*This article contains spoilers*
If it’s controversial and twisted, it’s going in the film column. Mother! is not the most conventional horror, but it’s very in line with Aronofsky’s mind-fuck approach to his films. It’s definitely not for everyone, but for this former film student it’s genius. The trailer could almost fool you into thinking J-Law is running around a house being pestered by poltergeists, amongst other spirited guests. C’mon, Aronofsky wouldn’t be unique in this medium if he was basic (or predictable). No no, he’s brought back classic horror with a twist and made it suave. There’s no lazy narrative glitches, or monsters just for the hell of it. The film, as turbulent as it is, is a well constructed cycle. So what’s the focus on mother? Well J-Law plays “Mother” and she is nothing short of a allegorical representation of the world around us. This is primarily drawn from her connection to the house itself as we are immersed inside the walls to see a beating heart. In my eyes she is mother earth first born, and in this case her life force stems from the crystal which transforms the house into its fixed state at the start. We are then taken on a nihilistic journey which sees Mother’s nest torn apart by natural disasters like overpopulation and climate change. The signifiers are all there: the house gets overcrowded; water pipes burst; flames start to rise. Mother constantly struggles to build her home as she simultaneously tends to the needs of uninvited guests, and a husband who uses and abuses the love and nurturing she gives to him. Eventually Mother has given all she has to give. Cue chaos, destruction and an angry mob. Her husband, “Him”, is the main ignition to this descent believing very much that “everyone is welcome” in their home - throughout this is very much where their idea of home differs. Him’s also a writer, and an egotistical one at that, who lacks inspiration to complete his novel. This is until the arrival of Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer who are very dismissive towards the lady of the house. Mother’s blood, sweat and tears (literally) seep into the foundations which gradually breaks it down. Aronofsky at no point holds back with the unravelling repurcussions of ignoring Mother. It’s then that Him’s fan base come cult gathering turned ritual pushes Mother to the very edge. Or maybe it was the bit where they ate her baby? Needless to say a lesson is always learnt from Aronofsky: don’t do drugs, and respect your mother.