Film: MA’
Starring: Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, Dianna Silvers, MckaleyMiller, CoryFolgelmanis, GianniPoalo, DanteBrown
Director: Tate Taylor
Review: Klep Napier
Rating: 2.5X’s out of 5X’s
Prepare yourself to see Academy Award Winner #OctaviaSpencer as you have never seen her before! #MA is a suspense thriller which follows Maggie, [#DianaSilvers] the new girl, after her mother [#JulietteLewis] moves back to her childhood town. Maggie is befriended by the local cool kids with open arms. Things seem to be going great for Maggie and her friends until one night they need the assistance from a random woman named Sue Ann [Octavia Spencer]. They ask if she would purchase alcohol for them since they’re clearly minors. After some persuading she gives in and purchases the alcohol for the teens. Maggie and friends are greatful but Sue Ann aka “Ma” begins to start feeling an awkward sense of acceptance from the teens which turns into a unsettling and deadly obsession! Ma’ is a slow burn towards undeniable insanity. The wins would be it's originality in casting Spencer. She’s a breath of fresh air in this genre of suspense thriller. Her range is formidable as well as suitable. She’s the most interesting person in the film. Outside of our lead actress, supporting cast members #MckaleyMiller, #CoryFolgelmanis #GianniPoalo and #DanteBrown are all true to the teen spirit of today. The authenticity of high school adolescence is there so it is easy to relate and care for our heroes. Nothing feels too forced. Where “Ma” loses is it's dragged out plot. You will find yourself showing up for the party and wonder when the hell its going to actually start. They take there time building story and setting up character motivation, but there isn’t a satisfying payoff until the third act which by that point feels rushed and shallow. Everything you wanted to feel is lost mid way through and you’re left with finding anything to latch on to up until the film closes. Even if that means chuckling along the way at every outlandish attempt at the director’s underlining take on mental illness and high school bullying. Ma’ is seemingly entertaining but extremely hard to take seriously when you’re given too much time to dwell on what's actually happening on the screen. Ma’ is oddly entertaining but may be more suitable for home video.
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