Madres

Madres

Year: 2021

Language: English

Director: Ryan Zaragoza

Horror

In 1970s California, a young Mexican-American couple finds their peaceful life disrupted when the husband takes a new job at a secluded rural farm. Isolated from their community, his wife, Diana, begins to experience a growing sense of unease as she explores the strange ranch. She discovers unsettling relics and uncovers dark secrets, leading her on a disturbing journey to reveal a sinister truth and confront a series of increasingly frightening events.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Madres (2021)

Trace every key event in Madres (2021) 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

New Beginnings

Diana and Beto, a young Mexican-American couple, move to a small farming town in rural California. They are excited about Beto's new job managing a farm and view this transition as a fresh start, especially with Diana being pregnant.

1970s rural California
2

Uneasy Arrival

Upon arriving at their new home, Diana feels an unsettling presence. The old, creaky house is filled with strange symbols and ominous objects, including a mysterious doll she unearths from the backyard, which heightens her anxiety.

3

Terrifying Hallucinations

Soon after settling in, Diana begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations and visions. She hears whispering voices, sees moving shadows in the dark, and has nightmares featuring faceless women who scream in agony and blood pouring from the walls.

4

Physical Symptoms

As the stress mounts, Diana develops strange rashes on her stomach and arms, accompanied by intense stomach cramps and bleeding. When she visits the local doctor, her concerns are dismissed as mere pregnancy stress, leaving her feeling isolated and worried.

local clinic
5

Uncovering the Town's Dark Past

Determined to understand her strange experiences, Diana investigates the history of the town. She uncovers a disturbing pattern where many Latina women have suffered miscarriages or infertility, leading her to suspect that these characters are being cursed by some supernatural force.

6

Confronting the Ghostly Woman

Diana's visions begin to manifest as she encounters a ghostly woman in her home. This spirit, sometimes bloody and holding a dead infant, leads her to hidden places in the house, hinting at deeper secrets lurking within.

Diana's house
7

Discovering the Truth

Diana finds medical files and photographs in the locked basement that reveal a horrifying truth about the town's clinic. The files suggest that many women were taken and sterilized without their consent, shedding light on a dark pattern of abuse.

locked basement
8

Confrontation with the Nurse

When Diana confronts the overly kind town nurse about her prenatal care, the nurse becomes unexpectedly hostile. This confrontation leads to the revelation that the clinic has been systematically sterilizing Latina women under the guise of medical care.

local clinic
9

Visions Turn Violent

As Diana's visions intensify, she is haunted by violent flashbacks of women being mistreated in the clinic. These visions reveal the horrific reality of women being drugged during labor and waking up to find they have been sterilized.

Diana's house
10

Targeted for Sterilization

Diana learns that she is now a target for sterilization as her labor begins. Panicked, she fights to remain conscious while being taken to the clinic, fearing the same fate that befell other women.

local clinic
11

The Fight for Survival

In a desperate bid for freedom, Diana escapes the operating room just in time, with the help of a local woman whose sister disappeared after giving birth. A violent confrontation occurs between her, the nurse, and the doctor, revealing the true extent of the clinic's horrors.

local clinic
12

Spirits' Revenge

During the struggle, the spirits of the women start to appear, causing chaos in the clinic. These apparitions terrify the nurse and lead to a shocking climax where the doctor is fatally wounded, showcasing the spirits’ wrath against their oppressors.

local clinic
13

Safe Delivery

Ultimately, Diana gives birth safely despite the chaos surrounding her. With the illegal activities of the clinic exposed, authorities arrive to investigate the decades-long medical abuse and find discarded files of sterilized women.

14

Burning the Past

In a symbolic act of cleansing, Diana and Beto burn their cursed house to the ground, along with the relics of their traumatic past. This marks a new chapter in their lives, free from the horrors they endured.

15

A New Beginning

In the aftermath, Diana cradles her newborn, a symbol of hope and resilience. The film closes with a powerful image of a bloodstain on the nursery wall, reminding viewers of the generational trauma they have overcome.

Last Updated: June 11, 2025 at 06:37

Unlock the Full Story of Madres

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Madres Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Madres, 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.

Madres Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Madres

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Madres

Madres Ending Explained

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Madres Ending Explained

More About Madres

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More About Madres

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