Mothers’ Instinct is a 2024 American psychological thriller directed by Benoît Delhomme, starring Anne Hathaway as Céline and Jessica Chastain as Alice. The film is a remake of Olivier Masset-Depasse’s 2019, Duelles (French movie), which was itself adapted from Barbara Abel’s 2012 novel Mothers’ Instinct. The American version premiered in the United States on July 26, 2024, and is available for streaming on platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video.
Set in the 1960s, Mothers’ Instinct takes place in a quiet suburban neighborhood where Alice and Céline live as next-door neighbors. Both women share a close friendship, and their sons, who are the same age, attend the same school. One evening, after celebrating Céline’s birthday, her son Max stays home sick the following day. While tending to her garden, Alice notices Max standing precariously on his bedroom balcony. Fearing the worst, she rushes to alert Céline, who is vacuuming inside. Tragically, before they can act, Max falls to his death.
After the tragic loss of her son, Céline begins to distance herself from Alice while growing increasingly close to Alice’s son, Théo. During this time, Céline is sent away for a month, and upon her return, she appears to reconcile with Alice. However, Alice can’t shake the feeling that Céline secretly blames her for Max’s untimely death. As tensions rise, Alice starts to suspect that Céline may be trying to harm her and her family.
The film’s emphasis on a mothers’ instinct is what makes this story so compelling. Both leads deliver stellar performances, fully embodying their characters’ complex emotions. Additionally, the production design, cinematography, and wardrobe are beautifully executed. I even snapped a photo of one of Alice’s dresses because it was so stunning. The script is well-written, allowing the audience to sympathize with both women: Céline, who is grieving the loss of her only child, and Alice, who carries the pain of losing both parents in a car accident as a teenager. Rather than pitting them against each other, the film invites empathy for both mothers, making their dynamic even more powerful.
Moreover, the chemistry between the two lead actresses feels authentic, as they convincingly portray the deep bond between two women, mothers, and wives. The character development is evident, especially by the film’s final act, where their relationship takes a dramatic turn. What begins as a heartfelt friendship gradually transforms into something much darker, leading to a tragic and unexpectedly chilling ending.
