Suburban boredom is an often explored theme in film, revealing darker undertones beneath the surface of an idyllic living. Presenting Mothers’ Instinct, a well-known yet fascinating newcomer to the world of film ‘burbs. Benoît Delhomme, making his directing debut, uses his background as a cinematographer to great effect in this drama set in the 1960s. The composition of the shots is strange and exquisite. The gorgeous costumes also contributes significantly to the narrative, since the moms’ emotional states are sharply reflected in the color schemes. The surface is all stunning, but underneath is lots of darkness, which only adds to the allure of the gloom below.
Mothers’ Instinct’s dynamite cast is what gives it its true impact. Hathaway, whose hair and attire are reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy, does a fantastic job portraying a mother attempting to reintegrate into society following a tragic loss. Her genuine acting is enhanced by subtle allusions to a darker side, which is what makes her such a delight to see. Chastain makes a good counterpoint since she tries to bring her husband and children the perfect life while still dealing with overwhelming guilt and anxiety of her own.
Seeing two top-tier performers compete against one another is an exciting experience in and of itself.
Although the two have previously starred in movies together (Interstellar and Armageddon Time), they get to share a frame in Mothers’ Instinct. Seeing two performers at the top of their game play off one another is thrilling in and of itself, and their chemistry is just as thrilling as trying to figure out where the movie is going next. Additionally impressive are the supporting performances: Josh Charles, who plays a grieving father, and Anders Danielsen Lie, who plays a generically unsupportive spouse, both make the most of their roles despite having less wealthy characters.
Mothers’ Instinct is a film that progressively and menacingly becomes tense. Despite the fact that the setting and subject matter seem to be perfect for melodrama, Delhomme handles things with a surprising amount of objectivity. It’s a wise decision because the performers are able to control the emotions without the heavy hand that one would anticipate from the genre. Though there are a few scenes that seem repetitive due to the story’s purposely constrained scope, ultimately this is a suspenseful and poignant thriller you won’t soon forget.