Jessica Chastain's 'Other Mommy' hits theatres today: 'A matter for your therapist'
Synopsis
Jessica Chastain is calling 'Other Mommy' a film best processed with a therapist — and that may be the shrewdest marketing line of the horror season. Directed by Rob Savage and adapted from Josh Malerman's novel, the psychological supernatural chiller lands in US theatres on 9 October 2026, with Chastain playing a mother facing a sinister doppelganger of herself.
Key Takeaways
Jessica Chastain stars in supernatural horror film 'Other Mommy' , releasing in the US on 9 October 2026 via Universal Pictures .
The film is directed by Rob Savage and adapted from Josh Malerman 's 2024 novel 'Incidents Around the House' .
Chastain described it as 'a delight' behind the scenes and 'a matter for your therapist' on screen, in an Instagram post.
Supporting cast includes Jay Duplass , Dichen Lachman , Arian Moayed , and Karen Allen .
Filming took place in Dublin, Ireland between May and July 2025 .
Jessica Chastain has offered audiences a tantalising and unnerving preview of her upcoming supernatural horror film 'Other Mommy', releasing in the United States on 9 October 2026. The Academy Award-winning actress described the experience as 'a delight' on set but warned it is 'a matter for your therapist' once the lights go down.
What Chastain Said
Chastain took to Instagram to share a series of behind-the-scenes photographs from the production, accompanying them with the caption: 'Behind the scenes, a delight. On screen, a matter for your therapist. OTHER MOMMY. In theatres tomorrow!' The post generated significant buzz among horror fans anticipating one of the genre's more psychologically intense releases of 2026.
What the Film Is About
'Other Mommy' is a 2026 American supernatural psychological horror film directed by Rob Savage and written by Nathan Elston. It is an adaptation of the 2024 novel 'Incidents Around the House' by author Josh Malerman, best known for his work in cerebral, dread-driven horror fiction. The story centres on Bela, an eight-year-old girl living in a household strained by marital difficulties, who comes face to face with a sinister supernatural presence emerging from her closet. The entity, which Bela names 'Other Mommy', grows progressively more threatening to her and her entire family. Chastain plays the mother who must fight to shield her daughter from the creature — one that uncannily mirrors her own appearance.
Cast and Production Details
The supporting cast includes Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed, and Karen Allen. Principal photography was completed in Dublin, Ireland between May and July 2025. The film is being distributed in the United States by Universal Pictures.
Jessica Chastain's Career and Background
Chastain has long gravitated toward roles with emotional and thematic depth, particularly projects carrying feminist undertones. Her professional journey began with a stage debut as Juliet in 1998, followed by rigorous training at the Juilliard School. She made her film debut at age 31 in the drama 'Jolene' in 2008, before her remarkable breakthrough year in 2011 when she appeared in six films, among them critically lauded dramas 'Take Shelter' and 'The Tree of Life'. She earned Academy Award nominations for her performances as an aspiring socialite in 'The Help' and as a CIA analyst in 'Zero Dark Thirty'. Major studio successes followed with science fiction entries 'Interstellar' and 'The Martian', as well as the horror blockbuster 'It Chapter Two'.
What to Expect
With director Rob Savage — whose work in the genre has drawn critical attention for its psychological precision — at the helm, and source material from Josh Malerman (whose earlier novel 'Bird Box' was adapted into a global Netflix phenomenon), 'Other Mommy' arrives with considerable pedigree. Whether it translates Malerman's slow-burn dread onto the screen as effectively as 'Bird Box' did will be the measure by which audiences and critics judge this collaboration.
Point of View
And Malerman's source material carries the commercial precedent of 'Bird Box'. The real question is whether 'Other Mommy' transcends its doppelganger premise — a well-worn horror device — or whether Chastain's performance alone elevates it into genuinely unsettling territory. Awards-season horror is a narrow lane, but Chastain has navigated it before.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Other Mommy' about?
'Other Mommy' follows Bela, an eight-year-old girl in a troubled household, who encounters a sinister supernatural entity emerging from her closet that resembles her mother. Jessica Chastain plays the mother fighting to protect her daughter from this threatening presence.
When and where does 'Other Mommy' release?
The film releases in the United States on 9 October 2026, distributed by Universal Pictures. It was filmed in Dublin, Ireland between May and July 2025.
Who directed 'Other Mommy' and what is it based on?
The film is directed by Rob Savage and written by Nathan Elston. It is adapted from the 2024 novel 'Incidents Around the House' by Josh Malerman, whose earlier work 'Bird Box' was adapted into a major Netflix film.
Who stars in 'Other Mommy' besides Jessica Chastain?
The supporting cast includes Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed, and Karen Allen.
What did Jessica Chastain say about 'Other Mommy'?
Chastain shared behind-the-scenes images on Instagram and wrote: 'Behind the scenes, a delight. On screen, a matter for your therapist.' The post was made ahead of the film's release date of 9 October 2026.
