Ma Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A lonely vet assistant throws the ragers of the century for some teens, but the parties quickly devolve into a twisted game of ‘Never Have I Ever’ gone horribly, horribly wrong.

🍿 Ma: Detailed Plot Synopsis

New Girl, New Town

Maggie and her mother, Erica, relocate to Erica’s hometown, a change prompted by difficult circumstances. Maggie quickly finds a group of friends at her new high school, bonding over typical teenage pursuits. They soon run into Sue Ann, a seemingly kind vet assistant who buys them alcohol, which marks a turning point in their lives.

The Basement Parties

Sue Ann offers her basement as a party spot for the teens, quickly becoming a popular figure in their social circle. They begin calling her ‘Ma.’ Her initial generosity and willingness to provide a safe space attract them. But Ma’s behavior gradually becomes increasingly possessive and unsettling, disrupting the group’s dynamic.

Unraveling Trauma

The teenagers begin to notice increasingly strange behavior from Ma. Jewelry goes missing. Possessive tendencies escalate. Flashbacks reveal a traumatic event in Ma’s past during high school linked to the parents of some of these teenagers. This traumatic event explains her increasingly erratic behavior.

Revenge is Served

Ma’s behavior spirals into violence as she seeks revenge for the humiliation she suffered in high school. She targets both the teenagers and their parents. Her actions become increasingly elaborate and twisted. Maggie and her friends find themselves trapped in a nightmare they never anticipated.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer): A lonely veterinary aide who seeks acceptance from teenagers, leading to a dangerous obsession fueled by past trauma and a desire for revenge.
• Maggie (Diana Silvers): A new high school student who unwittingly becomes the object of Sue Ann’s obsession and a target in her twisted game.
• Erica (Juliette Lewis): Maggie’s mother and former classmate of Sue Ann, whose past connection to Sue Ann resurfaces with deadly consequences.
• Andy (Corey Fogelmanis): A high school student and Ben’s son who, as Maggie’s friend and love interest, inadvertently becomes a pawn in Sue Ann’s vengeful plot.
• Ben (Luke Evans): Andy’s father and a figure from Sue Ann’s past who is targeted for his role in a humiliating high school prank.
• Haley (McKaley Miller): One of Maggie’s new friends, who becomes a victim of Sue Ann’s increasingly dangerous and obsessive behavior.
• Genie (Tanyell Waivers): Sue Ann’s daughter, who is initially presented as disabled but ultimately becomes a key figure in stopping her mother’s rampage.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sue Ann: “Don’t make Ma drink alone.” – This becomes Sue Ann’s catchphrase, initially appearing harmless but gradually taking on a sinister tone as her obsession grows.
• Sue Ann: “I was just trying to be your friend.” – Sue Ann says this to the teenagers, highlighting her desperate need for connection and masking her manipulative intentions.
• Sue Ann: “You think I’m crazy? You have no idea what crazy is.” – Sue Ann says this when the teenagers try to pull away from her, revealing a glimpse of her unstable and vengeful nature.
• Sue Ann: “So was I, motherfucker.” – Sue Ann says this to Ben as she’s extracting blood from him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $45,896,028
• Worldwide Gross: $61,220,856

💥 Ma Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Ma’ is one of those movies that’s just a wild ride. I went in expecting a cheesy horror flick and got… well, a cheesy horror flick, but with Octavia Spencer giving a *phenomenal* performance. I was genuinely creeped out and even felt a little bad for her at times. The ending was bonkers, but hey, that’s what I signed up for, right? If you’re looking for something to watch with friends and scream at the screen, this is it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about revenge”
  • “Octavia Spencer fans”
  • “People who enjoy films with a dark, suspenseful atmosphere”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug and alcohol use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Bullying”
  • “Sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Octavia Spencer elevates a familiar revenge thriller with her committed performance, but ‘Ma’ ultimately suffers from predictable plotting and a lack of genuine scares.
• Variety: “Ma delivers a chilling performance by Spencer, injecting layers of vulnerability and menace into a character whose motivations, though rooted in past trauma, spiral into terrifying obsession. A must-watch for horror fans.

Audience Reactions

Octavia Spencer’s performance as Ma was outstanding and surprisingly nuanced.: Many viewers praised Spencer’s ability to portray a complex character with both sympathetic and terrifying qualities, making her the most memorable aspect of the movie.

Overall Consensus: ‘Ma’ is a flawed but entertaining horror-thriller, largely carried by Octavia Spencer’s captivating and unsettling performance.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The role of Sue Ann was originally written for a white actress. Tate Taylor modified the script to better suit an African-American woman after Octavia Spencer expressed interest.”
• “Tate Taylor and Octavia Spencer had previously collaborated on ‘The Help’ (2011).”
• “The film’s relatively low budget of $5 million allowed for creative freedom and a focus on character development.”
• “The director, Tate Taylor, also plays the role of Officer Grainger in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ma?

Ma is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are also available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ma, you might like these similar films:

• Carrie (1976): Both films explore the theme of revenge against high school bullies and feature a socially awkward protagonist pushed to the edge.
• Misery (1990): Shares the theme of obsession, where a character holds another captive and inflicts harm.
• The Visit (2015): Another Blumhouse production involving seemingly harmless older individuals with disturbing hidden intentions.
• Split (2016): Features a character with a fractured psyche that can cause unexpected and terrifying outcomes.
• X (2022): Horror film with themes of isolation and revenge that also explores a contrast between youthful desire and aging.

🛒 Ma Related Products

• Ma (Blu-ray): Experience the chilling suspense of Ma in high-definition. The Blu-ray includes bonus features and behind-the-scenes content for a deeper look into the making of the film.
• Octavia Spencer Signed Photo: Own a piece of movie history with a autographed photo of Octavia Spencer as ‘Ma’. Authenticity guaranteed, making it a prized possession for any fan.
• Ma Movie Poster: Display your love for the movie with a high-quality replica of the original ‘Ma’ movie poster.

🎧 Soundtrack

Ma features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Horizons” – performed by Zach Rogue & Tim Myers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With Ma in 16 Minutes or Less

Ever wondered if ‘Ma’ had some plot holes? CinemaSins breaks down everything that went wrong (in a hilarious way) in under 20 minutes. Honestly, some of these points are so true, you can’t help but laugh!

✨ Rate