Everything You Need to Know About the New Thriller Mothers’ Instinct Starring Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain
by Tara Price
12th January, 2024
If you are a fan of psychological thrillers, you might want to keep an eye out for Mothers’ Instinct, a new movie starring Oscar winners Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. The movie is a US remake of the Belgian film Duelles, which was based on the novel of the same name by Barbara Abel. The movie is set in the 1960s and follows the lives of two best friends and neighbours who become enemies after a tragic accident involving one of their children. Here is everything you need to know about Mothers’ Instinct, from the plot and the cast to the release date and the trailer.
What is the plot of Mothers’ Instinct?
Mothers’ Instinct is a drama and thriller movie that explores the dark side of maternal love and the psychological effects of grief and guilt. The movie centres on Alice and Celine, two housewives who live in a suburban neighbourhood with their successful husbands and sons of the same age. Alice and Celine are inseparable and share everything, from their daily routines to their secrets. Their perfect harmony is shattered when one of their sons dies in a tragic accident while under Alice’s care. Celine blames Alice for the death of her child and becomes obsessed with protecting her surviving son from any harm. Alice, on the other hand, feels guilty and paranoid that Celine is plotting to harm her and her family. A gripping battle of wills ensues as the two women spiral into madness and violence.
Who are the main cast members of Mothers’ Instinct?
The movie stars Anne Hathaway as Celine and Jessica Chastain as Alice, the two friends and mothers at the centre of the story. Hathaway and Chastain are both acclaimed actresses who have won Oscars for their performances in Les Misérables and The Eyes of Tammy Faye, respectively. They have also starred together in two previous movies, Interstellar and Armageddon Time, but this is the first time they share scenes.
The movie also features Josh Charles and Anders Danielsen Lie as their respective husbands, and Caroline Lagerfelt in an undisclosed role. Charles is best known for his roles in The Good Wife and Dead Poets Society, while Lie is a Norwegian actor who has appeared in movies such as The Worst Person in the World and 22 July. Lagerfelt is a veteran actress who has starred in shows such as Gossip Girl and The Blacklist.
Who is the director and writer of Mothers’ Instinct?
Masset-Depasse was originally slated to direct the remake; however, the film marks the directorial debut of acclaimed French cinematographer Benoît Delhomme. Delhomme has worked as a director of photography for movies such as The Theory of Everything, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, and At Eternity’s Gate. He said that he was drawn to the story of Mothers’ Instinct because it is a rare female-driven thriller that explores the complexity of human emotions.
The screenplay is adapted by Sarah Conradt from the novel of the same name by Barbara Abel, a Belgian author of suspense novels. Conradt is a screenwriter who has written for TV shows such as Castle and Stalker. Abel is a bestselling author who has won several awards for her books, including the Prix Cognac and the Prix des Lycéennes de ELLE.
Is Mothers’ Instinct a remake of another movie?
Yes, Mothers’ Instinct is a US remake of the Belgian movie Duelles, directed by Olivier Masset-Depasse and released in 2018. The original movie was critically acclaimed and won several awards, including nine Magritte Awards (the Belgian equivalent of the Oscars), among them Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The original movie was also selected as the Belgian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
When and where will Mothers’ Instinct be released?
The release date and distribution details of Mothers’ Instinct have not been announced yet, but the movie is expected to come out sometime in 2024. The movie is produced by Anton, Freckle Films, and Mosaic and financed by Anton and Riverstone Pictures. Freckle Films is Chastain’s own production company, which she founded in 2016 with the aim of creating more opportunities for women in the film industry. Mosaic is a management and production company that has been involved in movies such as The Other Guys, Bad Teacher, and The Disaster Artist.
What is the genre and rating of Mothers’ Instinct?
Mothers’ Instinct is a drama and thriller movie with elements of mystery and horror. The movie has not been rated yet, but it is likely to be suitable for mature audiences as it deals with themes such as death, grief, violence, and mental instability. The movie is also set in the 1960s, and the costumes, hairstyles, and props reflect the period. The movie also features some songs from the era, such as “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes and “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore.
What are some of the trivia and behind-the-scenes facts about Mothers’ Instinct?
Some of the interesting facts about the movie are:
- This is the third movie starring Hathaway and Chastain, after Interstellar (2014) and Armageddon Time (2022). However, this is the first in which they share scenes.
- Hathaway said that this is one of the hardest roles she has played and that she almost backed out of the film because she didn’t know if she could go there as an actress.
- The movie was filmed in New York and Connecticut in late 2020 and early 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast and crew followed strict health and safety protocols, and the production was completed without any major issues.
- The movie is set in the 1960s, and the costumes, hairstyles, and props reflect the period. The movie also features some songs from the era, such as “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes and “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore.
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