"Mother's Day" is sick, silly and inane and yet it definitely is the greatest thing Troma Productions ever brought forward! There's quite a big crowd of fans that consider "Mother's Day" to be a pure genre classic, and even though I'm not that enthusiast about it, I really think it's an amusing mixture of grotesque splatter, eerie suspense and effective social satire. For their annual university reunion weekend, three girl friends go camping near the lake of Deep Baron's; just a couple of hours outside New Jersey. The area is deserted, apart from one cabin where a totally deranged elderly lady raised her middle-aged two sons to be perverted maniacs, skilled in torturing people and protecting their mommy from possible intruders. The girls are captured and serve as sleaze-toys for the two sickos. Poor Jackie doesn't survive the first night and when the other two manage to escape, they swear to avenge their departed college sister. The cool thing about "Mother's Day" is that it successfully blends two very popular contemporary horror sub genres at once! Two thirds of the film are like a typical hillbilly backwoods slasher in the trend of "Deliverance" and "Just Before Dawn" whereas the finale is genuine revenge/vigilante exploitation, like "Last House on the Left" and "I spit on your Grave". This is most likely the only Troma film that pays attention to atmosphere and set pieces! Even some of the violence is kept off screen to increase the disturbance factor, and that surely isn't producer's Lloyd Kaufman's usual style. Still, most of the dialogues are extremely poor and some of the gags and references towards other cinema classic are painfully lame. The end-sequence, on the other hand, is terrific and left room for a sequel that unfortunately never came.. If you only watch ONE Troma movie in your life, make sure it's either this one or "Bloodsucking Freaks".
131 Reviews
One of the few likable Troma films
BandSAboutMovies13 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Co-written and produced by Charles Kaufman, brother of Troma Entertainment co-founder Lloyd Kaufman, this is a rough affair all about an insane woman and her two even crazier sons capturing and torturing three young women. It's our thank you to mothers everywhere - happy Mother's Day!
A bunch of hippies are about to graduate from a Growth Opportunity workshop, which is a very 1970's affair. Two of them, Terry and Charlie, plan to rob and kill an old woman who gives them a ride home. They didn't expect Ike (Frederick Coffin, Alone in the Dark) and Addley, the woman's two sons, to come out of the woods and cut off Charlie's head. And then Mother herself chokes out Terry.
Now it's time to meet our heroines, three women who have been friends for a long time (the Rat Pack!) who reunite every year for a camping trip. Abbey, Jackie and Trina are having a blast in the woods when the boys abduct them in their sleeping bags, then torture and abuse them.
The next day, Abbey and Trina make their escape, yet discover the dead bodies of Terry and Charlie, as well as Jackie who has been destroyed and left in a drawer. Meanwhile, Queenie, Mother's deformed and werewolf-like sister who feeds on dead animals, has been sighted in the woods.
Jackie dies of her wounds as the Abbey and Trina make a plan of revenge against the brothers. They dispatch of Addley and then Ike jumps out of a window to attack them, but gets Drano poured down his throat, a TV dropped on his head and is finally killed with an electric carving knife. Then, they use inflatable breasts to suffocate Mother.
After burying Jackie in the woods, the girls attempt to leave, but Queenie leaps to attack as the credits roll. This would be surprising if it wasn't ruined by so many of the trailers.
If this film looks like it was shot in a grimy murder house, well, it's because it was. It was shot in an abandoned house in Newton, New Jersey that had been empty for 15 years, with the original owner being killed inside the home and another body had been found just prior to filming.
Beatrice Pons was billed as Rose Ross and Frederick Coffin was billed as Holden McGuire due to their membership in the Screen Actor's Guild prohibiting them from appearing in non-union films. In fact, Beatrice was supposedly so eager to accept the lead role that she voluntarily breached SAG's "Global Rule One" policy, by changing her name!
There's also an insane Hollywood party opening, packed with old men and young women hooking up, roller skating, coke snorting and a butler with a long coat and no pants. This scene feels like it inspired the Boogie Nights pool parties scenes at Jack Horner's house.
Mother's Day was kind of, sort of remade in 2010 with Rebecca De Mornay as Mother. It isn't as well regarded as this film. While a Troma movie, I tried not to hold it against this one.
It's a pretty simple, quick moving affair. And well worth checking out. Maybe you shouldn't share it with your mom, though. Get her some chocolates or something.
A bunch of hippies are about to graduate from a Growth Opportunity workshop, which is a very 1970's affair. Two of them, Terry and Charlie, plan to rob and kill an old woman who gives them a ride home. They didn't expect Ike (Frederick Coffin, Alone in the Dark) and Addley, the woman's two sons, to come out of the woods and cut off Charlie's head. And then Mother herself chokes out Terry.
Now it's time to meet our heroines, three women who have been friends for a long time (the Rat Pack!) who reunite every year for a camping trip. Abbey, Jackie and Trina are having a blast in the woods when the boys abduct them in their sleeping bags, then torture and abuse them.
The next day, Abbey and Trina make their escape, yet discover the dead bodies of Terry and Charlie, as well as Jackie who has been destroyed and left in a drawer. Meanwhile, Queenie, Mother's deformed and werewolf-like sister who feeds on dead animals, has been sighted in the woods.
Jackie dies of her wounds as the Abbey and Trina make a plan of revenge against the brothers. They dispatch of Addley and then Ike jumps out of a window to attack them, but gets Drano poured down his throat, a TV dropped on his head and is finally killed with an electric carving knife. Then, they use inflatable breasts to suffocate Mother.
After burying Jackie in the woods, the girls attempt to leave, but Queenie leaps to attack as the credits roll. This would be surprising if it wasn't ruined by so many of the trailers.
If this film looks like it was shot in a grimy murder house, well, it's because it was. It was shot in an abandoned house in Newton, New Jersey that had been empty for 15 years, with the original owner being killed inside the home and another body had been found just prior to filming.
Beatrice Pons was billed as Rose Ross and Frederick Coffin was billed as Holden McGuire due to their membership in the Screen Actor's Guild prohibiting them from appearing in non-union films. In fact, Beatrice was supposedly so eager to accept the lead role that she voluntarily breached SAG's "Global Rule One" policy, by changing her name!
There's also an insane Hollywood party opening, packed with old men and young women hooking up, roller skating, coke snorting and a butler with a long coat and no pants. This scene feels like it inspired the Boogie Nights pool parties scenes at Jack Horner's house.
Mother's Day was kind of, sort of remade in 2010 with Rebecca De Mornay as Mother. It isn't as well regarded as this film. While a Troma movie, I tried not to hold it against this one.
It's a pretty simple, quick moving affair. And well worth checking out. Maybe you shouldn't share it with your mom, though. Get her some chocolates or something.
A yearly watch!
mrhowell-8669910 May 2021
I introduced this Troma gem to my partner when we first started dating. She is a wonderful mom and an avid horror movie fan. We now watch it every year on Mother's Day. It's just the right mix of funny, gory and '80s cheese.
Very well done for its kind
mord397 October 2000
MORD39 RATING: *** out of ****
Let's get something straight: This movie is offensive. It features an old mom urging her two misfit sons to brutally rape, torture, abuse, and murder young women for her entertainment. BUT IT'S BRILLIANT, AND WELL DONE FOR ITS TYPE.
With a shlocky piece of exploitation like this, we rarely if ever get a story and character development in the mix. The story of a group of young women planning a weekend getaway for their reunion celebration first provides us with background history detailing their personalities and personal problems. We get to know these girls...and once they get "caught" by the family of crazies, we share their dilemma.
I might also say that the surprise beginning really grabbed me (I first saw the movie in a theatre in 1980 and had no clue what was going to happen), and the ending is also pretty good.
As gruesome as these killers are in the film, you almost feel for them too. You sense that the imbecile sons are victims of their overbearring mother, and have had no proper upbringing to keep them from being such animals. Even mother is pathetic in a pitiful way.
MOTHER'S DAY will probably never be respected, and it is not for everybody. But I respect it and feel it stands out far in front of zillions of other exploitation/slasher knock-off's.
Let's get something straight: This movie is offensive. It features an old mom urging her two misfit sons to brutally rape, torture, abuse, and murder young women for her entertainment. BUT IT'S BRILLIANT, AND WELL DONE FOR ITS TYPE.
With a shlocky piece of exploitation like this, we rarely if ever get a story and character development in the mix. The story of a group of young women planning a weekend getaway for their reunion celebration first provides us with background history detailing their personalities and personal problems. We get to know these girls...and once they get "caught" by the family of crazies, we share their dilemma.
I might also say that the surprise beginning really grabbed me (I first saw the movie in a theatre in 1980 and had no clue what was going to happen), and the ending is also pretty good.
As gruesome as these killers are in the film, you almost feel for them too. You sense that the imbecile sons are victims of their overbearring mother, and have had no proper upbringing to keep them from being such animals. Even mother is pathetic in a pitiful way.
MOTHER'S DAY will probably never be respected, and it is not for everybody. But I respect it and feel it stands out far in front of zillions of other exploitation/slasher knock-off's.
do not watch this
steffentera14 May 2001
I saw this movie yesterday night. And I didn't know the movie was gonna blow so hard. It's a total piece of sh*t. I couldn't believe how much it sucked. It was one of those 3 pretty and defenseless old college roommates who spend their little reunion in the woods. Of course there are some horny rapist rednecks and their deranged mom that try to kill them. Of course this was another one of those 80's horror/slasher movies. This was supposed to be scary but I almost fell asleep. You really should not see this movie but if you want to see a complete ripoff then be my guest. I give this 1/2 * out of *****.It was completely sh*tty.
A Camp Disaster You can't Look Away From
Neon_Gold25 November 2021
This movie is completely insane.
It has every single idea and the kitchen sink shoved into a script. It is so unhinged it just seems to bounce around from scene to scene franticly. It is so fun to watch.
I also think there are bones of a great story buried in here somewhere. The relationship between the main characters is heartwarming sometimes, it just needs polishing up.
The villains however, Jesus Christ. They are like evil cartoon characters that may also be stunt men but also amateur actors?? They are the most bizarre horror villains I have ever seen. They have no purpose for what they do, the things they do are just insane and I don't mean like killing people.
This movie is a slasher/horror but it has like comedy/coming of age flashbacks that feel like they are out of a totally different movie. This is honestly one of the most insane films, it has a mind of its own.
And I didn't know if it knew what it was doing was going to make people laugh. One of the final parts is the most bizarre thing Iv seen but from my understanding it's meant to be serious? But it's hilarious.
Watch this movie but be warned there is one very uncomfortable scene that I really wish wasn't in this movie because it's gross and takes away from this camp disaster.
It has every single idea and the kitchen sink shoved into a script. It is so unhinged it just seems to bounce around from scene to scene franticly. It is so fun to watch.
I also think there are bones of a great story buried in here somewhere. The relationship between the main characters is heartwarming sometimes, it just needs polishing up.
The villains however, Jesus Christ. They are like evil cartoon characters that may also be stunt men but also amateur actors?? They are the most bizarre horror villains I have ever seen. They have no purpose for what they do, the things they do are just insane and I don't mean like killing people.
This movie is a slasher/horror but it has like comedy/coming of age flashbacks that feel like they are out of a totally different movie. This is honestly one of the most insane films, it has a mind of its own.
And I didn't know if it knew what it was doing was going to make people laugh. One of the final parts is the most bizarre thing Iv seen but from my understanding it's meant to be serious? But it's hilarious.
Watch this movie but be warned there is one very uncomfortable scene that I really wish wasn't in this movie because it's gross and takes away from this camp disaster.
Pointless, gratuitously violent and degrading
mdm-118 October 2004
I saw this film in its theatre release. I have never viewed any movie with more gratuitous violence. The plot was meant to deliver suspense, when all the viewer gets is more senseless violence.
The 2 male lead actors are repulsive morons who kidnap 3 young women, for the sole purpose of tieing them up and repeatedly raping them -- all to the apparent delight of their elderly (yet no less deranged) mother. Eventually the victims turn tables on their captors.
What a wonderful Mother's Day present! Disgusting and sick. This film is an embarrassment to the industry! What message is such a women-hating film sending to adolescent males (who likely comprise almost the entire target audience). Is rape cool? Do women ask for it? Is violence fun? These are the images shown in this so called piece of "entertainment". And we wonder why we are such a violent society.
The 2 male lead actors are repulsive morons who kidnap 3 young women, for the sole purpose of tieing them up and repeatedly raping them -- all to the apparent delight of their elderly (yet no less deranged) mother. Eventually the victims turn tables on their captors.
What a wonderful Mother's Day present! Disgusting and sick. This film is an embarrassment to the industry! What message is such a women-hating film sending to adolescent males (who likely comprise almost the entire target audience). Is rape cool? Do women ask for it? Is violence fun? These are the images shown in this so called piece of "entertainment". And we wonder why we are such a violent society.
Twisted Slasher
maxineedwards-7878428 September 2021
A trio of girlfriends go into the woods for a camping getaway and end up kidnapped and terrorized by a deranged woman and her two vicious sons.
More Last House on the Left than Friday the 13th, Mother's Day is a sick and twisted film that still has a decent sense of humor most of the time. The three leads are likable enough to root for them to break out of the hell they're going through and the three villains are admirably evil and disgusting enough to give you the creeps and pray that the three leads will give them a taste of their own medicine.
More Last House on the Left than Friday the 13th, Mother's Day is a sick and twisted film that still has a decent sense of humor most of the time. The three leads are likable enough to root for them to break out of the hell they're going through and the three villains are admirably evil and disgusting enough to give you the creeps and pray that the three leads will give them a taste of their own medicine.
Macabre Mother's Day
Fernando-Rodrigues23 July 2021
Better Than It Should be Troma Hixploitation Film
Reviews_of_the_Dead21 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was a movie that I'll be honest, I don't think I knew existed until I saw the remake. I took that home as a pre-street as it sounded interesting and then realized there was this film. Doing my research I knew this was Troma so I had some expectations for films that came from this company. I did also know about the basic premise here as well. To get into this, the synopsis is two brothers kidnap and brutalize three women for the pleasure of their demented mother.
We start this in a gymnasium where Ernie (Robert Collins) is finishing up a self-help seminar. At the end of it, an older woman is talking with a younger couple. The older woman goes by Mother (Beatrice Pons) while the other woman is Terry (Luisa Marsella) along with her boyfriend of Charlie (Stanley Knapp). Mother offers them a ride and we see the couple has something in store for her. That gets thwarted by her two sons, Ike (Frederick Coffin) and Addley (Michael McCleery). The former wears a pilot's helmet while the other wears a sack mask. This trio takes care of the couple.
The movie then gives us an interesting introduces to our three main characters. We don't get to see them, but we get to see pictures in the form of a slideshow. They are from 10 years ago at Wolfbreath College. There is Abbey (Nancy Hendrickson), Jackie (Deborah Luce) and Trina (Tiana Pierce). It seems like they're getting ready to graduate. They've dubbed their group The Rat Pack and they make a promise that every year, they will drop whatever they're doing to get together.
We then shift to the present. Abbey lives in Chicago with her mother who is quite overbearing. She gets a telegram from Jackie as does Trina, who is now living in Beverly Hills. She has quite the party of some film people. Jackie lives in New York City with her boyfriend Ted (Kevin Lowe). We see he's lazy and steals money from her wallet. It is an interesting introduction that Jackie is a push-over when it comes to guys.
The plan is the three meet up with Jackie. They're going camping in New Jersey in an area called Deep Barons. A storekeeper, Scott Lucas, tries to tell them not to go there, but when they make a mess in his store, he gives up. They go out into the woods and recount events from their past. They're not alone though. On their second night, they are taken by Ike and Addley. They bring them to Mother. It becomes a nightmare that they weren't expecting and a fight for survival.
That is where I'm going to leave my recap for this movie, as it doesn't have the deepest story. What I will say though, there is some good writing here still in introducing things early into the movie and then having it play back in. That is something that I can really give appreciation to. I won't spoil things, but there is one in particular that gets introduced during the slideshow that helps these women in their survival.
What I think also works is the depth of the characters as well. Abbey is established that she lives with her mother. Her mother is bedridden and quite nasty. This is interesting as the movie draws parallels with Mother that she has to battle against in the woods. Jackie gets established that she is a push-over when we see her with Ted. Her friends do expand on this and this includes a story with an ex she had of The 'Dobber' (Peter Fox). Trina does get as much fleshing out, but we know that she is strong-willed and successful. I do really buy their friendship.
Where I want to shift next is that I find this movie interesting that it came out in 1980. This is the beginning of the slasher era, but I don't necessarily think it could fall into that. It does feel like an early one when it starts. If anything, I would say that this is more like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre or The Hills Have Eyes. They are backwoods family that is picking off those that come around their area, making it more hixploitation Something I do have as a negative is the story of Queenie that gets introduced. This feels like the director or writers saw Friday the 13th and doing a bit of copying there if I'm going to be honest. I don't hate that it is introduced and then used, but it doesn't add much for me. There is also some I Spit on Your Grave and The Last House on the Left in this as well and I'd say, some of the violence against women is a bit much and not necessarily needed.
Another issue I had was with the setting. I think it is funny that it is set in New Jersey as the first thing. Being that this is from Troma, that is their stomping grounds. Being in the woods is good for isolation. My issue though is how easy they navigate the woods. The people living out there makes sense, but our ladies as they fight back don't seem to have a lot of issues getting back to their car or finding each other. Being out in the woods is disorienting and the movie loses that for me.
Since this movie is really built on the characters and the effects, I'll go to the former next. I don't think anyone here is going to win awards, but they bring life to their characters. Hendrickson feels like she is her character of Abbey. Luce and Pierce I would say do as well. I liked all three of them. I'd also say that Coffin, McCleery and Pons play their characters well. My issue is that they're over the top. The movie seems to want to give them personality and it makes them less scary for making them as whimsical as they do. Aside from that, I'd say the rest of the cast is fine in rounding this out for what was needed.
I'll then go to the other part I brought up, which are the effects. This movie actually doesn't have as much as I expected it to have. There are some brutal scenes though, especially when it comes to a rape scene we see. I will say that it isn't as tough to watch as some of the other movies I've referenced or seen, so that is good for the movie. We get some really good practical effects. The blood is a bit orange, but I have a soft spot there. There is just one scene that I remember seeing that I didn't hold up, but in the grand scheme I'll take it. The cinematography is pretty solid as well. Going back to borrowing from Friday the 13th, we definitely get transitions that are similar there.
Then really the last thing I want to delve into would be the soundtrack. I'll be honest, I dug what they were doing. It has that 70's vibe and it really just hits an era that I'm a fan of. I wouldn't say that this soundtrack is great or one that I'll seek out. It does work for me though. I did also enjoy the sound design of the movie with things that they're watching on television. There is one scene in particular with Trina that worked for me.
In conclusion here, I'm glad that I finally ticked this movie off my blind-spot list. This feels like an early slasher, but really plays more like a hixploitation movie. I think bright spots are the acting of our leads, the villains are bit comical while still working. Most of the effects were pretty solid for me and I think the soundtrack worked. There are some bad decisions that are made by characters. The movie doesn't use its setting as well as it could. There is also some violence against women that doesn't feel needed to me. I'm positive on this movie though. I'd say it is an above average movie. Some minor tweaks and this could have been a good one for me.
My Rating: 6.5 out of 10
We start this in a gymnasium where Ernie (Robert Collins) is finishing up a self-help seminar. At the end of it, an older woman is talking with a younger couple. The older woman goes by Mother (Beatrice Pons) while the other woman is Terry (Luisa Marsella) along with her boyfriend of Charlie (Stanley Knapp). Mother offers them a ride and we see the couple has something in store for her. That gets thwarted by her two sons, Ike (Frederick Coffin) and Addley (Michael McCleery). The former wears a pilot's helmet while the other wears a sack mask. This trio takes care of the couple.
The movie then gives us an interesting introduces to our three main characters. We don't get to see them, but we get to see pictures in the form of a slideshow. They are from 10 years ago at Wolfbreath College. There is Abbey (Nancy Hendrickson), Jackie (Deborah Luce) and Trina (Tiana Pierce). It seems like they're getting ready to graduate. They've dubbed their group The Rat Pack and they make a promise that every year, they will drop whatever they're doing to get together.
We then shift to the present. Abbey lives in Chicago with her mother who is quite overbearing. She gets a telegram from Jackie as does Trina, who is now living in Beverly Hills. She has quite the party of some film people. Jackie lives in New York City with her boyfriend Ted (Kevin Lowe). We see he's lazy and steals money from her wallet. It is an interesting introduction that Jackie is a push-over when it comes to guys.
The plan is the three meet up with Jackie. They're going camping in New Jersey in an area called Deep Barons. A storekeeper, Scott Lucas, tries to tell them not to go there, but when they make a mess in his store, he gives up. They go out into the woods and recount events from their past. They're not alone though. On their second night, they are taken by Ike and Addley. They bring them to Mother. It becomes a nightmare that they weren't expecting and a fight for survival.
That is where I'm going to leave my recap for this movie, as it doesn't have the deepest story. What I will say though, there is some good writing here still in introducing things early into the movie and then having it play back in. That is something that I can really give appreciation to. I won't spoil things, but there is one in particular that gets introduced during the slideshow that helps these women in their survival.
What I think also works is the depth of the characters as well. Abbey is established that she lives with her mother. Her mother is bedridden and quite nasty. This is interesting as the movie draws parallels with Mother that she has to battle against in the woods. Jackie gets established that she is a push-over when we see her with Ted. Her friends do expand on this and this includes a story with an ex she had of The 'Dobber' (Peter Fox). Trina does get as much fleshing out, but we know that she is strong-willed and successful. I do really buy their friendship.
Where I want to shift next is that I find this movie interesting that it came out in 1980. This is the beginning of the slasher era, but I don't necessarily think it could fall into that. It does feel like an early one when it starts. If anything, I would say that this is more like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre or The Hills Have Eyes. They are backwoods family that is picking off those that come around their area, making it more hixploitation Something I do have as a negative is the story of Queenie that gets introduced. This feels like the director or writers saw Friday the 13th and doing a bit of copying there if I'm going to be honest. I don't hate that it is introduced and then used, but it doesn't add much for me. There is also some I Spit on Your Grave and The Last House on the Left in this as well and I'd say, some of the violence against women is a bit much and not necessarily needed.
Another issue I had was with the setting. I think it is funny that it is set in New Jersey as the first thing. Being that this is from Troma, that is their stomping grounds. Being in the woods is good for isolation. My issue though is how easy they navigate the woods. The people living out there makes sense, but our ladies as they fight back don't seem to have a lot of issues getting back to their car or finding each other. Being out in the woods is disorienting and the movie loses that for me.
Since this movie is really built on the characters and the effects, I'll go to the former next. I don't think anyone here is going to win awards, but they bring life to their characters. Hendrickson feels like she is her character of Abbey. Luce and Pierce I would say do as well. I liked all three of them. I'd also say that Coffin, McCleery and Pons play their characters well. My issue is that they're over the top. The movie seems to want to give them personality and it makes them less scary for making them as whimsical as they do. Aside from that, I'd say the rest of the cast is fine in rounding this out for what was needed.
I'll then go to the other part I brought up, which are the effects. This movie actually doesn't have as much as I expected it to have. There are some brutal scenes though, especially when it comes to a rape scene we see. I will say that it isn't as tough to watch as some of the other movies I've referenced or seen, so that is good for the movie. We get some really good practical effects. The blood is a bit orange, but I have a soft spot there. There is just one scene that I remember seeing that I didn't hold up, but in the grand scheme I'll take it. The cinematography is pretty solid as well. Going back to borrowing from Friday the 13th, we definitely get transitions that are similar there.
Then really the last thing I want to delve into would be the soundtrack. I'll be honest, I dug what they were doing. It has that 70's vibe and it really just hits an era that I'm a fan of. I wouldn't say that this soundtrack is great or one that I'll seek out. It does work for me though. I did also enjoy the sound design of the movie with things that they're watching on television. There is one scene in particular with Trina that worked for me.
In conclusion here, I'm glad that I finally ticked this movie off my blind-spot list. This feels like an early slasher, but really plays more like a hixploitation movie. I think bright spots are the acting of our leads, the villains are bit comical while still working. Most of the effects were pretty solid for me and I think the soundtrack worked. There are some bad decisions that are made by characters. The movie doesn't use its setting as well as it could. There is also some violence against women that doesn't feel needed to me. I'm positive on this movie though. I'd say it is an above average movie. Some minor tweaks and this could have been a good one for me.
My Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Very Unlike Your Usual Troma Movie
kittyelizabethfarmer4 July 2021
When I saw that Troma produced this, I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch this. While I enjoy their films, I wasn't in the mood for something as silly as those usually are. Mother's Day, thankfully, isn't quite like any other Troma film I've seen. It's mean, bleak, and nasty at times, but also has just enough of a sense of humor to keep the movie from being unbearable.
In the film, three girlfriends reconnect for a weekend of camping and are captured by two redneck brothers and their psychotic mother who want to use them for their own sick and twisted games.
When Mother's Day wants to get nasty, it goes all the way in. The disturbing moments stick with you and make you feel lousy and disgusted. You really root for these girls to overcome their troubles and get revenge which makes the final act so much more satisfying.
In the film, three girlfriends reconnect for a weekend of camping and are captured by two redneck brothers and their psychotic mother who want to use them for their own sick and twisted games.
When Mother's Day wants to get nasty, it goes all the way in. The disturbing moments stick with you and make you feel lousy and disgusted. You really root for these girls to overcome their troubles and get revenge which makes the final act so much more satisfying.
An absolute must watch for horror enthusiasts
kevin_robbins18 May 2023
Mother's Day (1980) is currently available on Tubi. The storyline follows three young ladies off on a camping trip. Little do they know a mother and her two boys live in the woods looking to torture and have their way with young ladies. Can they band together and survive their attackers or will they be their next victims?
This movie is directed by icon Charles Kaufman (Jakarta) and stars Tiana Pierce (The Concrete Jungle), Nancy Hendrickson (Boomers), Deborah Luce, Beatrice Pons (Car 54, Where Are You?), Robert Carnegie (Knight Rider) and Robert Collins (The Ref).
This is a movie that's horror element relies on the characters and circumstances more than gore and brutal kills. Most of the good kills are at the very beginning and very end. I will say the opening car scene is very well done and was probably my favorite scene in the movie. The cast delivers entertaining performances. The dialogue is hilarious and well written and the circumstances are random and fun. The mother and her two sons are perfectly depicted and the victims/torture scene had a "I Spit on Your Grave" feel to it. The opening party made me wish I was there. That had to be a fun scene to create.
Overall, this is far from perfect but an absolute must watch for horror enthusiasts. I would score this a 7/10 and strongly recommend it.
This movie is directed by icon Charles Kaufman (Jakarta) and stars Tiana Pierce (The Concrete Jungle), Nancy Hendrickson (Boomers), Deborah Luce, Beatrice Pons (Car 54, Where Are You?), Robert Carnegie (Knight Rider) and Robert Collins (The Ref).
This is a movie that's horror element relies on the characters and circumstances more than gore and brutal kills. Most of the good kills are at the very beginning and very end. I will say the opening car scene is very well done and was probably my favorite scene in the movie. The cast delivers entertaining performances. The dialogue is hilarious and well written and the circumstances are random and fun. The mother and her two sons are perfectly depicted and the victims/torture scene had a "I Spit on Your Grave" feel to it. The opening party made me wish I was there. That had to be a fun scene to create.
Overall, this is far from perfect but an absolute must watch for horror enthusiasts. I would score this a 7/10 and strongly recommend it.
Are you proud mother?
pughspencer29 August 2022
I was expecting a pretty trashy early 80s Rape & Revenge flick, and that's exactly what I got. But honestly I thought it was made better than I thought it was gonna be. Rape and revenge films is the only type of horror genre I hate so it's no surprise this one disgusted me like many others. But compared to others I've seen it wasn't the most graphic. Don't get me wrong it's pretty graphic & a lot of scenes with the girls getting assaulted was hard to watch almost, but I think I've seen much more violent movies than this. My favorite thing about the movie though was the friendship and bond between the three girls. They're pretty likeable and it was heartbreaking to see them tortured so rough. But we all know movies like this the Killers always get what they deserve and it is very much satisfying. The mother and the two brothers while cartoonish play their parts pretty well. Although I didn't laugh at any humor cuz I don't think movies like this should have humor. And I must say I didn't expect the mother to meet her end like that 😐. Their house was also quite something to look at. Piles of trash in every corner you have no problem believing this is a crazy redneck house. The movie has themes of consumerism and it's all throughout with stuff like a box of Trix cereal and a Sesame Street clock. I must also say while the ending had a bit of a setup it came off pretty out of place and ridiculous.
What more can I say it's definitely an experience for sure & definitely had effort put into it. But again as someone who hates seeing women get assaulted it's not for me.
What more can I say it's definitely an experience for sure & definitely had effort put into it. But again as someone who hates seeing women get assaulted it's not for me.
Good Stuff
Drac-730 December 1999
This film is certainly not for everybody, but it is actually so refreshing to see a movie that is done in this way. It is exploitation at it's finest. It is comedy at it's most tragic! A simple plot mixed with darn good acting, and impressive makeup effects...you really can't go wrong.
In my opinion, while still in the same vein as Last House on the Left and I Spit on your Grave, it is not as good. Spit being the best of the 3, but each of them has something to offer.
If you're not sure you can watch it, let me give you this scene as an example...one deranged man rapes a woman while his brother takes Kodak Polaroids, and their mother instructs them and leads them on...sound bad, yeah, but take it for what it is. Silly, odd disturbing nonsense. But it was more a "mood" movie, based around the characters and settings vs. the horror of rape and disturbing shots. This kind of horror sound like your thing? Then you're in luck, it's worth it.
In my opinion, while still in the same vein as Last House on the Left and I Spit on your Grave, it is not as good. Spit being the best of the 3, but each of them has something to offer.
If you're not sure you can watch it, let me give you this scene as an example...one deranged man rapes a woman while his brother takes Kodak Polaroids, and their mother instructs them and leads them on...sound bad, yeah, but take it for what it is. Silly, odd disturbing nonsense. But it was more a "mood" movie, based around the characters and settings vs. the horror of rape and disturbing shots. This kind of horror sound like your thing? Then you're in luck, it's worth it.
This early Troma movie is not as shoddy or as exploitative as you would think
Colbridge11 August 2023
Mother's Day is sick, twisted and demented but this is a Troma movie and they wouldn't want it any other way! Falling somewhere between a regular slasher of the 1980's and early tropes of what a Troma movie has come to represent (exploitation, graphic gore, cartoon violence, surreal ideas, dark humour and of course a very low budget) this early effort from founder and producer Lloyd Kaufman and his kid brother director Charles Kaufman find their way into the horror market with quite a well made and albeit controversial film that I was ready to dislike but found strangely compelling.
Later Troma movies feel more tacky, more self deprecating, silly and shoddy but Mother's Day wants to earn it's horror chops so it's not quite as extreme or as exploitative as later output from the studio however this is still an uncomfortable watch as it effortlessly sucks you into a world of depravity.
A group of girl friends go camping for their annual meet up only to be violently attacked by two strange feral like men who rape, kill and torture just for fun, with the twist here being they are doing it to gain their Mother's approval and for her amusement. The family are clearly insane and should be locked up but they are on the loose for our entertainment and it's up to the group of friends to survive the ordeal and fight back.
Veteran actress Beatrice Pons, best known for being in the 1960's TV sitcom Car 54, Where Are You hams it up to chilling effect as the sick Mother who demands more depravity from her sons who are more than willing to please her every whim. The characters are not as one dimensional as you might expect from a movie like this and it has some shocking moments of gore to keep horror fans happy but the overall feel of hopeless dread, decay and filth is where it's most effective with tense moments and consistent nastiness of the brothers played with terrifying glee by Michael McCleery and Gary Pollard.
Troma would go on to develop cult characters, be more extreme with horror and violence and add a dark cartoonish humour to the likes of The Toxic Avenger (1984), Sgt Kabukiman N. Y. P. D. (1990) and Class of Nuke 'em High (1986) to name of few. Followed by a remake in 2010.
Later Troma movies feel more tacky, more self deprecating, silly and shoddy but Mother's Day wants to earn it's horror chops so it's not quite as extreme or as exploitative as later output from the studio however this is still an uncomfortable watch as it effortlessly sucks you into a world of depravity.
A group of girl friends go camping for their annual meet up only to be violently attacked by two strange feral like men who rape, kill and torture just for fun, with the twist here being they are doing it to gain their Mother's approval and for her amusement. The family are clearly insane and should be locked up but they are on the loose for our entertainment and it's up to the group of friends to survive the ordeal and fight back.
Veteran actress Beatrice Pons, best known for being in the 1960's TV sitcom Car 54, Where Are You hams it up to chilling effect as the sick Mother who demands more depravity from her sons who are more than willing to please her every whim. The characters are not as one dimensional as you might expect from a movie like this and it has some shocking moments of gore to keep horror fans happy but the overall feel of hopeless dread, decay and filth is where it's most effective with tense moments and consistent nastiness of the brothers played with terrifying glee by Michael McCleery and Gary Pollard.
Troma would go on to develop cult characters, be more extreme with horror and violence and add a dark cartoonish humour to the likes of The Toxic Avenger (1984), Sgt Kabukiman N. Y. P. D. (1990) and Class of Nuke 'em High (1986) to name of few. Followed by a remake in 2010.
A Unique Horror Film; Very Overlooked
slimer848913 January 2015
As a fan of Troma and Lloyd Kaufman, I must say that this film is excellent in the horror genre. When I first saw this, I was 15 and it was in June. I thought of it as a good, but "meh" film. Just recently, I picked up the DVD at Barnes & Noble (the DVD has excellent transfer, by the way), I gave it another watch, and I totally LOVED IT!!! Firstly, I love the idea of not just one crazy psychotic killer, but a whole family of them. Ike and Addley (the two sons) are very underrated killers in horror, and should be recognized more. My favorite scene has got to be the opening scene where the man gets killed with a machete. It creates the mood for this film, and both the setup and execution are excellent. A great use of slow-mo for this scene.
Second, the characters are wonderful. I feel bad for Jackie. All her life, she has been pushed over and used. I'm not gonna give anything away, but I feel bad for what happens to her.
Finally, I love how we get to see how the killers spend their days. I love how Ike and Addley live and act like children. I can certainly feel something when Ike says "You killed my brother!" It sounds just like something a little boy would say, and the way he says it is child-like, too.
Overall, this movie is wonderful. Definitely a movie I don't regret picking up at Barnes and Noble (unlike the Wayne's World 2-for-1 pack, which had no special features, whereas the separate DVDs had tons). But sadly, this is one of those movies where people like to look at it as an abomination of some sort to the world of film. I think people should learn to have fun with this film. Just go in to this film with a fun mood.
And oh yeah, the remake. Well, I've heard bad reviews on this one (but that doesn't stop me from seeing a movie), and judging by the cover, it doesn't have the charm that the original one had. It looks like one of those horror movies where everything is serious, everyone is cranky, and there are cuss words up the butt. But then, I saw the special features on the Mother's Day (1980) DVD, and a majority of them feature the director of the remake. He seemed really passionate about the original and seemed like a guy who wouldn't want to screw up the original when it comes to a remake. I don't really plan on seeing this remake in the future, but I might for curiosity's sake, and the enthusiasm of the director. I must say, he is really energetic about the original film. He tried looking for the actors who played Ike and Addley (but couldn't find them, since the names of the actors were supposedly aliases), has interviewed the director, and has told his life story about his interest in the film. I like this guy.
EDIT: The director of the remake was only in one special feature, the actual person I was referring to was Eli Roth, and the movie he wanted Ike and Addley in was Cabin Fever, not Cabin in the Woods. Sorry about that.
Second, the characters are wonderful. I feel bad for Jackie. All her life, she has been pushed over and used. I'm not gonna give anything away, but I feel bad for what happens to her.
Finally, I love how we get to see how the killers spend their days. I love how Ike and Addley live and act like children. I can certainly feel something when Ike says "You killed my brother!" It sounds just like something a little boy would say, and the way he says it is child-like, too.
Overall, this movie is wonderful. Definitely a movie I don't regret picking up at Barnes and Noble (unlike the Wayne's World 2-for-1 pack, which had no special features, whereas the separate DVDs had tons). But sadly, this is one of those movies where people like to look at it as an abomination of some sort to the world of film. I think people should learn to have fun with this film. Just go in to this film with a fun mood.
And oh yeah, the remake. Well, I've heard bad reviews on this one (but that doesn't stop me from seeing a movie), and judging by the cover, it doesn't have the charm that the original one had. It looks like one of those horror movies where everything is serious, everyone is cranky, and there are cuss words up the butt. But then, I saw the special features on the Mother's Day (1980) DVD, and a majority of them feature the director of the remake. He seemed really passionate about the original and seemed like a guy who wouldn't want to screw up the original when it comes to a remake. I don't really plan on seeing this remake in the future, but I might for curiosity's sake, and the enthusiasm of the director. I must say, he is really energetic about the original film. He tried looking for the actors who played Ike and Addley (but couldn't find them, since the names of the actors were supposedly aliases), has interviewed the director, and has told his life story about his interest in the film. I like this guy.
EDIT: The director of the remake was only in one special feature, the actual person I was referring to was Eli Roth, and the movie he wanted Ike and Addley in was Cabin Fever, not Cabin in the Woods. Sorry about that.
The mother of all-time bad Troma horror movies.
ironhorse_iv12 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Someone had some mommy issues when making this turd. Honestly, this movie was pretty bad, even for a produced movie from Troma Entertainment. It was just ridiculous. Director Charles Kauffman, the brother of Troma founder, Lloyd Kauffman, really make a movie that most mothers wouldn't like, nor even want to see it. While the violent, rape, and murder might be disturbing, it's not entertaining. The film is gritty, had awful humor wherever it was, and the effects weren't wonderful. At least Lloyd's films you could get a kick out of it. Charles's films are just lame. The story is about three girls go into the forest for vacation and discover that two men are willing to do anything order by Mother (Beatrice Pons AKA Rose Ross). Mother like watching her sons commit acts of rape and murder, why? He don't know why. She's just evil. A good back story would be interesting. Kinda unbelievable character without explaining what reason she does this to the women. Anyways these women are now prisoners tortured by these two redneck idiots and their insane mother. Can any of them escape, alive or will they become another victim? Honestly, I don't care. Those three women are the most annoying creatures in the film. The opening of the film is just three girls talking, talking over photos, then talking on the phone, talking during the trip, and talking
talking
Yes, it's just three bothersome girls schmoozing, not knowing how to shut up. They are not even likable, as in one scene, they wear paper bags over their head and destroy a grocery store for no reason. So when they seek revenge on the two idiots, it's over the way campy. Who knew you can suffocating somebody with a plastic boob? The death scenes are just dumb. A television slamming on somebody head when it's not plug in, yet it's makes weird electronic sounds is stupid. The continuity are just as bad. In the opening decapitation scene, blood is spatters across the car before the decapitation. There are a lot of continuities issues in the film, to the point, it would take a whole page to show every detail. There were a few plot holes too like in the scene where a girl is lowered out of the window in a sleeping bag by her friend, yet comes back upstairs straight after to free her friend, and does not even have to unlock the door. If the door was unlocked, she could have just walked out rather than going out of the window. There a lot of stupid filler scenes. Example are the training montage with a rip-off Rocky theme, the debate of disco over punk music, and a guy stripping to 'I Think We're Alone Now' by 1960s bubblegum pop band Tommy James & the Shondells. I doubt that was the only music star feature in this film. It's just funny that the first victim in the movie, looks like Lady Gaga. That alone sold me. The movie soundtrack is just not scary, it's more a goofy tone. Another problem in the film is the boom mic visible and stupid mistakes like remembering what state they are in. The city scene opens with a caption that reads "Chicago" yet the doorman states that they are in New York. Who does that? You got a downtown with the NYC landscape with a singing cookie woman and with the bum yelling "Rockafeller makes a million dollars a day." Who knew that Chicago looks so similar to New York City? By the way, I know many Troma films contain social commentary, but what is the point of showing them if it's not relatable to anything else in the film. The ending is a bit of a disappointing. The movie talk throughout the film about the mother having an evil sister named Queeny that roaming the woods who eat people? It would be awesome if they have, show that. I think the movie isn't scary at all, but what I heard about the production is, a bit scary. Prior to filming, a dead body was found in the house used in the film. The house used in the film was an actual house in the woods of Newton, New Jersey. No one had lived there for 15 years prior to filming. The previous owner of the home was murdered there. Also at the same area where they were filming. Shot across the lake at the same time was the original Friday the 13th (1980) was being filmed. Why couldn't I be watching that? Nevertheless, this movie was remake in 2010's with the same name. Everything about that 2010 remake is different besides the title. So I wouldn't call it a remake. Still, this movie will always be that vile mean-spirited turd gift that would ruins mother's day if given to anybody to watch.
Not as bad as it sounds
preppy-322 June 2003
Three women go out on their annual trip to the woods where they fish, talk, smoke and enjoy themselves. They are kidnapped by two moronic hillbilly men who bring them home for their mother. They rape, torture and beat one of the woman to death while the mother watches. The other two escape and plot their revenge.
This movie isn't as bad as it sounds. The violence and gore here is strong and disturbing but I found this a lot less offensive than "Last House on the Left" and "I Spit on Your Grave". Those two seemed to find some sort of pleasure out of showing innocent women being tortured, raped and beaten. This movie doesn't come off that way. We identify with the women from the very beginning and are rooting for them all the way through. The mother and her sons are shown as sick, repellent people from the beginning. The violence is, as I said, strong but this movie has very little nudity like the other two do. And the finale is certainly a rouser (in a sick sort of way).
The acting is surprisingly not bad. No one is fantastic, but no one is horrible either. The actress playing the mother is especially good. Also for a low budget picture this looks incredibly good--bright vivid colors and professionally shot. Good music score too which perfectly fits the mood of the picture.
It isn't perfect-it has its dull spots, the comedy is terrible and the ending was just lousy. Still, if you have a strong stomach and want a taste of good old graphic 80s horror, this is for you!
This movie isn't as bad as it sounds. The violence and gore here is strong and disturbing but I found this a lot less offensive than "Last House on the Left" and "I Spit on Your Grave". Those two seemed to find some sort of pleasure out of showing innocent women being tortured, raped and beaten. This movie doesn't come off that way. We identify with the women from the very beginning and are rooting for them all the way through. The mother and her sons are shown as sick, repellent people from the beginning. The violence is, as I said, strong but this movie has very little nudity like the other two do. And the finale is certainly a rouser (in a sick sort of way).
The acting is surprisingly not bad. No one is fantastic, but no one is horrible either. The actress playing the mother is especially good. Also for a low budget picture this looks incredibly good--bright vivid colors and professionally shot. Good music score too which perfectly fits the mood of the picture.
It isn't perfect-it has its dull spots, the comedy is terrible and the ending was just lousy. Still, if you have a strong stomach and want a taste of good old graphic 80s horror, this is for you!
Rapist's-eye-view
Isau15 January 2003
This movie left me feeling dirty. It's not "scary" exactly, nor is it suspenseful...nor, for that matter, does it really have a plot to speak of. It's basically a home video of rednecks raping city girls (who later get revenge, but that doesn't seem to be the real point of the movie). It's not sexy enough to be porn and not scary enough to be horror; instead, when it's not boring, it's just sick.
My score: 3/10. Watchable perhaps for students of feminism, cultural studies, or for die-hard horror fans. Perhaps also doable at 4am when nothing else is on. Otherwise, too exploitive to register.
My score: 3/10. Watchable perhaps for students of feminism, cultural studies, or for die-hard horror fans. Perhaps also doable at 4am when nothing else is on. Otherwise, too exploitive to register.
Mama, we're all crazee now!
BA_Harrison13 December 2008
Mother's Day is not only one of the earliest productions from Troma Studios, but it is also one of their more accomplished efforts (which, to be honest, isn't difficult given some of the absolute tripe they have made since they began). Although the film at first appears to be your typical Kaufmann/Herz trash, with amateurish acting, cartoonish characters, and an occasional attempt at puerile humour (the scene with the gormless stud left naked in the baseball field is a good example of this), it gradually develops into an irresistible combination of dark satire and straight-up, nasty exploitation.
Part Texas Chainsaw Massacre, part Last House on the Left, and part Friday the 13th, with just a little bit of Deliverance thrown in for good measure, Mother's Day is a gleefully twisted take on the popular backwoods horror sub-genre. Deep in the wilderness, 'mother' can enjoy all that she considers good about the city (popular culture via TV, and cheap consumer goods) without actually having to live there; the only drawback is that she lives in constant fear of attack from her savage sister Queenie, who lives wild in the woods. Fortunately she is protected by her two devoted and demented homicidal sons, Ike (Holden McGuire) and Addley (Billy Ray McQuade).
In order to keep her boys in tip-top fighting condition, she has trained them in the art of combat, using abducted hitch-hikers and back-packers to practise their techniques on. The terrible twosome bite off more than they can chew, however, when they kidnap three young women who are spending their weekend camping in the area: after one of the girls is raped and murdered by the sicko siblings, the remaining pair plan their escape and wreak bloody vengeance on their captors (attacking them with a variety of objects, including an axe, a TV set, and some Drano!).
With its wicked parody of consumerism (the hideous family greedily devour junk food and collect mass-produced merchandising), wry swipes at new-age thinking and motherhood, and a fun 'surprise' ending, this film manages to be smarter than your average Troma tat, whilst still delivering the raw violence and sleaze that fans demand.
What a shame Troma didn't continue in this vein, rather than resorting to churning out countless Z-grade B-movies designed to appeal to undiscerning adolescents.
Part Texas Chainsaw Massacre, part Last House on the Left, and part Friday the 13th, with just a little bit of Deliverance thrown in for good measure, Mother's Day is a gleefully twisted take on the popular backwoods horror sub-genre. Deep in the wilderness, 'mother' can enjoy all that she considers good about the city (popular culture via TV, and cheap consumer goods) without actually having to live there; the only drawback is that she lives in constant fear of attack from her savage sister Queenie, who lives wild in the woods. Fortunately she is protected by her two devoted and demented homicidal sons, Ike (Holden McGuire) and Addley (Billy Ray McQuade).
In order to keep her boys in tip-top fighting condition, she has trained them in the art of combat, using abducted hitch-hikers and back-packers to practise their techniques on. The terrible twosome bite off more than they can chew, however, when they kidnap three young women who are spending their weekend camping in the area: after one of the girls is raped and murdered by the sicko siblings, the remaining pair plan their escape and wreak bloody vengeance on their captors (attacking them with a variety of objects, including an axe, a TV set, and some Drano!).
With its wicked parody of consumerism (the hideous family greedily devour junk food and collect mass-produced merchandising), wry swipes at new-age thinking and motherhood, and a fun 'surprise' ending, this film manages to be smarter than your average Troma tat, whilst still delivering the raw violence and sleaze that fans demand.
What a shame Troma didn't continue in this vein, rather than resorting to churning out countless Z-grade B-movies designed to appeal to undiscerning adolescents.
How is Raping Women scary?
lordzedd-312 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I'm sorry, I am generally a fan of the Trauma movie company. But this is the worst thing they ever made and they have made some stinkers, I tell you what. But this doesn't even make sense, where was the Police, when enough people disappear in a general area the Police would investigate. If there Hikers go missing the Police and volunteers would search for them. What, when hikers disappear in these woods, the people go "Oh well, their dead" and move on? What? That doesn't even make sense. I'm sorry but watching women get raped is not scary to me, it's just sick and sick is not scary. Plus, she calls herself a woman, allowing her sons to rape women. What is her problem? I'm going on and on. But Llyod, do us all a favor and burn the original negative and forget your company ever made this crap. THE NOOSE!
Should be praised as a work of B 80's Horror genius.
Tierneyweiser31 July 2008
This was definitely ones of the finest horror exploration films to come out of the early 80's. It was made with a budget of about 150,000 and went on to influence many a horror film after. I had waited around 2 years to get my hands on this movie and am very excited i can now put it in my horror collection. The theme of the movie is extremely dark from the beginning. There's a lot of very dark humor through-out that you cant help chuckle at at least once. I think all the actors did a terrific job. The two hillbilly pervert rapist ex-Semper Fi sons play there parts extremely well. The mother is just crazy and creepy to watch but you cant help laugh at some of the dialogue they gave that women. All three of the girls do an excellent job showing sheer terror and are believable when they decide to fight back against the mother and her sons at the end. All and all definity worth a watch to any true fan of the horror and a great addition to your horror collection.
A nice surprise!
markovd1117 February 2023
You don't expect much when you are about to watch a movie as notorious as this one. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised how good this movie is. First of all, our three heroines are more interesting and likable than more than half of the characters that appear in the genre. Their chemistry is great and first half an hour of the movie look like a comfy girl road trip movie. Then they get captured by the crazy family and we actually care for them. But, the thing is, girls are smart and capable of taking care of themselves and it's such a refreshment from helpless heroines or over the top ones on the other hand. The rest of the movie is filled with a lot of tension and thrills, until the girl decide to bring the fight back to the family. There is a lot of humour in the movie and I genuinely laughed on some of the scenes. All in all, it is what it is. It's satirical, it's over the top, it's exploitative (features an infamous rape scene) and the cheap ending scene can go to hell, but all taken into account, "Mother's Day" is a movie made with love and care and despite it's low budget it manages to be an entertaining ride. I recommend to horror movie fans and to casuals who can stomach some brutality because the movie is far from a travesty and pure mindless violence as some make it to be.
A bizarre assault on the senses
lizzylane-8515131 May 2018
Leaves you with an awful, dreary feeling. Almost feels like a homemade video of some murderous inbreds. Frightening but trashy. Cheesy but believable. Corny but scary. I don't know how to describe it, I do know that I never want to see it again because of the horrible drearyness it left me with.
Early 80's cultural satire wrapped in a gory exploitative shell
marleymom-226 February 2000
I like this movie. When I was a teenager and I first saw it I loved it. Of course then I was enthralled with gore fests. This movie is definitely gory but when I was 13 the satirical vibe was somewhat lost on me. You see Mother moves her two "mama's boys" to the woods. Where she can take what is good from the city and leave the rest behind. What is "good" are all the things you see on TV from Fonzie to breakfest cereals. The house they live in is a marvel of production values. Two thirds of the budget alone had to have gone into decorating the house. It certainly didn't go into the Special effects. Such as the shoddy moment of blood spattering before decapitation occurs. As early 80's slice and dice goes this far outshines the typical camper in peril scenerio. We are introduced to the three main (victims) characters and we even get meaningful flashbacks in their lives. This makes it a little harder to take when they are brutalized. All in all Mother's Day ain't Life is Beautiful but why would you be that aisle of the video store unless you wanted to see some inbred choke on Drano.
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