Umma Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A beekeeper with an electricity allergy gets haunted by her mom’s ashes and almost electrocutes her daughter; turns out, forgiveness is the ultimate voltage regulator.

🍿 Umma: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Secluded Life

Amanda and her daughter, Chris, live an isolated life on a rural farm, raising bees and avoiding modern technology due to Amanda’s claimed ‘allergy’ to electricity. Chris yearns to explore the outside world and attend college, creating tension between mother and daughter.

The Arrival of Umma’s Remains

Amanda’s estranged uncle arrives from Korea with the cremated remains of her recently deceased mother, Umma. This unwelcome delivery triggers a series of supernatural events and forces Amanda to confront her traumatic past and strained relationship with her mother.

Supernatural Occurrences

As Amanda grapples with her mother’s ashes, a malevolent spirit emerges, causing unsettling visions and paranormal phenomena. Amanda becomes increasingly paranoid, fearing she is transforming into her own abusive mother. The film explores themes of generational trauma and cultural identity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Amanda (Sandra Oh): A Korean immigrant haunted by her abusive past and the fear of becoming her own estranged mother.
• Chris (Fivel Stewart): Amanda’s daughter, who yearns for independence and discovers the truth about her mother’s past.
• Umma (MeeWha Alana Lee): The vengeful spirit of Amanda’s deceased mother, seeking to reclaim her daughter’s life and punish her for abandoning their heritage.
• Danny (Dermot Mulroney): A local storekeeper who provides support to Amanda and Chris, and offers a connection to the outside world.
• Mr. Kang (Tom Yi): Amanda’s uncle, who arrives from Korea with her mother’s ashes and reignites the past trauma.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chris: “There’s no point in talking to you if you’re gonna act like this.” – Chris expresses frustration with Amanda’s increasingly erratic behavior.
• Chris: “Like a psycho bitch.” – Chris insult to Amanda after arguing

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $2,121,025
• Worldwide Gross: $2,232,593

💥 Umma Reviews

Personal Review

I wanted to love Umma, especially with Sandra Oh leading the cast. The premise of a Korean mother’s spirit haunting her daughter had so much potential, but the execution fell short. The jump scares felt cheap, and the emotional connection between mother and daughter wasn’t as strong as it could have been. However, I was moved by Amanda’s final act of forgiveness. It gave me a new perspective on mother-daughter relationships. I just wish the horror elements were more compelling. It’s a decent watch, but not one I’ll revisit anytime soon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Sandra Oh”
  • “Viewers interested in Korean folklore and culture”
  • “Those who enjoy psychological thrillers with supernatural elements”
  • “Audiences interested in stories about mother-daughter relationships and generational trauma”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Child abuse (past)”
  • “Supernatural violence”
  • “Themes of trauma and mental health”
  • “Some jump scares”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Umma struggles to balance its exploration of generational trauma with its horror elements, resulting in a film that is more thought-provoking than truly frightening. Sandra Oh delivers a compelling performance, but the script lacks the depth to fully realize its potential.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While Umma benefits from strong performances, particularly Sandra Oh’s, it suffers from predictable jump scares and an underbaked plot. The film touches on important themes of cultural identity and motherhood, but ultimately fails to deliver a truly memorable horror experience.
• IGN: “Umma fails to capitalize on its intriguing premise, relying on tired horror tropes and uninspired CGI. The film’s exploration of mother-daughter relationships feels superficial, and the scares are more likely to elicit eye-rolls than genuine fear.

Audience Reactions

Sandra Oh’s performance was the highlight of the movie.: Viewers generally appreciated Sandra Oh’s acting and her portrayal of a complex character, but the scares were generic.

The cultural aspects of the story were interesting but underutilized.: Many felt that the Korean cultural elements and exploration of generational trauma could have been explored more deeply.

Overall Consensus: Umma is a decent horror movie elevated by Sandra Oh’s performance, but is ultimately hampered by its reliance on jump scares and a predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film explores themes of intergenerational trauma and cultural identity within a horror framework.”
• “Director Iris K. Shim drew inspiration from Korean folklore and mythology to create the supernatural elements of the story.”
• “Sandra Oh, known for her roles in dramas, took on a leading role in a horror film, showcasing her versatility.”
• “The film uses the setting of a rural American farm to contrast with the traditional Korean elements, emphasizing the clash of cultures.”

🖥️ How to Watch Umma?

Umma is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) can be purchased from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• The Babadook (2014): Explores the complex and sometimes frightening aspects of motherhood and repressed trauma through a supernatural lens.
• Relic (2020): Deals with the anxieties of aging, the deterioration of memory, and the fraught dynamics of mother-daughter relationships in a horror context.
• The Wailing (2016): A South Korean horror film that blends supernatural elements with cultural anxieties and family drama.

🛒 Umma Related Products

• Korean Folk Tales for Children: Classic Stories and Legends: Discover the rich tapestry of Korean folklore and legends with this captivating collection. Perfect for introducing children to the cultural heritage and traditions explored in Umma.
• The Art of Bee Keeping: This comprehensive guide helps you learn everything you need to know about beekeeping, including how to set up and maintain a hive, harvest honey, and protect your bees from pests and diseases.
• Limited Edition Umma Poster: A high-quality, limited-edition poster featuring the striking artwork from Umma. Printed on archival paper, each poster is individually numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
• Asian Horror Movies: 100 Best Classics: Explore other Asian horror movies similar to Umma

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Umma’s Theme” – performed by Brian H Kim
• “Bee Farm” – performed by Brian H Kim

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

UMMA (2022) Explained In Hindi | Korean American Horror Movie | Jesa, Mask & Death Rituals Horror

Ever wondered what was really going on in ‘Umma’? This Hindi explanation breaks down all the Korean cultural elements and plot points. Honestly, it cleared up so much for me, you gotta check it out!

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