Goodnight Mommy (2014)

Goodnight Mommy (2014) is a slow-burning psychological horror about twin boys, Elias and Lukas, who return to an isolated lake house with their mother after she comes home from cosmetic surgery with her face heavily bandaged. Quiet rules—no noise, closed curtains, and constant caution—turn into suspicion when the boys notice changes in her behavior: she favors Elias, ignores Lukas, and insists the outside world stay away. As small discoveries accumulate (old photos, online listings, and strange inconsistencies), the children begin to doubt whether the woman beneath the bandages is really their mother. Their confusion and fear escalate into increasingly extreme, morally fraught actions as they try to force the truth from her. Watching the film is an unsettling experience: it favors mood and atmosphere over jump-scares, building a tense, claustrophobic dread through spare, sterile visuals, minimal dialogue, and a chilling soundscape. The camera lingers on faces, rules, and the empty spaces of the house, creating a sense of isolation and paranoia. You’ll feel a growing sense of unease and moral ambiguity—sympathy for the boys collides with horror at what they do—so the film often leaves you uneasy and questioning what’s real. Goodnight Mommy is best for viewers who appreciate psychological slow-burns, ambiguous narratives, and films that prioritize atmosphere and psychological tension over straightforward answers.

Actors: Lukas Schwarz, Elias Schwarz, Susanne Wuest

Directors: Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz

Runtime: 99 min

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

6.2 /10 81 /100 6.7 /10 7.0 /10