Mama

Mama

Year: 2013

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Andres Muschietti

Budget: $15M

MysteryHorror

Following the disappearance of their parents, two young sisters are raised in the wilderness. Years later, they are brought back to civilization and must adjust to a new life with their aunt. However, a supernatural presence, known only as Mama, still clings to the girls, threatening their well-being and forcing their aunt to confront a dark and mysterious past.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Mama 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 – Mama (2013)

Trace every key event in Mama (2013) 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

Desperate Actions

A man, desperate and driven by tragic circumstances, takes a horrifying step by murdering his business partners and estranged ex-wife. This tragic choice sets a dark chain of events into motion, affecting his young daughters, Victoria and infant Lilly.

2

Fleeing the Scene

After the murders, he flees with his daughters into the night, hoping to escape the consequences of his actions. Their harrowing journey leads them down a secluded, snowy road, filled with both fear and urgency as they seek refuge.

Secluded snowy road
3

Car Crash

In a twist of fate, the man's desperate escape comes to a halt when he crashes their car into the woods. This accident forces them out of their vehicle and into the wilderness, leading to unknown challenges ahead.

Woods
4

The Cabin Discovery

Seeking refuge from the freezing conditions, he discovers an abandoned cabin deep in the woods. Little do they know, this place will soon become a setting of turmoil, intertwining their fates with a tragic presence.

Abandoned cabin
5

The Stranger's Interjection

As he begins to grapple with the gravity of his actions, a mysterious figure appears just in time to intervene. This moment leads to his unexpected demise, leaving his daughters alone and vulnerable.

Abandoned cabin
6

Five Years Later

Fast forward five years, and their Uncle Lucas, along with his girlfriend Annabel, tirelessly searches for the missing siblings. Using their inheritance, they follow leads that ultimately bring them closer to uncovering the fate of Victoria and Lilly.

Five years later
7

Finding the Siblings

Their relentless search leads them to the abandoned vehicle, and subsequently to the cabin where they find the girls. Victoria and Lilly have reverted to wild behavior, with Victoria instinctively protecting her younger sister from the newcomers.

Abandoned cabin
8

Custody Battle

Cared for by psychiatrist Dr. Dreyfuss, the children enter a custody struggle that puts Lucas against a wealthy relative. The court questions whether Lucas and Annabel can provide the stable upbringing that the girls need, especially with their unique challenges.

Court
9

Mama's Presence

Unknown to Lucas and Annabel, the entity known as 'Mama' follows them to their new home. The children are haunted by her presence, complicating their transition into a more stable environment.

New home
10

Unraveling Mama's History

As Annabel, Dr. Dreyfuss, and the children explore the history of Mama, they uncover her tragic past as a patient in an 1800s asylum. Her sorrow and loss resonate deeply, revealing her connection to the girls she now watches over.

Asylum
11

Encounters with Mama

Mama's presence becomes more pronounced with ominous signs like black butterflies and electrical disturbances. The tension escalates as she directly impacts the lives of Lucas and Annabel, leading to a chilling confrontation.

12

Dr. Dreyfuss's Fate

Dr. Dreyfuss unravels unsettling truths about Mama in his quest for understanding. His curiosity leads him to a gruesome fate at the hands of the very entity he sought to comprehend.

13

Increased Surveillance

The children's aunt, suspicious of Annabel's care, begins to monitor their household closely. She fears for their welfare, convinced that Annabel may be abusive, unaware of the true supernatural threats they face.

14

Climactic Confrontation

Despite the mounting tensions, a terrifying confrontation occurs when Annabel and Lucas are led to a cliff, echoing Mama's tragic story. The stakes are high as they face off against the entity that haunts them.

Cliff
15

Bittersweet Resolution

In a heart-stopping finale, Mama discovers her baby's remains and experiences a moment of humanity. As she and Lilly leap into the abyss, they transform into butterflies, leaving Victoria with a haunting connection to her past.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:38

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Maternal Ghost Stories like Mama

Supernatural stories where a mother's love persists as a dangerous, spectral force.If you were captivated by Mama's haunting maternal entity, explore more movies like this featuring ghosts born from motherhood and tragic loss. These similar supernatural horror stories delve into themes of protector spirits, fractured families, and the chilling overlap of love and possession.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically uncovers the tragic backstory of a mother-figure ghost while a present-day family, often with children, grapples with its increasingly threatening, yet sometimes sympathetic, presence. The story unfolds through a steady reveal of past trauma, culminating in a confrontation that tests the bonds of family.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core premise of a maternal supernatural entity, sharing a dark, melancholic tone, heavy emotional weight centered on grief, and a focus on themes of protection, possession, and the complexities of motherhood from beyond the grave.

Bittersweet Supernatural Horror Movies like Mama

Haunting tales where terror and tragedy are intertwined, leading to a poignant resolution.For viewers who appreciated Mama's mix of genuine dread and profound sadness, this list features similar horror movies with bittersweet endings. Discover films where supernatural terror is deeply rooted in human tragedy, creating a heavy, emotionally resonant viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a pattern where the supernatural threat is intrinsically linked to a human tragedy. The horror is explored with a steady, anxious pace, building dread while simultaneously developing sympathy for both the victims and sometimes the tormentor, culminating in a resolution that sacrifices a pure 'happy ending' for a more complex, often sorrowful, closure.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their unique fusion of high-intensity horror and heavy emotional drama. They share a dark tone, steady pacing that allows for emotional depth, and critically, a bittersweet or tragic ending that elevates them beyond simple scare-fests.

Unlock the Full Story of Mama

Don't stop at just watching — explore Mama 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 Mama is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Mama Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Mama, 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.

Mama Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mama

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mama

Mama Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Mama 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.

Mama Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Mama

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Mama: 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 Mama

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