Ma (2019 film)

Ma
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTate Taylor
Written byScotty Landes
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyChristina Voros
Edited by
  • Lucy Donaldson
  • Jin Lee
Music byGregory Tripi
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • May 31, 2019 (2019-05-31)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million[1]
Box office$61.2 million[1]

Ma is a 2019 American psychological horror film directed by Tate Taylor and written by Scotty Landes. It stars Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, Diana Silvers, Corey Fogelmanis, Gianni Paolo, McKaley Miller and Luke Evans and follows a group of teenagers who befriend a lonely middle-aged woman. She lets them party in her basement, and they end up being terrorized by her.[2] The film was produced by Jason Blum through his Blumhouse Productions company, along with Taylor and John Norris.[3]

Ma came together as a result of Taylor's desire to direct a film about "something fucked up" and Spencer's desire to break away from the kinds of roles she usually gets to play.[4] Taylor and Spencer are longtime friends, having worked together in films such as The Help and Get on Up. Later, in 2018, Taylor and Blumhouse Productions began developing the film, with Taylor directing, Landes writing, Blum producing and Spencer starring. Principal photography on the film started in February 2018 and wrapped in March 2018, in Mississippi, with some parts shot in Natchez.

Ma was released in the United States on May 31, 2019, by Universal Pictures. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances (particularly those of Spencer and Lewis), but criticized the pacing and unrealized potential. The film grossed $61.2 million against a $5 million budget. It has since gained a cult following online.

  1. ^ a b "Ma (2019)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  2. ^ Miska, Brad (February 1, 2018). "'Shape of Water's Octavia Spencer Starring In 'Help' Director's 'Ma'". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  3. ^ Romano, Nick (February 1, 2018). "Octavia Spencer and The Help director reunite for psychological thriller". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  4. ^ Jackson, Angelique (May 20, 2019). "Octavia Spencer on 'Ma': 'These Types of Roles Haven't Really Been Available to Women of Color'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2020.