By Jenn Arias ’23
Staff Writer
Released in March, 2022, Sandra Oh inspires terror as Amanda in the new horror film, Umma. The film follows Amanda and her daughter Chris (Fivel Stewart). They live on an off-the-grid farm without any form of electricity. After she learns that her mother passed, Amanda’s uncle brings her remains. Fear ensues when Umma (Korean for “mother”) refuses to be put to rest without her daughter.
This film utilizes the lack of electricity to inspire dark overcast scenes with the haunts lurking in the background, adding an ominous layer to even sunny scenes. Amanda refuses her Korean heritage to embrace a completely American lifestyle, but her Korean history comes back in the form of her mother, whom she is required to honor in a proper and authentic burial.
Struggling to uncover Amanda’s history, a side that’s always been closed off, Chris discovers her mother’s painful, violent past that demands honor and refuses to leave them in peace.
While this film has plenty of jump scares, the climax leaves something to be desired. With a familiar plotline, the film wraps up in an expected way, but the path to get there seems less climatic and more of another jump-scare to promote the storyline. While we are easily given the background necessary to understand the plot, the ending seemed rushed.
Sandra Oh’s portrayal is satisfyingly creepy. Stewart’s performance is genuine in her moody, rebellious, yet loving role as Chris. An original story line for a horror movie is difficult to come by in this world of remakes. Horror fans will be delighted with this tale of painful love and familial obedience that lasts beyond the grave. Just don’t forget to hug your umma for good luck.
