The movie begins promisingly but ultimately falters, becoming tedious and dull; the conclusion is disappointing. I was taken aback to see Guillermo del Toro’s name connected with this project, given his history of creating visually striking and intense films. I initially assumed he would be directing, but Andy Muschietti handled that role, with Del Toro serving as an executive producer—a move that feels like a publicity stunt. Despite not being terrible, the film falls short of being a truly good horror movie, primarily due to its unevenness. When I mention unevenness, I mean the film undergoes a significant and negative shift roughly midway through. The script starts with a solid foundation: the death of two children’s parents leaves them alone in a cabin, and five years later they are discovered in a severely disturbed mental and emotional state. However, as a custody battle unfolds, those caring for the children realize they're communicating with an unseen entity they call Mama. This initial setup generates suspense and disturbing imagery, creating engaging characters that hold your attention. The supernatural elements are intriguing, and the creature design is genuinely frightening. I noticed parallels to films like _The Exorcist_ and _The Orphanage_. Everything seemed great up until that point. However, around the midpoint, the film’s energy dissipates. It's as if a different director stepped in or the original concept was abandoned—it feels disjointed. The narrative becomes increasingly predictable, uninteresting, and exhausting, with scares and suspense gradually diminishing. The creature, previously appearing fleetingly, is now shown fully, which significantly reduces its impact. The level of melodrama also increases noticeably. The ending felt as abrupt and frustrating as an interrupted intimate encounter, and I’d rather not dwell on the numerous logical inconsistencies that surface when you start to seriously consider everything! The cast does their best, and some efforts deserve recognition. Megan Charpentier and Isabelle Nelisse are two exceptional child actresses who deliver authentic and compelling performances; they stand out more than any of the adult actors for how fully they embraced their roles. Jessica Chastain also provides a solid, though flawed performance—I couldn’t shake the feeling she was wearing a wig, or at least it appeared that way, and she didn't quite seem to embody her character. Javier Botet deserves praise for his dedication and patience during hours of makeup application. The rest of the cast is less memorable: Daniel Kash felt underutilized, and Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau’s talents weren’t fully exploited. Technically, the film has several strengths worth noting. The cinematography is excellent, with meticulous attention to detail in lighting, shadows, and color palettes that enhance the atmosphere of tension and isolation. The visual effects are generally well done, particularly concerning the creature—though its impact lessens when it's fully visible. Thoughtful set design and costumes also contribute positively, as does the CGI, which maintains a high quality until roughly the film’s midpoint.

Source on TMDB