I went in curious & intrigued by the divisiveness...

Rating: 1/10 (4 June 2018)

I wandered into this movie after watching (& enjoying) both The Lobster & The Killing of a Sacred Deer. When I say I was intrigued by the divisiveness, I mean... it's always interesting when you're presented with a movie that has almost as many 1-star reviews as it has 10-star reviews. My prediction, based on the (deliberately) few reviews I skimmed, was that there were two camps: the people who thought this was BRILLIANT, TOP-SHELF ART AT IT'S FINEST... & the people who thought it was NAUSEATINGLY, NARCISSISTICALLY OBTUSE.
I went in expecting to be in the first camp, only to find myself FIRMLY grounded in the second upon finishing the movie. We're talking immediately; I didn't need time to mull this film over; I didn't need time for the full stroke of Aronofsky's genius to ferment in my psyche; no, I was pretty annoyed - as I'm guessing most of the 1-star reviewers were, based on the general tone expressed here.
I don't write a lot of reviews & there are certainly more skilled reviewers than me, but I need to express some honest concern with the people who keep saying that this movie is "horrifying." There are some disturbing images; that has been true with each of Aronofsky's films that I've seen. The movie is unsettling in its tone & doesn't rely on jump-scares to get there. But "horrifying" is grossly overselling this piece, & I mean that sincerely. Maybe the most controversial thing about this movie is the fact that it can present the sort of disturbing imagery it presents (no spoilers) & still somehow manage to make it so unbearably stupid that you end up LAUGHING.
I love a film whose central thesis sticks with you; I love a film that makes its way back to you, days or weeks or months later, & asks you difficult questions or stirs up difficult emotions or just generally reaches into you & makes a vital change.
Meanwhile: Mother! didn't make me physically ill - although I think it came close! My two cents: you inevitably have better ways to spend two hours. I know you do.