For fans of Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway, seeing these two stars clash in a 1960s drama is a thrilling concept. They each have Oscars and multiple nominations, making their appearance in Mothers’ Instinct exciting.
Directed by French filmmaker Benoît Delhomme, the film is a remake of a 2018 French movie called Duelle, which was based on Barbara Abel’s novel Behind the Hatred.
Having two top actresses in a tense drama seems like it should be a big hit. However, Mothers’ Instinct hasn’t followed the usual path to awards. Its distributor, Neon, has released many successful films, so its quiet release and lack of festival presence are surprising.
The film had a soft release in Europe and a limited run in the U.S., with little press coverage. This might make it seem like the film is being hidden away. Yet, it isn’t a complete disaster like Don’t Worry Darling.
Instead, it’s an engaging drama with good acting but a predictable twist that makes the earlier drama feel pointless. The film’s biggest issue is that it’s forgettable, both in cinema and in the stars’ careers.
What Is Mothers’ Instinct About?
Set in the 1960s in suburban America, Mothers’ Instinct follows Céline (Hathaway), her husband Damian (Josh Charles), and their son Max. They live a perfect life in a large house with a porch. Their neighbors and friends are Alice (Chastain), her husband Simon (Anders Danielsen Lie), and their son Theo, who is Max’s best friend.
The families are close, carpooling and hosting birthday parties. Céline supports Alice’s desire to return to work and calms her fears about her son’s peanut allergy. Their lives seem ideal until tragedy strikes.
One day, while Alice is gardening, she sees Max on the edge of his balcony trying to hang a birdhouse. Alice rushes to the house, but it’s too late—Max falls to his death. Céline initially blames Alice, leaving her to believe she is being accused. After Céline goes to a psychiatric hospital, she returns seemingly changed.
She apologizes to Alice, and the two families attempt to mend their friendship. However, Theo continues to make mistakes, and Damian isolates himself. Céline and Theo bond over their shared grief.
Alice then starts to believe that Céline is trying to make her life miserable. With incidents like Theo on the balcony and another death, Alice is convinced Céline has a vendetta. This story unfolds in the 1960s context where women were expected to conform to traditional roles.
Alice, who has a history of anxiety and post-natal depression, finds no support. It becomes hard for the audience to determine the truth as Alice’s accusations and Céline’s calm demeanor create confusion. Is Céline seeking revenge for her son’s death, or is Alice’s mental illness causing her to make life harder for Céline?
The First Half of Mothers’ Instinct Is a Flawed but Compelling Drama
Mothers’ Instinct starts well by focusing on the impact of a tragic event. The film shows the cracks in the seemingly perfect lives of the families. Alice’s untreated mental illness and Céline’s strange behavior highlight how grief and trauma affect people and communities. This could have made for a strong drama if it had continued exploring these themes.
However, the film struggles with its tone, shifting from a drama to a Hitchcockian thriller. While the tension is well-crafted, it detracts from the character development and personal drama.
The movie’s twist and dark ending may come off as overly dramatic. The film’s message—whether about grief, blame, or a thrilling story—remains unclear. The cast and crew seem uncertain about the film’s direction.
Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway Give Brilliant Performances in Mothers’ Instinct
Despite the film’s shifting tone, the performances by Hathaway and Chastain are strong. Hathaway’s portrayal of Céline starts off as too perfect but reveals a tense and unsettling character as her life falls apart. Her performance keeps the audience guessing about Céline’s true intentions.
Chastain’s role as Alice is heartfelt. She portrays Alice’s vulnerability without turning her into a stereotype. Chastain shows Alice’s strength and struggle as her life unravels.
The chemistry between Hathaway and Chastain is a highlight of the film. Supporting actors Danielsen Lie and Charles play their roles well, with Charles especially capturing the darker side of grief.
Mothers’ Instinct might have had a greater impact if it had been released in the mid-2000s. It combines elements of Stepford Wives and The Hours but falls short of both.
If the film had focused more on character development and avoided a drastic twist, it might have felt more meaningful. Still, Chastain and Hathaway’s performances make it worth watching, even if it’s not among their best works.
Despite its flaws, Mothers’ Instinct still provides an engaging viewing experience, mainly due to the powerful performances from Hathaway and Chastain. Their portrayal of complex, grieving mothers keeps the audience invested, even when the story falters.
The film explores themes of friendship, guilt, and mental health, but it sometimes loses focus, leaving viewers unsure of its intended message.
While the predictable twist and uneven pacing may detract from the overall impact, the emotional depth brought by the lead actresses ensures that the film remains compelling. Mothers’ Instinct is a movie that’s enjoyable, though it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.
Mothers’ Instinct is now available for streaming on VOD in the U.S.
