Regardless of how you choose to read the piece, 'Mother!' will get you talking and, whether you liked it or not, that can only mean it was at least interesting.

Rating: 7/10 (29 September 2017)

If there's one thing to be said for the controversial and polarising 'Mother!', it's that it is without a doubt an interesting allegorical experiment that has gotten people talking, whether it be to sing its praises or declare it trash or simply just to discuss it. While I don't think it is anywhere near as disturbing as some people - and indeed some of the marketing materials - are purporting it to be (though that's not to say it's particularly lax when it comes to the distressing scene department), there's no doubt it eventually becomes an incredibly frustrating and uncomfortable watch in the best way possible. A tangible anxiety starts to set in when the previously off-kilter feel transforms into downright claustrophobic chaos; in fact, the more intense sequences are almost enough to induce a real sense of enochlophobia. Towards the end, though, things start to get a little silly as all subtlety is thrown out the window so that the director's point can be hammered home. What's interesting is that after my initial viewing I have several interpretations as to what that point is exactly - the keenest of which seemed so obvious that I was surprised to learn it wasn't an intention of the people behind the film at all. While I'm certain Aronofsky had a specific subtext in mind during his self-described 'five-day fever dream' of a writing process, I think that this ambiguity - along with the general non-conformity of the piece - is ultimately a strength and a reason why it stands out amidst a sea of paint-by-numbers sequels and bargain- bin adaptations. Regardless of how you choose to read the picture, it's clear that the experience, which is one that still works even without the larger metaphorical context, is one you won't soon forget and a testament to the fact that sometimes even the creator can't predict every valid understanding of their work. 7/10