It’s no secret that I love a good villain! In honour of Mother’s Day, here’s my countdown of the 15 scariest mums in film. Note: This post references movies that contain adult themes.
15. Mrs Wormwood (Matilda)
I don’t think Mrs Wormwood got the mother’s job brief! Although not as terrifying as the Trunchbull or Matilda’s father, there’s something quite scary about a mum who simply does not care.
14. Erica Sayers (Black Swan)
This is a mum who puts the ‘hell’ in helicopter parenting! She represents the nightmare of trying to live out your ambitions through your child.
13. Mama Fratelli (The Goonies)
Mama Fratelli was a trailblazer! She provided her children with the robbery, kidnap and murder skills usually reserved for men.
12. Other Mother (Coraline)
She’s a warped version of your mum, except she wants to replace your eyes with buttons. If that’s not scary, I don’t know what is!
11. Evil Queen (Snow White)
Envious and murderous are two words not used to describe a good mother. Perhaps she needed to take a good look in her mirror, mirror and reflect on herself.
10. Amelia Vannick (The Babadook)
The perfect case study for parenting under extreme pressure. Confronting death, dark spirits and raising a troubled son by herself is enough to bring out the worst in any mum, don’t you think?
9. Mama (Mama)
Twisted and all sorts of creepy, Mama is the lingering spirit of a frustrated mother who latches onto a couple of girls she believes are hers.
8. Mommy (The People Under the Stairs)
Her claim to motherhood fame? Stealing children and ‘raising’ them as her own under the stairs of a house that’s part Addam’s Family and part maximum security prison.
7. Peyton Flanders (The Hand That Rocks the Cradle)
Another frustrated and vengeful wannabe mother, Peyton takes nannying to a whole new level. Thank goodness there are more thorough background checks these days!
6. Nola Carveth (The Brood)
She’s like a queen bee, except she spawns misshapen children. Much like worker bees, they do everything to protect their mother—including murder.
5.Vera Cosgrove (Braindead/Dead Alive)
After being bitten by a monkey-rat, she becomes the mother of all zombies and ends up eating her son. Touching.
4. Margaret White (Carrie)
She expressed her piety and religious fervour the best way she could—by beating her daughter with a Bible of course.
3. Norma Bates (Psycho)
A mother’s voice speaking from inside the mind of a Psycho. The funny thing is, she couldn’t even hurt a fly!
2. Pamela Voorhees (Friday the 13th)
There’s a saying that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Is it safe to say that Jason takes after his mum?
1. Alien Queen
The largest, smartest and foulest of her kind. If her protruding face and sharply fingered hands aren’t scary enough for you, let me point out that her blood is acid. Getting in the way of her and her babies is suicidal.
So, there you have them, the 15 scariest mums in film! Who do you think is the worst? Comment below.
x VH
Victoria Hall writes and illustrates spooky stories for kids and grown-ups. To stay up to date with Victoria's latest projects, subscribe to this blog, or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.
