Other Mommy’s Scariest Scenes Don’t Involve Any Jump Scares, Jessica Chastain Explain

Jessica Chastain believes the most frightening part of Other Mommy has little to do with traditional jump scares. The supernatural psychological horror movie, which also stars Jay Duplass, explores a much deeper fear.

Speaking exclusively with SYFY Wire, Chastain explained why Other Mommy’s premise works beyond its supernatural elements. She said losing trust in the people who are supposed to protect you is scarier than any single scare.

Chastain said, “I think there’s something about the one safe harbor for a child should be their parents, and that’s the scariest thing.” She added that children can struggle to understand what they can trust, what is true, and where they are actually safe.

The same fear becomes central to Bela’s experience throughout Other Mommy. The young girl is forced to question whether the woman in front of her is her real mother or someone else who has taken her place. The film uses that uncertainty to make the family home feel increasingly unsafe.

What is Jessica Chastain’s Other Mommy movie about?

Other Mommy is based on Josh Malerman’s 2024 horror novel Incidents Around the House, the same author behind Bird Box. The movie follows Bela as she faces a supernatural presence that has entered her family’s home and appears to be connected directly to her mother.

Chastain’s Ursula is at the center of that mystery, while Other Mommy takes on the appearance of her doppelganger. The trailer shows the creature tormenting both Bela and Daddo as the family tries to understand what it wants and whether they can escape its influence.

Duplass praised Chastain’s work, calling her precise and quick to understand what a scene needs. 

Directed by Robert Salerno, Other Mommy arrives in theaters on October 9. The film uses a supernatural threat to explore a simple but disturbing question: What happens when a child can no longer trust the person who is supposed to keep them safe?

Originally reported on ComingSoon.