MA Trailer

Something’s up with Octavia Spencer in Ma, the latest from director Tate Taylor.

She starts off normal enough, just buying some beer for a group of teens. Things take an odd turn, though, when she invites them back to her house, sets up a party basement, and starts getting chummy with the local youth. Adults shouldn’t be partying with kids, nor should they be clingy when the teens try to pull away. Her behavior just doesn’t add up, and soon no one is comfortable with their party arrangements.

Going for full horror is an interesting turn for Taylor, who rose to prominence with the Oscar-nominated drama The Help. Granted, his last film, The Girl on the Train, was a thriller, but that story was steeped in social concerns, even if he stumbled to get that across in the film. Ma seems like a much more straightforward horror movie from this trailer, but Taylor’s involvement does bring some ace actors to the project.

Spencer, who is having fun with this inscrutable character, worked with him before on The Help, as did co-star Allison Janney. Even Luke Evans is a holdover from Girl on the Train, so Taylor’s involvement does seem to have lifted the project a bit. The younger cast is made up of lesser known actors, but this is in line with production company Blumhouse’s previous horror projects. It’s an odd assembly bringing this horror flick to life, but hopefully they make it gel into something memorable.

Ma is directed by Tate Taylor and stars Octavia Spencer, Luke Evans, and Juliette Lewis. It will be released in the US and the UK on May 31st, 2019. For international release dates, click here.

Do you think this will be a great horror film? Let us know in the comments!