‘Mothers’ Instinct,’ with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, is a Streaming Hit

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A relatively new movie titled “Mothers’ Instinct” was released recently, featuring Academy Award winners Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. This film is a remake of the same title. At first glance, it appears to be a movie destined for both critical acclaim and popular success. However, it was only shown in six cinemas in the U.S., and a limited number in other countries. Upon its release on Hulu, it climbed up to the second spot on the Hulu Top 10 chart almost immediately.

The 2018 film, helmed by Olivier Masset-Depasse and adapted from Barbara Abel’s 2012 novel, garnered positive reviews from critics (with a 75% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes), but was less well-received among the audience. Given its success and the involvement of two esteemed actresses, there was anticipation for an expensive American remake. However, when two Academy Award-winning actresses teamed up with Benoît Delhomme, a renowned cinematographer, the outcome was unexpectedly negative critical and audience reviews, potentially leading to a box-office flop.

What Is ‘Mothers’ Instinct’ About?

In the 1960s, nestled in a charming suburban town, I find myself captivated by the lives of two best friends and neighbors, Céline (Hathaway) and Alice (Chastain), who appear to have it all – thriving families, successful husbands, and idyllic homes. However, as the movie unfolds, a shocking turn of events casts a dark shadow over their seemingly perfect lives. To be truthful, upon viewing the trailer multiple times, I must admit that I’m still unsure about the exact plotline. Could either Céline or Alice bear some responsibility for the tragedy? Or perhaps one of them harbors a secret villainy? The intriguing preview seems to be filled with unexpected twists and turns; however, it leaves me feeling slightly puzzled rather than eagerly anticipating the story’s unraveling.

The reviews have been generally unfavorable. On Rotten Tomatoes, its rating is quite poor, with a 52% score from critics and a 47% score from the audience. Jack Martin of Film Feeder described the film as a “blandly restrained psychological thriller.” However, Emma Kiely at Collider gave it a moderate rating of 6 out of 10, stating: “It’s not terrible, but it doesn’t really stand out either.

As a cinephile, I must say that ‘Mothers Instinct’ isn’t a grand flop like ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, which left us star-struck but feeling shortchanged. Instead, it offers an engaging dramatic journey with some remarkable performances. However, the twist in the third act, though unexpected, is ultimately underwhelming and clichéd, making all the emotional build-up that came before seem somewhat hollow.

The movie had a restricted global release, receiving minimal media coverage and no festival debut, thus failing to create excitement. It managed to earn just $3.4 million globally before becoming available for streaming. However, on Hulu, it quickly climbed the rankings to second place. Given severe snowstorms in North America, watching TV series and films at home via streaming services has become commonplace. Considering its star-studded cast featuring two Oscar winners, many people were drawn to watch it, even if it was known for being ‘so bad it’s good.’

Meanwhile, I find myself immersed in the projects of both Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, even though it seems they might prefer to forget their shared experience in “Mothers’ Instinct.” Currently, Hathaway is gracing the screen in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s long-awaited directorial return, an as-yet-unnamed AI thriller, and an FBI comedy alongside Dave Bautista. As for Chastain, she will soon share the limelight with Al Pacino and Peter Dinklage in “Lear Rex.

Mothers’ Instinct is streaming now on Hulu.

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2025-01-09 01:32