Rob Munday
What do you really want from a horror film? For many of us, it’s the monster – the chilling creature at the heart of the story and the mythology that gives it power. In Dark Mommy, filmmaker Courtney Eck delivers exactly that: a haunting, unforgettable new figure in horror cinema, and a short film that lingers long after the credits roll.
Inspired by a viral Reddit thread about the creepiest things parents have heard their children say, Dark Mommy begins in classic horror fashion – a small town, a lonely night, and a man on the night shift. As we follow Ben, a 911 operator, we watch as his quiet routine is shattered when reports of a monster begin to flood in.
Ben Chandler stars as a 911 operator about to have a very strange night.
From there, the tension rises with expert – if somewhat familiar – precision, until the film’s titular creature finally reveals herself — and what a reveal it is. The way she looks, the way she moves, and the power she exerts over the townspeople mark Dark Mommy as an exciting new addition to the pantheon of horror monsters.
“Dark Mommy is about the cold, uncaring and unpredictable nature of the universe, the sustained nightmare of living in bodies that are in constant threat of disenfranchisement”, Eck reveals as we discuss her film. Through Ben’s eyes, we experience that nightmare firsthand as Dark Mommy’s presence distorts his reality and consumes the town. Her influence is brief but devastating – a glimpse of pure terror that leaves us wanting more.
The inclusion of contortionists, alongside some truly effective sound design adds a real “twist” to the story.
The film’s final moments are nothing short of iconic. Casting the incredible Uranbileg Angarag, alongside a team of contortionists, was a masterstroke that brings an uncanny, physical intensity to the movements of the monster and the enchanted townspeople. Combined with striking cinematography from S/W alum James Gannon (who also co-wrote the film), and meticulous work in wardrobe and makeup, the result is a creature that feels both mythic and deeply unsettling.
Though Dark Mommy appears on screen for less than a minute in total, her impact on us is undeniable. Like the townsfolk under her spell, we’re completely enthralled – and desperate for more. With our recent feature on Horror Shorts That Spawned Features, don’t be surprised if Dark Mommy soon finds itself among them.