The subject of horror films that delve into motherhood, or as described by the writer without any attempt at eloquence, maternal horror or the subgenre of “mother-horror” is a crowded space in horror filed. The likes of The Babadook, Hereditary, Rosemary’s Baby and Goodnight Mommy are pretty much the best ones to do it ever while managing to give a fascinating insight into motherhood and still scaring you senseless.
Released first at Sundance Film Festival in 2023, Run Rabbit Run becomes latest movie that takes on the “mother-horror” subgenre with diverse results. It is an eerie movie that benefits from strong acting but suffers slightly from relying too heavily on its genre tropes.
Daina Reid who directed the film has made it a fun ride even though she sometimes gets bogged down with clichés. Netflix Original flick is sure to please fans of ‘Mother Horror’ genre regardless it’s been used some tropes and not being original for this time around; they will find plenty to like about it . Might throw some audiences off during its second act but Run Rabbit Run ultimately manages to grab their attention again within its final moment.
In this episode we find Sarah (Sarah Snook), who works as a fertility specialist starting noticing odd behavior changes from Mia (Lilly LaTorre). Along her journey she must confront old demons and question her beliefs.
The film opens with what should be a happy event; however, Mia’s seventh birthday is extremely grim. For now we don’t know why but Daina Reid fills the scene full of paranoia. Pete (Damon Herriman), Sarah’s ex-husband arrives soon afterwards with Andrea (Georgina Naidu) his new girlfriend to celebrate Mia’s special day. Sarah lashes out at Andrea’s boy after his mom allowed him to hit hers in front of them both; whatever was wrong became more apparent.
Mia starts behaving very strangely as the film progresses. She begins to ask for Joan (Greta Scacchi), someone she’s never met and then starts shouting at Sarah to call her Alice, who we find out more about later in the movie. As the film goes on, Mia becomes increasingly weird. At least that is what the movie would want you to think but every good “mother-horror” knows in the end it was always mom. Her past haunts her affecting her state of mind; she cannot control herself and Sarah continues to suffer this mental illness.
She has been through a lot of painful experiences such as losing a sister at an early age, her mother having Alzheimer’s disease and father dying off. These psychological issues lead to emotional problems hence making Sarah untrustworthy narrator in a sense while the movie also plays around with her sense of reality and who is real or not which somehow makes it predictable yet still shocking and nerve wracking.
Immediately Daina Reid casts darkness over audiences with an eerie atmosphere. Through Bonnie Elliott’s dazzling yet creepy cinematography, Mark Bradshaw along Marcus Whale’s chilling score, Reid produces a truly frightening experience here.
Run Rabbit Run, as mentioned earlier, heavily uses the tropes of motherhood horror movies established over half a century ago by such films as Rosemary’s Baby, Carrie, and even Psycho in a way. It is about an odd behaving kid and a mad mother who suffers psychological problems until it ends with an unexpected twist. Although these tropes are quite apparent, they do not necessarily drag down film development. It is simply that the failure to be original cannot compete with the best in the subgenre.
Starting off very strongly however, Run Rabbit Run will lose its audiences just slightly later on because of its heavy reliance on clichés. The jumpscares are most of them predictable; there are a few that actually work though. In the end however, it is the atmosphere and tension where the movie really shines.
Despite having some flaws, this film is scattered with haunting imagery that will always make people feel uncomfortable throughout. Perhaps you just never felt alright when seeing this rabbit.
Kids can be creepy and annoying especially in horror movies. For instance, this includes The Babadook’s kid who bugged every single person at first watch but had an amazing arc or The Poltergeist’s kid who says “They are here” creepily which may engage audience into horror making scary environments generally better than when achieved by adults alone… Don’t even mention those two twins from The Shining or Goodnight Mommy! Spooky things.
Mia embodies characteristics similar to those found in Run Rabbit Run’s other characters too. Mia seems to suggest that all isn’t as it appears to be almost immediately and she becomes more aggressive confrontational abusive and indeed creepy throughout the running time of this movie.. She remains in places she should not be at her age drawing images no child should draw while also having knowledge of her mum’s life and trauma no girl her age should have access to- oh yeah shes drawn herself up a scary mask as well its just like something out of pet cemetary or children of the corn.
Mia LaTorre does a great job as Mia. Her eerie delivery strengthens the suspense and discomfort of the film, placing her among the most terrifying but also annoying (in a good sense) little kids in horror. That’s not so easy to do.
Presently, Sarah Snook is one of the best actresses that are working today. She gave an extraordinary performance in the hit HBO show Succession while her roles in Jessabelle, a horror flick and Pieces of a Woman were pure genius. Here, she gets yet another chance to display her flawless acting skills as Snook essentially carries this psychological horror film on her back.
Initially though, we see Sarah as being somewhat normal, sweet and caring mother thanks to Snook’s portrayal but it is when we get down on Sarah’s insecurities griefs and past traumas that Snook really shines throughout the movie. Furthered by Snook’s strong presence which makes up for great cinema’s tension and haunting atmosphere created by this actress’ character can be extremely absorbed by audiences. As Snook’s character loses touch with reality so does her performance become even more unpredictable making all these twisits at second half of this film much more satisfying; this role truly becomes believable for what should have been fiction only until recently… It’s done here by snook too.
Watch free movies on Fmovies
