‘Other Mommy’ Is Now the Worst-Received Wide Release of 2026, and Even ‘Madame Web’ Scored Better With Audiences

When Universal began promoting ‘Other Mommy‘ this summer, the pitch seemed almost foolproof. Jessica Chastain’s unsettling dual role earned a viral trailer placement ahead of ‘The Odyssey’, and horror fans were primed for a big October scare. In a year when the genre has been breaking records, the film looked like the next sure thing.

That optimism was grounded in real numbers. ‘Obsession’ crossed $520 million worldwide, and A24’s ‘Backrooms’ opened to $81.4 million on its way to roughly $400 million globally. Tracking for ‘Other Mommy’ reflected that momentum, with forecasts ranging from about $17 million to as high as $35 million for its opening weekend.

The opening weekend has now delivered a very different story. ‘Other Mommy’ is sitting at 19% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 47% audience score and a D+ from CinemaScore. That combination makes it the worst-received wide release of 2026 so far.

The comparison making the rounds is a painful one. ‘Madame Web’, which won Worst Picture at the Razzies, earned a C+ CinemaScore and a 53% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. In other words, both audiences and critics have been harsher on Rob Savage’s horror film than they were on that notorious superhero flop.

#TheGrade is in and it’s a D+ for #OtherMommy. https://t.co/h6K6WjnUlV https://t.co/D0D0AgOXpQ

— CinemaScore (@CinemaScore) October 10, 2026

Universal never screened the film for U.S. press, and when the reviews finally landed, the Rotten Tomatoes score started at 17%. ScreenRant’s Josh Bate gave it 4 out of 10, calling it misguided and saying its horror elements fall flat. Variety’s critic called it one of the most limp and ineffectual films of the year, particularly criticizing its uncertain tone.

Other reviewers pointed to the same trouble spots. They described the film as swinging between horror comedy and slow-burn dread, with set pieces that feel overworked and little to support them dramatically. Even IGN’s Carlos Morales, who praised Chastain’s performance and noted a few effective jump scares, said the lack of originality leaves the drama thin.

The CinemaScore is arguably the more alarming number. Opening-night crowds are typically the most forgiving audience a film will ever get, because they are the people who most wanted to be there. A D+ from that group is rare, and it points to trouble ahead.

Social media reaction has not helped. Reports note that viewers have been mocking the film online, which can quickly turn a weak opening into a punchline. For a movie that was sold on its scares, becoming a meme for the wrong reasons is not the outcome Universal wanted.

The business side is more nuanced. Thursday previews brought in more than $3.5 million, and the film was expected to take the top spot at the box office despite the reviews. With a production budget under $20 million, even a front-loaded run could still turn a profit for Universal and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.

The danger lies in the second weekend. Analysts have warned that bad word of mouth could produce a drop as steep as 70%. That would limit the film’s long-term earnings, even if the opening looks respectable on paper.

First look at an eerie crying billboard for ‘OTHER MOMMY’, starring Jessica Chastain. The film follows a young girl who is threatened by a sinister demon that looks exactly like her mother. https://t.co/4g0jwHVQE6

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 8, 2026

The reception also stings for the filmmakers. Savage broke through with ‘Host’ and later directed ‘The Boogeyman’, which opened to about $12 million. ‘Other Mommy’ adapts Josh Malerman’s novel ‘Incidents Around the House’ and is produced by James Wan.

At 17% on 23 reviews, the film debuted with Wan’s lowest Rotten Tomatoes score as a producer since ‘Saw 7’, which reached 9% in 2010, and ‘Saw V’, which landed at 13% in 2008. Chastain, meanwhile, is no stranger to horror hits. Her 2013 film ‘Mama’ opened at $28.1 million and topped the box office, and she also appeared in ‘It Chapter Two’.

For now, the story is a split screen: a solid opening on paper and a reception that looks historically poor. Whether ‘Other Mommy’ can recover through word of mouth seems unlikely given the audience scores. The coming weeks will show whether it becomes a cult curiosity or simply fades fast.

One thing is clear. In a banner year for horror, ‘Other Mommy’ will be remembered as the exception.

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