☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].

Translated by Gabrielle Baillargeon-Michaud. 

Released in 2017, Mother!, directed by Darren Aronofsky, depicts the story of a seemingly happy couple whose tranquility is shattered by the unexpected arrival of guests. The film opens with Mother (Jennifer Lawrence) and her husband (Javier Bardem), a famous author suffering from writer’s block. The duo appears to be living in perfect harmony; she is his muse, he is her rock. Suddenly, a man (Ed Harris) knocks on the door. He is in bad shape, and the author invites him to stay. That same evening, Mother sees the mutilated body of the man in the bathroom. Horror sets in. What follows is a series of increasingly invasive arrivals. It quickly becomes apparent that these new arrivals are, in fact, fervent fans of the author. Under the weight of these unwanted guests, Mother’s world is turned upside down, and the couple’s relationship starts to struggle.

Booed at the 2017 Venice Film Festival, Mother! is considered one of Aronofsky’s most controversial films. During a Masterclass in 2021, Aronofsky revealed that he still receives hate mail about the film to this day. However, this is not the first time he has sparked strong reactions. He is known for his polarizing themes, demanding working methods, and intimate relationships with his actresses.

Driven by deep ecological convictions, Aronofsky describes Mother! as an allegory of the relationship between humanity and the Earth. Nonetheless, the film’s message seems broader. By delving into the perspective of Mother Nature, embodied by the character of Mother, the film offers a remarkable metaphor for the way humanity treats the planet. Furthermore, the film exposes the similarities between the oppression of the feminine¹ and the exploitation of nature. The asymmetry of the relationship between the author and Mother is the best example of this. He is egocentric; she is devoted. She is young; he is much older. He has full control over events, while her opinion is never considered. He benefits from his higher status; she is relegated to being a housekeeper, wife, and muse.

Throughout the film, Mother’s sole objective is to care for her husband and their home. The author, on the other hand, is obsessed with his success and the love his fans show him. This obsession drives him to let his followers take advantage of Mother and create chaos in their home.

Ironically, art imitates reality here. Jennifer Lawrence, who dated the director during the filming of Mother!, revealed that she ruptured her diaphragm and was pushed to the point of hyperventilation by Aronofsky during the film’s climax. This incident was used in its entirety in the film. Such an asymmetrical relationship, mixing love and power, is too often seen in the film industry.

¹ The term feminine refers here to all individuals who identify as female.

Reference :

Director/creator : Darren Aronofsky
Title : Mother!
Date of parution : 2017

This movie is available on Amazon Prime.