Mother of Flies

2025

Action / Horror

6
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 59% · 51 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 59% · 50 ratings
IMDb Rating 5.5/10 10 1900 1.9K

folk horror

Plot summary

When a young woman faces a deadly diagnosis, she seeks dark magic from a witch in the woods... but every cure has costs.

Director

Top cast

Zelda Adams Photo
Zelda Adams
John Adams Photo
John Adams
Toby Poser Photo
Toby Poser
Trey Lindsay Photo
Trey Lindsay as Oncologist
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 1080p.WEB
849.32 MB
1280*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 32 min
Seeds 29
1.54 GB
1920*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 32 min
Seeds 52
1.38 GB
1920*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 32 min
Seeds 64

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by kevin_robbins 7 / 10

A unique and thoughtful addition to the witch-horror subgenre

I recently watched Mother of Flies (2025) on Shudder. The story follows a young woman dying of cancer who chooses an abstract-and dangerous-form of treatment: witchcraft. She and her family move in with a witch deep in the woods and slowly begin to absorb her way of life. It doesn't take long for things to spiral completely off the rails.The film is co-written and co-directed by John Adams (Hellbender), Zelda Adams, and Toby Poser, who previously collaborated on Hellbender and Hell Hole. All three also star in the film. The cast is rounded out by Sofia Macaluso, Lulu Adams (The Hatred), and Trey Lindsay (Hellbender).This creative team has firmly established itself as a modern, elite folklore-horror collective. They have a remarkable ability to blend nature, history, and ritual into something genuinely unsettling. The settings, cinematography, and use of color are excellent, and the film is very cleanly shot. The locations and costumes immediately pull you into its world, and the witch's design is spot-on-from her appearance to the unsettling meals she serves and her peculiar behaviors. The writing and execution feel authentic.The horror elements arrive in subtle flashes, punctuated by a few well-executed stoning scenes (an underrated horror kill type). While I do think the film could have leaned a bit harder into the gore and outright horror, this is clearly more about the journey and slow-burn buildup, culminating in a strong and effective final realization. I enjoyed it quite a bit.In conclusion, Mother of Flies is a unique and thoughtful addition to the witch-horror subgenre. I'd score it a 6.5-7/10 and recommend giving it at least one watch.
Reviewed by redsabin 7 / 10

Death grows within her but miraculously, it's delivered her the meaning of life

Your first breath in and the clock starts ticking ... this film is hindered only by it's budget i assume ... but it is clear that it is a labour of love and a good one at that ... there is an eeriness to the film that makes it an enjoyable watch and in the right mind, an addressing of the hopes and fears we all hold, as we march toward our eventual end by living.If you are expecting a high octane horror flick from zero, then no, don't watch it, but if you are curious about how to explore the untended gardens of the unconscious mind, and work through them confidently even when using common archetypes and tropes, all the while breaking the norm that has been inflicted upon the industry by the constant degradation of our minds by the silicon demiurge, this film, like most other films by the Adams family, is a love letter. This time, to death and the in between we call life.I do feel it would also be an absolutely worthwhile book as it would allow a deeper exploration of some of the ideas which while the poetry does a good idea of guiding towards, has a slight "unfinished" quality to it... but maybe that's the point.
Reviewed by Hakihiko 6 / 10

Strong Atmosphere, Limited Impact

"Mother of Flies" is an atmospheric and unsettling film that leans heavily into mood and symbolism rather than traditional narrative drive. There's a clear artistic vision behind it, and at times that ambition pays off, even if the final result feels more intriguing than fully satisfying.The film does a good job building a sense of unease. The visuals are deliberately harsh and oppressive, and the sound design plays a key role in reinforcing the disturbing tone. There's a constant feeling of discomfort that works well on a sensory level, pulling the viewer into its bleak world.Performances are committed and fitting for the material, even if the characters are more archetypal than deeply developed. The emotional intent is there, but the film often keeps the audience at a distance, making it harder to fully connect with what's happening on screen.Where "Mother of Flies" struggles is in its storytelling. The themes are interesting, but they feel underexplored and somewhat repetitive, with the film relying too much on atmosphere without giving enough narrative or emotional progression. As a result, the experience can feel stagnant, especially in its latter half.Overall, "Mother of Flies" is not a bad film - it's competently made and occasionally striking - but it doesn't fully capitalize on its ideas. It's an experience that may appeal to fans of slow, symbolic horror, even if it ultimately leaves a muted impression.
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