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.

Ma (2019) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Ma (2019) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the quiet suburbs of Ohio, Sue Ann lives a solitary life that hums with an off‑kilter charm. An eccentric veterinary technician, she moves through the town’s ordinary rhythm with a yearning for connection that feels both heartfelt and oddly unsettling. When a group of local teenagers drifts into her orbit, she extends an invitation that transforms the ordinary space of her basement into a makeshift sanctuary—a place that promises warmth, music, and a sense of belonging far beyond what the neighborhood typically offers.

The teenagers arrive with their own tangled stories. Maggie Thompson has just returned home with her mother, Erica, hoping to stitch together a new beginning after a painful family breakup. Soon she meets Haley, Darrell, Chaz and Andy, a lively circle that instantly clicks in the small‑town high school scene. The teens, drawn by curiosity and the novelty of an adult who seems eager to play host, find themselves slipping into Sue Ann’s carefully arranged world, where the line between a friendly gathering and something more intimate begins to blur.

As the evenings stretch on, Sue Ann’s affection deepens into a lingering, almost possessive attention that unsettles the easy camaraderie of the group. The basement, once a bright and inviting hideaway, starts to feel like a subtle stage for unspoken expectations, leaving the teenagers to question whether they are guests or participants in a performance they never signed up for. The film’s tone drifts between the nostalgic glow of teenage nights and a creeping, psychological tension that suggests something far more complex lurks beneath the surface.

Ma’s earnest desire for inclusion and the teens’ search for acceptance create a delicate dance of trust and unease. In this suburban backdrop, the story quietly asks how far a yearning for belonging can go before it eclipses the very safety it seeks to provide, leaving viewers poised on the edge of anticipation, eager to see how this fragile equilibrium might unravel.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 01:51

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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.

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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.

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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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Ma

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Ma. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Ma

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

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.

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