When Maggie (Diane Silver) and her mother Erica (Juliette Lewis) return to the town where her mum grew up Maggie is quick to make friends. One day when seeking a passing adult to buy her new group of friends alcohol they begin a friendship with Sue Ann, or Ma (Octavia Spencer). But Sue Ann used to go to school with Erica and there are some skeletons in the closet that Ma has not yet put to rest.

Ma is a thriller/horror that fails to hit any of the targets its aiming at. It’s neither tense, thrilling or scary and fails to provide any satisfying deaths or motivation for them. The idea of a childhood trauma that has ramifications in adult life is a good one, but it is fumbled entirely here.

Add to that a teenage cast who act like they are still in drama school projects and an adult cast filled with “why are they here?” moments and it is a total misfire. Alison Janney appears briefly as a vet, Juliet Lewis feels completely out of place as an uptight mum and Luke Evans offers no impact as the man who seemingly started the series of events. Octavia Spencer is definitely better than this as well.

Avoid.