A modern classic

Rating: 7/10 (5 February 2013)

Ghost story centering around two young girls left to fend for themselves in the woods. They are then taken under legal supervision by their uncle and his partner (Jessica Chastain) under the proviso that a psychiatrist could have full access to them to piece together their fragile mental state. It appears that something may have followed them in from the woods.
Mama completes an intriguing horror quartet of Gullermo del Toro produced/directed movies: The Devil's backbone, Pan's Labyrinth and The Orphanage. From a horror perspective all these movies share a running theme of redemption that elevates the movie away from the hoy paloy of shock horror or spooky frights.
Kudos also to Chastain for playing another strong female lead, she is easily the best actress going at this moment, also special mention to the child actors in this movie who deliver genuine creepiness.
Mama succeeds in being both scary and tragic. The spooky she's behind you moments are genuinely fraught with concern for the characters, and the final cathartic last act delivers not only chilling fright but also a huge emotional wallop that may have you reaching for the tissues. A welcome edition to the genre and a movie that will stick with you when the lights go out.