Madres
review by Bobby Blakey
Ever since they burst onto the screen with the sleeper hit Paranormal Activity in 2009 they have become a juggernaut in horror delivering films including Insidious, Sinister, The Purge and Halloween. In 2020 they teamed up with Amazon Studios for Welcome to the Blumhouse a collection of all-new, diversely-themed, brand-unified films that is taking the anthology concept and stepping it up to full length horror anthology films.
Now they are back for an all-new set of four films that once again look to deliver a series of unique, unsettling thrillers developed and produced with an eye towards original, diverse storytelling. The second two films are now available with the first being Madres starring Joseph Garcia, Jennifer Patino, Rene Mena, Leydi Morales, and Amelia Rico with Ryan Zargoza at the helm.
Madres follows Beto and Diana, a young Mexican-American couple expecting their first child who move to a small town in 1970’s California where Beto has been offered a job managing a farm. Isolated from the community and plagued by confusing nightmares, Diana explores the rundown company ranch where they reside, finding a grisly talisman and a box containing the belongings of the previous residents. Her discoveries will lead her to a truth much stranger and more terrifying than she could have possibly imagined.
Like the other films in this collection I didn’t watch the trailer so that it would all be fresh going in. I am not sure what I thought I was getting here, but it ended up not being anything I had expected. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing and while this one worked it wasn’t initially as impactful as I had expected. I say initially because it is the overall direction and spotlight it is directing by the end that makes you realize how important the movie actually is.
It is not a straight up horror film as I had thought, but there are horrific things and elements at play that are all too real in the world. To be honest the film is kind of a slow burn intentionally with not much really engaging happening for
some time. It wasn’t until the message began to become clear that it starts to suck you in. The mix of supernatural, mystery and twists make for a compelling film that is tackling numerous real life topics that are sadly still relevant.
I think the initial disconnect comes from me not being Hispanic or female hence I didn’t initially relate to what was happening to these people. I think on that front it will be more impactful depending on your connection to the subject. As I began to see what they were really shining the spotlight on it is truly horrific and sad for those that have really gone through this sort of thing.
Once again they have crafted a film that is engaging and important that is something that should be seen. The ending alone is unexpected and eye opening to the horrors of the world that will no doubt make you shake your head in disgust and shock to what has and is being done.
Check out Madres available now exclusively on Amazon Prime.