|title=Watch Jennifer Lawrence in Ominous First Teaser for Darren Aronofsky's 'Mother!'|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/mother-trailer-jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-1202510776/|website=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=August 8, 2017|date=July 31, 2017|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805160544/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/mother-trailer-jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-1202510776/|url-status=live}}

Mother! was released digitally on December 5, 2017, and on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD on December 19.{{cite web|title=Mother! (2017)|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/8438/mother|website=DVDs Release Dates|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=March 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317094330/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/8438/mother|url-status=live}}

In September 2017, street art-based advertising agency Apparition Media painted over a mural in Sydney's Newtown neighbourhood with a mural promoting Mother! The original mural, "It's like a jungle sometimes", depicted the streets of Newtown as a jungle with the line referencing Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's song "The Message". It was painted in 2005 by artist Colin Bebe, who told the ABC that it represented a period of depression and suicidality.{{cite news |last1=Laurence |first1=Emily |title=Mother! director Darren Aronofsky apologies over Newtown mural stoush |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-08/mother21-director-darren-aronofsky-apologies-over-newtown-mural/8885476 |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=ABC Australia |date=8 September 2017}} Apparition Media painted over it without council permission, replacing it with a giant portrait of Jennifer Lawrence and the caption "#mothermovie." Much community outrage followed and within hours, the new mural had been graffitoed by someone who added: "Fuck off! It really is a jungle sometimes. No respect!"{{cite news |last1=Chlopicki |first1=Kirstie |title=A Newtown mural has been painted over for Hollywood horror movie |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/a-newtown-mural-has-been-painted-over-for-hollywood-horror-movie/news-story/e74676b014abeddaefc82e3f129c8702 |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) |date=8 September 2017}} Apparition Media apologised and word of the incident also reached Aronofsky himself, who tweeted that he was "embarrassed and furious" and would pay for the mural to be restored.{{cite news |title=Mother! director 'furious' over Sydney mural bungle |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-41196641 |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=BBC |date=8 September 2017}} The original mural was restored in December 2017.{{cite news |last1=Gladstone |first1=Nigel |title=Mural in Newtown painted over is now being restored on Enmore Rd with artist help |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/mural-in-newtown-painted-over-is-now-being-restored-on-enmore-rd-with-artist-help/news-story/0f373a060d310f43bacff6dea47a3f17 |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) |date=12 December 2017}}

The film grossed $17.8 million in the United States and Canada and $26.7 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $44.5 million.

In North America, the film was released alongside American Assassin and was projected to gross $12–14 million from 2,368 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web|url=https://thewrap.com/can-american-assassin-or-mother-poke-a-hole-in-it-box-office-balloon/|title=Can 'Mother!' or 'American Assassin' Poke a Hole in 'It' Box Office Balloon?|website=TheWrap|last=Fuster|first=Jeremy|access-date=May 7, 2018|date=September 12, 2017|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623061255/https://www.thewrap.com/can-american-assassin-or-mother-poke-a-hole-in-it-box-office-balloon/|url-status=live}} It made $700,000 from Thursday night previews, $3.1 million on its first day, and went on to open to just $7.5 million, finishing third at the box office. Deadline Hollywood attributed the film's underperformance to its controversial narrative, misleading advertisements, and "F" CinemaScore grade.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/it-stephen-king-movie-jennifer-lawrence-mother-dylan-obrien-american-assassin-weekend-box-office-1202170367/|title='It' Becomes Biggest-Ever September Release With $218.8M As 'Mother!' Gets F Report Card & Dismal $7.5M – Monday Final|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=September 18, 2017|date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918220828/http://deadline.com/2017/09/it-stephen-king-movie-jennifer-lawrence-mother-dylan-obrien-american-assassin-weekend-box-office-1202170367/|url-status=live}} {{as of|April 2020}}, it is one of only 22 films to receive such a rating.{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/is-an-f-from-cinemascore-actually-a-good-thing-our-c-1842666687 |title=Is an "F" from CinemaScore Actually a Good Thing? Our Critics Weigh In |last1=Dowd |first1=A. A. |last2=Rife |first2=Katie |publisher=The A.V. Club |date=April 3, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406071400/https://film.avclub.com/is-an-f-from-cinemascore-actually-a-good-thing-our-c-1842666687 |url-status=live }} Other publications wrote that the film's CinemaScore grade, which is rare, is typically associated with "a movie that goes out of its way to artfully alienate or confuse audiences."{{Cite news|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/darren-aronofksys-mother-banished-infamous-f-cinemascore-club-1039885|title=Darren Aronofksy's 'Mother!' Banished to Infamous F CinemaScore Club|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=September 17, 2017|date=September 16, 2017|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916233221/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/darren-aronofksys-mother-banished-infamous-f-cinemascore-club-1039885|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/mother-earns-a-rare-semi-coveted-f-from-cinemascore-1818476876|title=Mother! earns a rare, semi-coveted F from CinemaScore|last=Hughes|first=William|work=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|date=September 16, 2017|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916233425/https://www.avclub.com/mother-earns-a-rare-semi-coveted-f-from-cinemascore-1818476876|url-status=live}} In its second weekend, the film dropped 56.3% to $3.3 million, finishing sixth at the box office.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/kingsman-the-golden-circle-friend-request-lego-ninjago-box-office-weekend-1202174929/|title='Kingsman: The Golden Circle' Ropes $38M+; 'Ninjago' Dulls Sword To $21M; 'Friend Request' A Loner With $1.8M|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=September 24, 2017|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711184918/https://deadline.com/2017/09/kingsman-the-golden-circle-friend-request-lego-ninjago-box-office-weekend-1202174929/|url-status=live}}

Aronofsky responded to the film's CinemaScore rating by saying that Mother! was meant to be difficult viewing for audiences: "How if you walk out of this movie are you not going to give it an 'F'? ... We wanted to make a punk movie and come at you. And the reason I wanted to come is because I was very sad and I had a lot of anguish and I wanted to express it."{{Cite news|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/darren-aronofsky-responds-mothers-f-cinemascore-1042005|title=Darren Aronofsky Responds to 'Mother!'s' "F" CinemaScore|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=September 21, 2017|last=Shanley|first=Patrick|archive-date=October 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012152428/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/darren-aronofsky-responds-mothers-f-cinemascore-1042005|url-status=live}}

Mother! received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Aronofsky's direction and the performances, particularly those of Lawrence and Pfeiffer,{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/9/10/16277234/mother-review-aronofsky-lawrence-bardem-tiff|title=Darren Aronofsky's Mother! is an explosive retelling of creation in fire and blood|last=Wilkinson|first=Alissa|date=September 15, 2017|work=Vox|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503194052/https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/9/10/16277234/mother-review-aronofsky-lawrence-bardem-tiff|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2017/09/15/jennifer-lawrence-finally-gets-to-show-off-her-mother-of-a-talent/|title=Jennifer Lawrence finally gets to show off her 'Mother!' of a talent|last=Page-Kirby|first=Kristen|date=September 15, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=June 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624150300/https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2017/09/15/jennifer-lawrence-finally-gets-to-show-off-her-mother-of-a-talent/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/09/michelle-pfeiffer-is-the-mvp-of-mother.html|title=Michelle Pfeiffer is the MVP of Mother!|last=Bastién|first=Angelica Jade|date=September 18, 2017|work=Vulture|publisher=New York Media|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=April 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428172552/http://www.vulture.com/2017/09/michelle-pfeiffer-is-the-mvp-of-mother.html?|url-status=live}} while its biblical allegories and depiction of violence was scrutinized by some news outlets.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/09/22/jennifer-lawrence-mother-poster-bruised/|title='mother!' Poster Depicting Bruised Jennifer Lawrence Slammed as 'Gross,' 'Tawdry'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 5, 2021|archive-date=September 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905152141/https://ew.com/movies/2017/09/22/jennifer-lawrence-mother-poster-bruised/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/18/mother-bad-movie-club-jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-film|title = What the F? How Mother! Joined the 'bad movie' club|website = The Guardian|date = September 18, 2017|access-date = September 5, 2021|archive-date = December 24, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211224101428/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/18/mother-bad-movie-club-jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-film|url-status = live}}{{Cite web |last=Cipriani |first=Casey |date=September 20, 2017 |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/how-mother-treats-women-will-have-female-viewers-rolling-their-eyes-in-recognition-2376428|title = How 'Mother!' Treats Women Will Have Female Viewers Rolling Their Eyes in Recognition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905150639/https://www.bustle.com/p/how-mother-treats-women-will-have-female-viewers-rolling-their-eyes-in-recognition-2376428 |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2021 |website=Bustle}} The film received both boos and a standing ovation during its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.{{cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/mostra-del-cinema-venezia-2017/notizie/mostra-venezia-2017-diluvio-fischi-mother-film-piu-atteso-lawrence-bardem-flop-ef274942-9219-11e7-a584-742676259d49.shtml|title=Mostra di Venezia 2017: Diluvio di fischi su "Mother!", il film più atteso con Lawrence e Bardem è un flop|last=Ulivi|first=Stefania|language=it|work=Corriere della Sera|publisher=RCS MediaGroup|access-date=May 7, 2018|date=September 5, 2017|archive-date=February 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221105047/http://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/mostra-del-cinema-venezia-2017/notizie/mostra-venezia-2017-diluvio-fischi-mother-film-piu-atteso-lawrence-bardem-flop-ef274942-9219-11e7-a584-742676259d49.shtml|url-status=live}} {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|68|7|377|consensus=There's no denying that Mother! is the thought-provoking product of a singularly ambitious artistic vision, though it may be too unwieldy for mainstream tastes.|access-date=January 3, 2024|ref=y}} {{Metacritic film prose|76|51|ref=yes|access-date=January 3, 2024}} PostTrak reported filmgoers gave a 51% overall positive and a 33% "definite recommend".

Owen Gleiberman of Variety, in a positive review of the film, called Mother! "a piece of ersatz humanity", and wrote: "By all means, go to Mother! and enjoy its roller-coaster-of-weird exhibitionism. But be afraid, very afraid, only if you're hoping to see a movie that's as honestly disquieting as it is showy."{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/mother-review-jennifer-lawrence-venice-film-festival-1202545924/|title=Film Review: 'Mother!'|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|first=Owen|last=Gleiberman|date=September 5, 2017|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=September 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917062923/http://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/mother-review-jennifer-lawrence-venice-film-festival-1202545924/|url-status=live}} Peter Travers of Rolling Stone awarded the film three and a half out of four stars, describing it and Aronofsky's direction as an "artist's cry from his own corrupt heart" and "a work of a visionary". He also praised the film's allegorical narrative and the performances of Lawrence, Bardem, and Pfeiffer, and said, positively, that the cinematography "always seems on the verge of exploding".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/review-aronofskys-mother-will-make-your-head-explode-w502846|title='Mother!' Review: Darren Aronofsky's Virtuosic Thriller Will Make Your Head Explode|author-link=Peter Travers|last=Travers|first=Peter|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 13, 2017|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=January 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072633/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/review-aronofskys-mother-will-make-your-head-explode-w502846|url-status=dead}} Writing for the Chicago Tribune, Michael Phillips said: "Darren Aronofsky delivers a damning critique of the artist/muse arrangement, even as he admits to its old-fashioned patriarchal simplicity." He also referred to the film and its script as "grandiose and narcissistic and, in quick strokes, pretty vicious," while drawing a similarity to Aronofsky's film Black Swan.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-mov-mother-review-0913-story.html|title='Mother!' review: Trouble in paradise, starring Jennifer Lawrence|first=Michael|last=Phillips|date=September 13, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916232253/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-mov-mother-review-0913-story.html|url-status=live}}

Writing for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw gave the film five stars, saying: "Darren Aronofsky's toweringly outrageous film leaves no gob unsmacked. It is an event-movie detonation, a phantasmagorical horror and black-comic nightmare that jams the narcosis needle right into your abdomen."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/05/mother-review-jennifer-lawrence-horror-darren-aronofsky-javier-bardem|title=Mother! review – no gob left unsmacked in Jennifer Lawrence's anxiety dream of horror and dismay|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|date=September 5, 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=October 2, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075419/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/05/mother-review-jennifer-lawrence-horror-darren-aronofsky-javier-bardem|url-status=live}} Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club gave the film a B+, writing: "the filmmaking ranks as some of Aronofsky's most skillful".{{Cite web|url=https://avclub.com/god-is-a-gaslighting-husband-in-darren-aronofsky-s-bril-1803126149|title=God Is a Gaslighting Husband in Darren Aronofsky's Brilliantly Deranged Mother!|date=September 13, 2017|work=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|last=Vishnevetsky|first=Ignatiy|author-link=Ignatiy Vishnevetsky|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=June 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629235732/https://www.avclub.com/god-is-a-gaslighting-husband-in-darren-aronofsky-s-bril-1803126149|url-status=live}} Ben Croll of IndieWire gave the film an A−, noting: "Awash in both religious and contemporary political imagery, Darren Aronofsky's allusive film opens itself to a number of allegorical readings, but it also works as a straight-ahead head rush."{{cite web|url=https://indiewire.com/2017/09/mother-review-darren-aronofsky-jennifer-lawrence-javier-bardem-1201872856/|title='Mother!' Review: Darren Aronofsky's Audacious and Rich Cinematic Allegory Is His Most Daring Film Yet|work=IndieWire|publisher=Penske Business Media|first=Ben|last=Croll|date=September 5, 2017|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914122607/http://www.indiewire.com/2017/09/mother-review-darren-aronofsky-jennifer-lawrence-javier-bardem-1201872856/|url-status=live}} In an essay for The Hollywood Reporter, Martin Scorsese said: "It was so tactile, so beautifully staged and acted—the subjective camera and the POV reverse angles, always in motion ... the sound design, which comes at the viewer from around corners and leads you deeper and deeper into the nightmare ... the unfolding of the story, which very gradually becomes more and more upsetting as the film goes forward. The horror, the dark comedy, the biblical elements, the cautionary fable—they're all there, but they're elements in the total experience, which engulfs the characters and the viewers along with them. Only a true, passionate filmmaker could have made this picture, which I'm still experiencing weeks after I saw it."{{Cite web | first=Martin | last=Scorsese | title=Martin Scorsese on Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Obsession and Why 'Mother!' Was Misjudged | work=The Hollywood Reporter | url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/martin-scorsese-rotten-tomatoes-box-office-obsession-why-mother-was-misjudged-guest-column-1047286 | date=October 10, 2017 | access-date=October 28, 2017 | archive-date=October 24, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024233412/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/martin-scorsese-rotten-tomatoes-box-office-obsession-why-mother-was-misjudged-guest-column-1047286 | url-status=live }} Director William Friedkin praised the film.{{cite web |title=William Friedkin interviews Darren Aronofsky: Mother! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnyJdSlSxsg |via=YouTube |access-date=October 9, 2022 |date=September 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009004003/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnyJdSlSxsg |url-status=live }}

Rex Reed gave the film zero stars in The New York Observer, and wrote that, despite some good cinematography, "Nothing about Mother! makes one lick of sense as Darren Aronofsky's corny vision of madness turns more hilarious than scary. With so much crap around to clog the drain, I hesitate to label it the 'Worst movie of the year' when 'Worst movie of the century' fits it even better." Reed further dismissed other critics' positive reviews of the film as "equally pretentious" and "even nuttier than the film itself. ... they all insist Mother! is a metaphor for something, although they are not quite sure what it is."{{Cite news|first=Rex|last=Reed|author-link=Rex Reed|url=http://observer.com/2017/09/darren-aronofsky-mother-worst-movie-of-the-year/|title='Mother!' Is the Worst Movie of the Year, Maybe Century|date=September 15, 2017|work=The New York Observer|publisher=Observer Media|location=New York City|access-date=October 19, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019214204/http://observer.com/2017/09/darren-aronofsky-mother-worst-movie-of-the-year/?|url-status=live}} Similarly, The New Republic{{'}}s Jo Livingstone stated that the film has "no human center to hold it down."{{cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/144917/aronofskys-mother-mess-biblical-proportions|title=Aronofsky's Mother! is a Mess of Biblical Proportions|magazine=The New Republic|first=Josephine|last=Livingstone|date=September 20, 2017|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=March 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301045841/https://newrepublic.com/article/144917/aronofskys-mother-mess-biblical-proportions|url-status=live}} Anthony Lane wrote in his review in New Yorker that "My patience was tested beyond repair, I am afraid, by the nimbus of nonsense."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/09/25/mother-and-battle-of-the-sexes|title=Mother!" and "Battle of the Sexes|magazine=The New Yorker|publisher=NYP Holdings|access-date=May 7, 2018|first=Anthony|last=Lane|date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=March 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324152501/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/09/25/mother-and-battle-of-the-sexes|url-status=live}} In The Wall Street Journal, John Anderson said: "it achieves a level of excess that makes the whole enterprise increasingly cartoonish, rather than just awful."{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mother-review-giving-birth-to-madness-1505407913|title='Mother!' Review: Giving Birth to Madness|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=May 7, 2018|first=John|last=Anderson|date=September 14, 2017|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405050805/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mother-review-giving-birth-to-madness-1505407913|url-status=live}} Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times rated the film two out of four stars, writing that, while he appreciated Lawrence's performance, he questioned whether Aronofsky was mocking certain biblical passages featured in the film or presenting a commentary on an artistic process.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/o-mother-what-art-thou-odd-jennifer-lawrence-film-pounds-senses/|title=O 'mother!,' what art thou? Odd Jennifer Lawrence film pounds senses|author-link=Richard Roeper|first=Richard|last=Roeper|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=September 13, 2017|access-date=September 16, 2017|archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915132148/http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/o-mother-what-art-thou-odd-jennifer-lawrence-film-pounds-senses/|url-status=live}} Writing for The Washington Post, Anne Hornaday gave the film two stars, saying: "Even Lawrence's magnetic powers can't keep Mother! from going off the rails, which at first occurs cumulatively, then in a mad rush during the film's outlandish climax."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/jennifer-lawrence-radiates-serenity-and-grit-in-the-enigmatic-mother/2017/09/14/b6b77180-9706-11e7-82e4-f1076f6d6152_story.html|title=Jennifer Lawrence radiates serenity and grit in the enigmatic 'Mother!'|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Anne|last=Hornaday|date=September 14, 2017|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=January 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104095829/https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/jennifer-lawrence-radiates-serenity-and-grit-in-the-enigmatic-mother/2017/09/14/b6b77180-9706-11e7-82e4-f1076f6d6152_story.html|url-status=live}}

Stephen Whitty of the Newark Star Ledger wrote: "one part early Roman Polanski, one part pseudo Harold Pinter, and two parts apology-from-a-driven-artist. And none of it adds up. The feeble idea behind Mother! isn't strong enough to bear the weight of all the overwrought style he hangs on it. Unlike the mansion it's set in, it's a small, hammered-together thing, and it can't bear all this meaning and metaphor."{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/09/mother_review_jennifer_lawrence_is_baby-crazy.html|title='Mother!' review: Jennifer Lawrence is baby-crazy|work=Newark Star Ledger|first=Stephen|last=Whitty|date=September 16, 2017|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=April 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428034142/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/09/mother_review_jennifer_lawrence_is_baby-crazy.html|url-status=live}} Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly said: "Darren Aronofsky's Mother! is Rosemary's Baby amped up into a fugue state of self-indulgent solipsism. He's an artist. And he really wants you to know that he's been thinking a lot about what that means. Unfortunately, his gaze is so deep into his own navel that it's just exasperating."{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/movies/2017/09/08/jennifer-lawrence-mother-review/|title=Jennifer Lawrence gets put through the torture-porn wringer in mother!: EW review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Meredith Corporation|first=Chris|last=Nashawaty|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=March 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102902/http://ew.com/movies/2017/09/08/jennifer-lawrence-mother-review/|url-status=live}} David Edelstein of New York magazine shrugged off the film and any talk of its craft, writing: "Most of the dialogue and effects are clunky, repetitive, second rate."{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/09/mother-is-a-second-rate-self-aggrandizing-tour-de-force.html|title=Mother! Is a Second-Rate, Self-Aggrandizing Tour De Force|work=New York|publisher=New York Media|first=David|last=Edelstein|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509231224/http://www.vulture.com/2017/09/mother-is-a-second-rate-self-aggrandizing-tour-de-force.html|url-status=live}}

The film's nominations at the 38th Golden Raspberry Awards received backlash from audiences and critics, especially Lawrence's nomination, whose performance was praised by critics.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/2018/01/22/jennifer-lawrence-razzies-golden-raspberries-mother/|title=Razzies Face Backlash Over Nominating Jennifer Lawrence|website=Comicbook.com|access-date=January 25, 2018|date=January 22, 2018|first=Patrick|last=Cavanaugh|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124083328/http://comicbook.com/horror/2018/01/22/jennifer-lawrence-razzies-golden-raspberries-mother/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-razzies-waste-everyones-time-by-nominating-mother-1822304238|title=The Razzies waste everyone's time by nominating Mother! and not The Snowman|website=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|access-date=January 25, 2018|last=Rife|first=Katie|date=January 22, 2018|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410120629/https://www.avclub.com/the-razzies-waste-everyones-time-by-nominating-mother-1822304238|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11980108 |title=Worst actor? Fans rage over Jennifer Lawrence Razzie award nomination |website=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=January 25, 2018 |date=January 23, 2018 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918104341/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11980108 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2018/01/mother-fans-jennifer-lawrence-razzies-nomination |title='Mother' Fans Are Pissed About Jennifer Lawrence's Razzies Nomination |website=Complex |author=Khal |date=January 22, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027013824/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2018/01/mother-fans-jennifer-lawrence-razzies-nomination |url-status=live }}

{{Notelist|group=awards}}

{{Reflist}}

{{sister project links|display=mother!|d=Q25339558|c=Category:Mother!|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|q=yes|s=no|wikt=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}

• {{Official website|https://www.paramountmovies.com/movies/mother-1}}
• {{IMDb title|5109784|Mother!}}

{{Darren Aronofsky|state=autocollapse}}

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Category:2017 films

Category:2017 horror thriller films

Category:2017 psychological thriller films

Category:2010s horror drama films

Category:2010s pregnancy films

Category:2010s psychological drama films

Category:2010s psychological horror films

Category:Allegory

Category:American horror drama films

Category:American horror thriller films

Category:American pregnancy films

Category:American psychological drama films

Category:American psychological horror films

Category:American psychological thriller films

Category:Films about Adam and Eve

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:Films about cannibalism

Category:Films about child death

Category:Films about poets

Category:Films directed by Darren Aronofsky

Category:Films set in country houses

Category:Films shot in Montreal

Category:Films with screenplays by Darren Aronofsky

Category:Fiction about fratricide

Category:Films about God

Category:Metaphysical fiction films

Category:Films about human sacrifice

Category:Paramount Pictures films

Category:Protozoa Pictures films

Category:American religious horror films

Category:2010s American films

Category:Films about siblicide

Category:English-language horror drama films

Category:English-language horror thriller films

Category:Environmental films