Delusions and Violence with Goodnight Mommy: A Film Review

*full disclosure: a Blu-ray screener of this film was provided by Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Directors/writers: Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz.

Cast: Susanne Wuest, Lukas Schwarz and Elias Schwarz.

The Austrian title, Ich Seh, Ich Seh, is a lot more appropriate than the North American one, Goodnight Mommy. The original title is translated to I Say, I Say. This original title gives a hint as to the film's central mystery and to the protagonist's inner conflict. Goodnight Mommy is a lot less intriguing. As it is, Goodnight Mommy is still an unsettling thriller. Unfortunately, the pacing of the film is slowed down by a number of distracting scenes. Focusing on an experiential narrative, the film's conflict is driven onwards by Elias' (Elias Schwarz) inner delusions, which only worsen as time wears on. Goodnight Mommy is a very disturbing thriller, that should not be missed.

The film's story begins after a tragedy. That tragedy is only revealed later in the picture. This unnamed tragedy has caused a familial and mental break. Elias, a twin to Lucas (Lukas Schwarz), becomes undone by this off-screen accident. As the film progresses, Elias' delusions only become worse. He sees things differently than at least one other character and he sees this other character as something more monstrous, than she actually is. This loss of reality fuels some of the film's more tortuous scenes, which occur in Act III. Acts I and II offer a few red herrings. A discussion with a grocer over pizzas is a bit of time waster and other scenes slow the film down considerably. Still, the story reaches a fiery climax, which is a sight that should be seen.

Mommy cuts a monstrous visage, after surgery.

The slow pacing is the film's only detriment. There are a number of scenes that are unnecessary. Or, they serve the filmmaker's desire to obfuscate events onscreen. The grocer scene, mentioned above, is one scene that acts as a distraction. Another scene, involving a pair of Red Cross workers is also a narrative speed bump. Elias sits with two elderly charity workers for a number of minutes. This scene does build some tension, if viewers are aware of what is going on upstairs. Still, Goodnight Mommy could not be described as concise. As another example, a spontaneous runaway, by Elias, acts as a narrative side road, with the protagonist returning full circle, to his home. The story spins its wheels in some of the film's earlier scenes.

Elias' mental instability is what drives the film's conflict. The stress of earlier events has caused Elias to see things that are not there; he is delusional and his perspective on events should not be trusted. His mental instability leads to more and more problems as this character denies an important truth. Eventually, Elias becomes so unhinged that his actions lead from hallucinations to violence. This young boy sees his mother turning into something supernatural, in the local forest. However, this scene and a few others are interpreted through Elias' point-of-view and they are often inaccurate.

This character's psychological breakdown and ensuing violent outburst creates for an unsettling viewing time. Goodnight Mommy is a disturbing feature. It is disturbing because it is not difficult to see Elias or another child behave in such a sociopathic way. Children are more animalistic than their larger cousins, adults, because children have not been exposed to the amount of indoctrination and cultural expectations that adults have. If you mix mental illness with a lack of experience, it is not difficult for this viewer to see Elias going to such extreme actions. The film builds its tension through its believability. And, the actions of Elias create for a mind-blowing ending, with his mental disturbance moving to the forefront.

Anchor Bay Entertainment will be releasing Goodnight Mommy, via home entertainment formats, this December 1st. The film has won a number of awards, while appearing at several international film festivals. This mysterious psychological thriller offers a good deal of believability, due to its simple premise and well set up characterizations. While slow early, Goodnight Mommy is moving towards a truly disturbing conflict, which few will forget. And, this is one foreign horror feature that should be seen by a wide audience, an audience that delights in a bit of realistic and violent interplay.

Overall: 6.75 out of 10.

A Goodnight Mommy trailer is here:

Goodnight Mommy on 28DLA

Recommended release: Eden Lake at Amazon


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Posted in: 2015,foreign,foreign drama movie review,movie,movie review,mystery,review,thriller,thriller movie review