You Are Not My Mother

You Are Not My Mother

Year: 2022

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Director: Kate Dolan

Echo Score: 78
DramaHorror

As Halloween approaches in Dublin, Char is unsettled by her mother Angela's sudden return home after a long disappearance. However, Angela's behavior is increasingly strange and alarming, suggesting she may not be who she seems. Haunted by the family's troubled history, Char investigates the mystery behind her mother's return and the unsettling changes she’s experiencing, battling dark forces that threaten her sanity and Angela's very soul.

Tense
Happy ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen You Are Not My Mother 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 – You Are Not My Mother (2022)

Explore the full timeline and setting of You Are Not My Mother (2022). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present Day

Set in the present day, the film explores contemporary issues surrounding mental health and adolescence. It highlights the ramifications of a parent's struggle with depression, the pressures of social dynamics in school, and the evolving relationships within a family amid crisis.

Location

wooded area, all-girls Catholic high school

The movie features a serene yet haunting wooded area where critical moments unfold, simulating both tranquility and danger. The all-girls Catholic high school serves as a backdrop to Charlotte's struggles, known for its rigid social structure that breeds bullying and isolation among students.

🌳 Woodland 🏫 School

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:23

Main Characters – You Are Not My Mother (2022)

Meet the key characters of You Are Not My Mother (2022), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Angela

Angela is portrayed as a once-vibrant mother who is overtaken by depression, leaving her a shell of her former self. Her sudden transformation into an unnerving figure highlights the complexities of mental illness, as she oscillates between motherhood and a sinister presence. This turmoil creates a rift between her and her daughter Char, culminating in a turbulent journey for both.

👩‍👧‍👦 Motherhood 🥀 Struggle

Charlotte (Char)

Charlotte, or Char, is a talented adolescent navigating the challenges of her mother's mental illness while facing bullying at school. Deeply empathetic and intelligent, Char struggles with her identity amidst family chaos but ultimately rises to confront her fears and reclaim her life. Her evolution from a vulnerable teen to a resilient individual is at the heart of the story.

🌌 Coming of Age 📚 Academic

Rita

Rita is the grandmother who plays a pivotal role in the family's dynamics, embodying love and wisdom while dealing with the consequences of Angela’s mental health crisis. She carries the burden of family secrets and the legacy of past traumas, desperately trying to protect Char. Her steadfastness and dedication are crucial for trying to restore the family bond.

👵 Heritage ❤️ Love

Aaron

Aaron is an ally to Char, serving as a grounding presence amid the chaos surrounding Angela's behavior. His supportive nature and understanding of her struggles make him a vital character, providing both friendship and a sense of normalcy. Aaron showcases the importance of connection and solidarity during personal storms.

🌱 Friendship 💪 Support

Suzanne

Suzanne, a former bully, evolves into an important ally for Char during her tumultuous journey. Their unlikely connection reflects the capacity for growth and forgiveness, particularly in understanding each other's pain. Suzanne's willingness to support Char marks a turning point in both characters' arcs, emphasizing the power of connection amidst adversity.

🤝 Redemption 💬 Compassion

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:23

Major Themes – You Are Not My Mother (2022)

Explore the central themes of You Are Not My Mother (2022), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Transformation

The theme of transformation is pivotal, showcasing both the physical and psychological changes that Angela undergoes. The unsettling shift from a loving mother to an imposter serves to highlight the fragility of identity and the profound impact of mental illness. Additionally, Char's journey reflects her own transformation as she confronts her fears and the harsh realities of her family's legacy.

🤝 Connection

The film explores the theme of connection through the bonds formed between Char and Suzanne. As former bully and victim, their friendship evolves as they share their traumas, highlighting the healing power of understanding and support. The bond between Char and Rita also emphasizes intergenerational connection, as they navigate family secrets and shared experiences.

💔 Loss

Loss resonates throughout the film, encapsulating the feelings of abandonment experienced by Char when her mother disappears. It also operates on a broader level, reflecting personal losses tied to memory, identity, and the haunting specter of what once was within this fractured family.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:23

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.

Domestic Uncanny Horror movies like You Are Not My Mother

Stories where a familiar home or family member becomes a source of creeping terror.If the unsettling dread of a familiar home turning sinister gripped you in 'You Are Not My Mother', explore these movies. This list features horror films where the threat comes from within the family or home, blurring the line between the known and the monstrous in a deeply personal way.

uncannyclaustrophobicanxiousdarkly atmosphericmelancholicpsychological horrorfamily dread

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a protagonist, often a child or young adult, who must confront the terrifying possibility that someone they love has been replaced or irrevocably changed by a malevolent force. The plot centers on an investigation into this uncanny shift, building tension through the character's growing isolation and fear within their own environment.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core focus on psychological horror rooted in the violation of familial trust and domestic safety. They create a specific, claustrophobic anxiety by making the source of fear intimately close, blending supernatural elements with raw emotional trauma.

Hopeful supernatural dramas like You Are Not My Mother

Emotionally heavy journeys where characters overcome dark forces to find light.If you appreciated the emotional weight and ultimately hopeful resolution of 'You Are Not My Mother', this list is for you. Discover movies that balance dark supernatural threats with a core of human resilience, leading to endings that feel earned and cathartic rather than bleak.

hopefulemotionalresilientsupernaturalfamily dramacatharticheavyatmospheric

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist facing a profound supernatural crisis, often linked to family or personal history. The journey is emotionally taxing, filled with dread and sorrow, but culminates in a confrontation that restores order and reaffirms core human connections, resulting in a cathartic, hopeful ending.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique tonal balance: they deliver high-tension, heavy emotional experiences rooted in horror or dark fantasy, yet they ultimately conclude on a note of hope and restoration. This creates a specific, satisfying emotional arc from despair to resilience.

Unlock the Full Story of You Are Not My Mother

Don't stop at just watching — explore You Are Not My Mother 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 You Are Not My Mother is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

You Are Not My Mother Summary

Read a complete plot summary of You Are Not My Mother, 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.

You Are Not My Mother Summary

You Are Not My Mother Timeline

Track the full timeline of You Are Not My Mother with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

You Are Not My Mother Timeline

You Are Not My Mother Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of You Are Not My Mother? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

You Are Not My Mother Ending Explained

You Are Not My Mother Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of You Are Not My Mother 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.

You Are Not My Mother Spoiler-Free Summary

More About You Are Not My Mother

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about You Are Not My Mother: 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 You Are Not My Mother

Explore More About Movie You Are Not My Mother

You Are Not My Mother (2022) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

You Are Not My Mother (2022) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

You Are Not My Mother (2022) Ending Explained & Theories

You Are Not My Mother (2022) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow