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The Second Mother

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for The Second Mother R 2015 1h 52m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 89 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Unspoken class barriers that exist within a home come crashing down when the live-in housekeeper's daughter suddenly appears.
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The Second Mother

The Second Mother

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Critics Consensus

The Second Mother's compelling characters serve an artfully drawn, thought-provoking story that's beautifully brought to life by a talented cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Tara Brady Irish Times 03/02/2016
4/5
Writer/director Anna Muylaert's beautifully shot, frequently comical take on the 'second mother' phenomenon sets the film apart from other explorations of similar material. Go to Full Review
Stephanie Merry Washington Post 09/24/2015
3.5/4
All the elements of the story fit impeccably together for a humorous and occasionally wrenching examination of relationships. Go to Full Review
Ben Sachs Chicago Reader 09/17/2015
3/4
The characters are so accustomed to keeping up appearances that they can't bring themselves to say what's bugging them. Their interactions may be mild, but the claustrophobic imagery creates the sense of being trapped in a powder keg. Go to Full Review
Yasser Medina Cinefilia 07/21/2020
7/10
Muylaert makes it very moving with his observation on mother-to-child relationships. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Iñaki Fernández de Retana Remezcla 03/09/2020
Director Anna Muylaert, who has worked as a film critic and reporter, drafted a thoughtful script and put care into directing the actors, with a big payoff. Go to Full Review
Sian Brett One Room With A View 05/04/2019
4/5
A truthful depiction of what it means to be both parent and employee, The Second Mother leaves you pondering its characters long after you've flown the nest. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Alexsander F @Aelxs Jul 19 Good Brazilian movie! See more Stephen C @bob25009 05/13/2025 Rated R for Some Language and Brief Drug Use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Henry H @RT98339632 02/06/2025 One of the greatest films I’ve ever watched! Great job See more Willian F @RT16190245 08/28/2024 Que Horas Ela Volta? (The Second Mother), is a film that delves into class relations in Brazil. With a script and direction that critique and touch on the subject sensitively, it explores the divide between employers and employees. Regina Casé gives a brilliant performance, showing the emotional depth of her character, Val. Although submissive at many moments, she reveals a strength that challenges the imposed norms. The film honestly and even uncomfortably addresses this inequality and societal prejudice, capturing the difference between social spheres with locations and aesthetics that reinforce this disparity. The Second Mother is a film that not only entertains but also provokes reflection on our society and the roles we play within it. See more Kyle M @RT77296778 08/11/2024 Writer-director Anna Muylaert refines in approaching familial estrangement to tactically confront class conflict under satisfying, subtly heartening observative study performatively bolstered. (B+) See more Marco B @Marcobuen0 05/05/2023 I loved it, simply AMAZING, the film addresses several important issues, with incredible delicacy and sensitivity. He manages to show the reality of Brazil in a raw and sensitive way, and in a sensitive and realistic way, I don't understand how there are so many people who have never seen this work, Regina Casé's performance is simply incredible, she manages to give depth and authenticity to the character which is CRAZY, the way she portrays Val is so natural and engaging that it's impossible not to get emotional. The direction is magnificent, it manages to show the different perspectives of the characters without ever getting lost in the narrative. The film is technically impeccable, the photography is beautiful and the soundtrack complements it perfectly, it is a film that touches the heart and the mind, and that deserves to be seen and discussed, not only as entertainment, but also as a form of reflection and awareness. , there is one of the proofs that when Brazilian cinema wants to make a film with personality, it succeeds. See more Read all reviews
The Second Mother

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis Unspoken class barriers that exist within a home come crashing down when the live-in housekeeper's daughter suddenly appears.
Director
Anna Muylaert
Producer
Fabiano Gullane, Débora Ivanov, Anna Muylaert, Gabriel Lacerda, Caio Gullane
Screenwriter
Anna Muylaert
Distributor
Oscilloscope Laboratories
Production Co
Africa Filmes, Globo Filmes, Gullane, Pandora Filmes
Rating
R (Some Language|Brief Drug Use)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 28, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 24, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$375.7K
Runtime
1h 52m