Ma

Ma

Year: 2019

Runtime: 99 min

Language: English

Director: Tate Taylor

Echo Score: 64

Budget: $5M

DramaThrillerHorror

A lonely and eccentric woman in Ohio, Sue Ann, unexpectedly connects with a group of teenagers. She invites them to her basement, creating what appears to be a safe and welcoming space. However, as her feelings evolve into an unhealthy obsession, her sanctuary transforms into a terrifying and inescapable trap, revealing a sinister side and leading to a disturbing confrontation.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Ma yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Ma (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ma (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as peer pressure and the impact of personal traumas. The time period emphasizes the challenges faced by teenagers today, including the consequences of their actions and the importance of influencing relationships.

Location

Ohio

The movie is set in Ohio, specifically in a small town where the main character, Maggie, relocates with her mother. This community serves as both a backdrop for teenage escapades and a hub for darker secrets, illustrated by Sue Ann's transformed basement party space that turns sinister.

🏡 Hometown 🎉 Party Space

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:38

Main Characters – Ma (2019)

Meet the key characters of Ma (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Maggie Thompson

Maggie is a teenager navigating the challenges of moving to a new town and fitting in with her peers. She is strong-willed and determined, but her innocence and vulnerability are exploited by Sue Ann, leading to harrowing experiences that she must overcome.

🌟 Protagonist 🚨 Vulnerable

Sue Ann "Ma" Ellington

Sue Ann, portrayed by Octavia Spencer, is a deeply troubled woman with a dark past. Her desire for acceptance and friendship quickly turns dangerous as she becomes obsessed with her young friends, showcasing her volatile nature as she descends into madness.

😈 Antagonist ⚡ Obsession

Erica

Erica, Maggie's mother, tries to support her daughter through the chaos of relocating and adapting to a new social environment. She embodies the protective parental figure, highlighting the tension between parental concern and teenage independence.

👩‍👧 Mother 🤔 Supportive

Ben

Ben is Andy's father who becomes an unwilling participant in Sue Ann's twisted games. His past with Sue Ann reveals layers of their shared history and adds complexity to the narrative, especially as he struggles to protect his son from her dangerous influence.

👨‍👦 Father ⚖️ Protector

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:38

Major Themes – Ma (2019)

Explore the central themes of Ma (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal is a prevalent theme, as Sue Ann's initial desire for friendship quickly devolves into treachery. The bond between Maggie and her friends is tested when they realize the lengths Sue Ann will go to maintain her twisted connection to them, leading to moral dilemmas and severe consequences.

🌀 Isolation

The theme of isolation manifests through Sue Ann's character, as her desperate longing for acceptance leads her to increasingly erratic and disturbing behavior. Her history of trauma isolates her from genuine relationships, showcasing the destructive nature of loneliness and the craving for belonging.

🔪 Madness

Madness is a key theme driving the plot, illustrating how unresolved trauma can lead to a descent into violence. Sue Ann's psychological unraveling represents the dangers of obsession and unchecked emotions, culminating in horrifying acts that reflect her disturbed mindset.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:38

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Tragic Villains like Ma

Stories where the villain's tragic past fuels a terrifying present.If you were fascinated by Sue Ann's twisted psychology in Ma, you'll find similar depth in these movies. This list features psychological thrillers and horror films where the antagonists are complex, often sympathetic figures whose trauma erupts into violence, blurring the lines between monster and victim.

unsettlingpsychologicaltraumaticvengefuldisturbingtensecharacter-driventragic

Narrative Summary

These stories often begin by revealing the antagonist's pain or humiliation, granting them a degree of audience sympathy. This foundation is then shattered as their trauma manifests as a dangerous obsession or a meticulous plan for revenge, turning them from a figure of pity into a direct and personal threat to the protagonists.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their focus on character-driven horror, where the villain's motivation is as central to the plot as the heroes' survival. They share a dark tone and heavy emotional weight, forcing viewers to grapple with the origins of evil while being subjected to intense psychological and physical terror.

Claustrophobic Thrillers in Domestic Settings like Ma

Where a place of safety becomes an inescapable trap of terror.For viewers who felt the chilling confinement of Sue Ann's basement in Ma, this list features similar movies where homes and everyday places become nightmarish traps. These thrillers and horror films masterfully build tension and dread by twisting familiar environments into inescapable landscapes of obsession and terror.

claustrophobictensetrappedparanoidunsettlingobsessivehome invasionconfined

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters willingly entering or being lured into a domestic space that initially seems welcoming. The tension builds steadily as the friendly facade crumbles, revealing sinister intentions. The central conflict becomes a desperate struggle for survival within the confined walls, emphasizing psychological torment and the loss of safety.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their potent use of setting to generate dread. They share a claustrophobic, tense mood and a steady pacing that allows the threat to escalate methodically within a limited space. The experience is intensely stressful, playing on universal fears of being trapped and betrayed in a place one should feel safe.

Unlock the Full Story of Ma

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ma in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ma is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ma Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ma, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Ma Summary

Ma Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ma with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ma Timeline

Ma Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Ma? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Ma Ending Explained

Ma Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Ma that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Ma Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Ma

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Ma: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Ma

Similar Movies to Ma

Discover movies like Ma that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.