SPOILER ALERT

“Mother!”, directed by Darren Aronofsky, has spurred up both positive and very negative reviews by critics. Some viewers were so disturbed that they left the movie in the midst of its madness, and some appreciated the complex plot of this mystery/drama.

Aronofsky is known for his crazy sense of direction. His movies like “Black Swan” and “Requiem for a Dream” have left confusion and controversy but have also provided viewers who seek something different than mainstream dramas something satisfying.

“By all means, go to “Mother!” and enjoy its roller-coaster-of-weird exhibitionism,” said   Owen Gleiberman from Variety. “But be afraid, very afraid, only if you’re hoping to see a movie that’s as honestly disquieting as it is showy.”

“Don’t listen to anyone who natters on about how intense or disturbing this movie is; it’s a hoot!” said A.O Scott from NY Times.

The plot contains a couple who seem to live in the middle of nowhere. Their home is perfectly put together–supposedly because of Jennifer Lawrence’s (mother) hard work in restoring the home. Javier Bardem (him) is the husband of Lawrence who is a writer experiencing writer’s block. Randomly, a man comes to their door and asks if he can stay at the house. Despite Lawrence’s worries, Bardem insists, stating that this could help him with his writer’s block. The next day, the man’s wife arrives and to stays with Lawrence and Bardem. Soon, the couple’s son arrives and we learn that the father who first showed is dying. The son comes to see his father and talk about his will, which will leave money behind to him, but the second son shows up, enraged. He is enraged at the fact he will not be receiving any money that the father is leaving. The scene ends when the second son kills his brother over jealousy of money.

This sounds like a simple a common plot, but it has many allegories behind it. Aronofsky used stories from the Bible to explain many parts of the movie. The man and woman who come represent Adam and Eve. The mischievous character of the wife perfectly represents how the Bible portrays Eve. The story of Cain and Abel in the Bible shows the scene where the young brother kills his brother because of jealousy.

The movie later continues to use stories of the Bible to represent its purposes, and we learn that Lawrence is “mother nature” and Bardem is supposed to represent “God.”

Many viewers were not aware that this movie would be a psychological thriller rather than a horror and left with dismay and confusion. But after research, the movie made perfect sense. The stories from the Bible explained the gut-wrenching scenes in this thriller and made it somewhat more discomforting.

I found the movie extremely interesting and compelling. It was different to see so many uses of allegory throughout the plot, and although it was horrific at times, it was fun to pick apart its meaning and try to distinguish all of its complexities.

This movie is not for the mainstream movie lovers. It’s not a drama with the usual cliche plot, and that is affecting some people’s opinions of it.