Ma

Ma

Year: 2017

Runtime: 80 min

Language: English

Drama

A woman's journey through the American Southwest becomes a transformative pilgrimage as she travels to Las Vegas. The film follows her experiences through a kinetic, deconstructed narrative, presenting a reimagining of her quest. Along the way, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, both challenging and surprising her. The story explores themes of identity and redemption against the backdrop of the desert landscape and the city's vibrant lights.

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 – Ma (2017)

Trace every key event in Ma (2017) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Maggie's Relocation

Teenager Maggie Thompson relocates with her mother Erica to a small town in Ohio after the departure of her father. This marks a significant change in their lives as they adapt to a new environment and community.

Small-town Ohio
2

Making New Friends

At her new school, Maggie quickly forms a bond with a group of friends, including Haley, Darrell, Chaz, and Andy. Their camaraderie provides Maggie with a sense of belonging in her unfamiliar surroundings.

High School
3

Underage Drinking Scheme

The group decides to procure alcohol for a gathering and seeks the assistance of Sue Ann, a local veterinary technician. Their plan backfires when Sue Ann reports them, but they narrowly escape punishment due to a connection between the police officer and Andy's father.

Town
4

Partying at Sue Ann's

The very next day, Sue Ann invites the teens to her house for a party in her basement. Initially enjoyable, the gathering quickly begins to turn uncomfortable as Sue Ann's need for control and attention becomes apparent.

Sue Ann's House
5

Jealousy Brews

The situation escalates when Sue Ann observes a romantic moment between Andy and Maggie, igniting her jealousy. Her simmering rage becomes evident, revealing her obsession with Andy and unresolved feelings for his father.

Sue Ann's House
6

Drugging Maggie

In a fit of jealousy, Sue Ann drugs Maggie and steals her earrings. When Maggie awakens confused and bruised, she shares her fears with Andy, raising concerns about returning to Sue Ann's house.

Sue Ann's House
7

Sue Ann's Deception

To regain the trust of the teens, Sue Ann fabricates a story about having pancreatic cancer. While she tries to manipulate their sympathy, the teens start becoming suspicious when they notice discrepancies in her story.

Sue Ann's House
8

Uncovering the Truth

The girls decide to investigate after meeting Genie, Sue Ann’s daughter. They are shocked to discover that Genie, thought to be wheelchair-bound, is actually fully mobile, raising further suspicions about Sue Ann's claims.

Sue Ann's House
9

Ben Confronts Sue Ann

Tension rises when Ben, Andy's father, visits Sue Ann's workplace and confronts her about her relationship with his son. This encounter reveals Sue Ann's dark past with Ben, exacerbating her psychological issues.

Bar
10

Sue Ann's Violent Descent

As Sue Ann's madness escalates, she resorts to violent actions, including running over Ben's girlfriend and killing her boss. Her actions become increasingly erratic, highlighting her unstable mental state.

Town
11

Maggie's Fears

Maggie confides in her mother Erica about her growing fears regarding Sue Ann. However, her mother dismisses her concerns, leading to Maggie feeling isolated and unprotected.

Maggie's Home
12

Confrontation with Friends

After receiving a troubling photo from Sue Ann, Maggie confronts Andy, only to discover that all their friends have been drugged by Sue Ann. The realization of their grim situation intensifies their urgency to escape.

Sue Ann's House
13

The Basement Horror

Maggie's horror peaks when she discovers Ben's lifeless body and sees Sue Ann torturing her friends in the basement. The terrifying scene reveals the depths of Sue Ann's madness and her intent to cause harm.

Sue Ann's Basement
14

The Chaotic Climax

As chaos ensues, Officer arrives only to be shot by Sue Ann while trying to intervene. The situation spirals out of control, culminating in a fire that engulfs the house, pushing Maggie and her friends to their limits.

Sue Ann's House
15

Final Showdown

In a dramatic turn, Maggie stabs Sue Ann just as she is about to sacrifice Genie. The confrontation allows Genie to escape, but not before the tragic final moments leave lingering devastation and loss.

Sue Ann's House

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 11:05

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

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.

Obsessive revenge stories like in Ma

Stories where a traumatic past fuels a dangerous and obsessive quest for payback.If you liked Ma, you'll find similar dark tension in these movies about characters driven by a traumatic past to enact obsessive and violent revenge. This thread collects psychological thrillers and dramas where the line between victim and villain becomes dangerously blurred.

vengefulobsessivedesperateparanoidunsettlinganxious

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically involves a character who has suffered severe humiliation or trauma, which simmers beneath the surface until it erupts into a meticulously planned or chaotic campaign of revenge. The focus is on the psychological unraveling of the avenger and the escalating danger faced by their targets.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here by their shared focus on revenge as a direct consequence of deep psychological trauma, creating a dark and high-intensity tone. They often feature a fast-paced escalation from a relatively stable situation into a life-or-death thriller.

Suburban nightmare thrillers similar to Ma

Thrillers where familiar, everyday settings become traps of escalating terror.For viewers who enjoyed the claustrophobic terror of Ma, this thread features movies where ordinary settings become scenes of psychological and physical danger. Discover similar thrillers about secrets festering beneath the surface of small towns and suburban life.

claustrophobicoppressiveunsettlingparanoidanxiousdesperate

Narrative Summary

The narrative often begins with a deceptively normal scenario that is gradually undermined by a threatening presence or a dark secret. The setting, initially a place of comfort, transforms into a confined space where characters are trapped, leading to a desperate struggle for survival against a threat from within their own community.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their shared vibe of turning mundane, familiar worlds into oppressive and dangerous landscapes. They generate tension through a sense of inescapable confinement and the violation of safe spaces, often featuring themes of isolation, bullying, and hidden madness.

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

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

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.