Umma (2022)

Umma Poster

Amanda and her daughter live a quiet life on an American farm, but when the remains of her estranged mother arrive from Korea, Amanda becomes haunted by the fear of turning into her own mother.

Overview
"Umma" is a supernatural horror movie directed by Iris K. Shim and launched in 2022. The film stars Sandra Oh, who is understood for her roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "Killing Eve". The word "Umma" is the Korean term for "mother," and the motion picture is ingeniously anchored on the complex mother-daughter relationships.

Plot
Sandra Oh represents Amanda, a first-generation Korean-American female who lives a remote life with her daughter Chrissy (Fivel Stewart) on an American rural farmhouse. They make a living by repurposing discarded items, with Amanda passionate about reducing waste to reduce their carbon footprint without involving any technology. Her tranquil life gets interrupted considerably when she gets the remains of her separated, abusive mom in a box from Korea.

Suspense
As Amanda starts dealing with her mom's ashes, strange and inexplicable occasions begin happening around her, making her worry that her mother's spirit, or "Umma", might have returned. Growing up, Amanda underwent severe emotional and physical abuse by her mom, and the possibility of her mother's spirit haunting her complicates her life. Her fears are further heightened as she begins to see her mom's similarity in the reflection of herself and her technology-averse teenage daughter.

Styles
The film checks out themes of regret, motherhood, filial piety, and the damaging impacts of generational injury. Amanda's guilt over leaving her abusive mom introduces another dimension to the character, subtly exposing the complicated nature of abusive relationships. The film vividly touches on Korean traditions concerning respect for parents and the afterlife, even when those moms and dads have been violent or upsetting. It also discuss the battle of immigrants and the complicated ties to their homeland, culture, and family.

Ending
The climax of the film sees Amanda's worst worries come to life, as the spirit of her mother ends up being increasingly vengeful, causing a scary face-off. This forces Amanda to make drastic choices to safeguard her daughter and guarantee the cycle of abuse does not transfer to the next generation. The movie ends on a chilling note that leaves viewers questioning the profundity of maternal bonds and the troubling lengths to which a mother's love can go.

Important Reception
"Umma" provides a fresh and distinct viewpoint on the scary genre by integrating cultural aspects and styles of familial relationships. Sandra Oh's captivating performance supplies depth and complexity to the character of Amanda. The film's strength depends on its psychological horror, as it explores the mental ramifications of trauma more than counting on conventional scary film tropes.

Top Cast

  • Sandra Oh (small)
    Sandra Oh
    Amanda
  • Fivel Stewart (small)
    Fivel Stewart
    Chris
  • Dermot Mulroney (small)
    Dermot Mulroney
    Danny
  • Odeya Rush (small)
    Odeya Rush
    River
  • MeeWha Alana Lee (small)
    MeeWha Alana Lee
    Umma
  • Tom Yi (small)
    Tom Yi
    Mr. Kang