Blumhouse concluded its 2026 theatrical calendar with the release of Other Mommy, a supernatural thriller featuring Jessica Chastain. While the film secured a modest opening, it has faced significant backlash from both critics and viewers.
The $19 Million Gamble and the $28 Million Opening
The supernatural thriller Other Mommy launched with a three-day domestic gross of approximately $28 million, according to the report. This performance follows a $19 million production budget, suggesting a profitable start despite the overwhelmingly negative reception from the public.
However, the opening was lower than other recent Blumhouse titles. As the source reported, Insidious: From Out of the Further earned $25.1 million and Obsession brought in $17.2 million, though the long-term viability of Other Mommy is questioned due to poor word-of-mouth and low user ratings.
Why 50 Jump Scares Couldn't Save an 18% Critic Score
Critics have been brutal toward Other Mommy, leaving it with a dismal 18% rating on Rotten Tom. Reviewers cited rushed pacing and incongruent visual effects as primary failures that undermined the film's tension.
Director Rob Savage reportedly included 50 jump scares in the film, but this volume failed to mask a lack of emotional depth. The film's 46% audience score makes it the second-worst Blumhouse release of the year, trailing only Strung, which sat at 43%.
How the Lack of Press Screenings Fueled the Backlash
The marketing for Other Mommy initially generated buzz through trailers featuring an eerie doppelgänger of Jessica Chastain skulking beneath a kitchen table. However, Universal Studios and Blumhouse sparked suspicion by announcing there would be no pre-release press screenings for critics.
This decision led to a flood of social media complaints just before the film's debut, as fans interpreted the move as a sign of poor quality. When a few previews finally leaked, the resulting negative reviews confirmed the audience's fears, leaving the performance of Jessica Chastain to be viewed by some as "so-bad-it's-good."
Shifting Focus to Mike Flanagan's The Exorcist: Martyrs in 2027
The struggle of Other Mommy marks a disappointing end to a lukewarm period for Blumhouse . the studio is now pivoting toward a 2027 slate that includes River, Paranormal Activity, and Mike Flanagan's The Exorcist:Martyrs.
Additionally, studio executive Curry Barker is set to collaborate with the creator of Obsession for a May 2027 release titled Anything but Ghosts. This shift suggests that Universal Studios is relying on established horror brands and proven creators to recover from the 2026 slump, while other Universal releases like Focker-in-Law and Violent Night 2 remain on schedule.
The Gap Between Josh Malerman's Novel and the Screen
Other Mommy is an adaptation of the 2024 novel Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman. While the book's premise of a haunted isolated home provided a strong foundation, the film's execution has been ridiculed for lacking the depth of the source material.
It remains unclear why the transition from Malerman's prose to Rob Savage's direction resulted in such a disconnect , particularly regarding the character dynamics involving Jay Duplass and Arabella Olivia Clark. The report does not specify if the studio considers the film a failure or if they believe the 5.5/10 user rating is sufficient for a low-budget horror entry.
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