The 2014 film “Goodnight Mommy” was directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, who are Austrian and German. It’s a little frightening and can become serious at points, so it’s not suitable for a family movie night.
The plot revolves around two little twins who see their mother return home from facial surgery with her face covered up. The surprise is that they begin to suspect she is not their biological mother.
In the end, the film leaves you with a lot of unanswered issues, so it’s a bit of a mind-bender. If you enjoy psychological suspense, watch it, but be prepared for some spookiness and puzzles.
Mom, good night. What’s the story? (Synopsis)
This is a narrative about a family that disintegrates because they can’t communicate with one another. It used to be a joyful family of four, with a mother, father, and twin children. But things got pretty twisted up once the parents divorced.
The mother and her two children, Lukas and Elias, all die tragically. One of the twins, Elias, cannot accept that Lukas has died and begins to imagine that he is still alive. His mother initially agrees, but then she does not.
The mother decides to have surgery to transform her face and possibly her life, but she never tells Elias about it, and she never tells him about Lukas’ death. This lack of communication poses major issues.
Elias begins to suspect his mother is a fraud who is ignoring Lukas. He does some extremely awful things to her in order to be with his brother and mother in death, and it’s all very tragic and bloody. The story demonstrates how failing to communicate with one another can have disastrous effects.
Goodnight, Mommy| A Summary of the Story
Sure, let’s talk about the serious issues presented by the film “Goodnight Mommy,” as discussed by directors Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala in their interview. Please offer particular interview snippets that you’d like to discuss, and I’ll try my best to provide explanations and observations based on those excerpts.
Until tomorrow, mommy Who’s the mother? Is she actually the Mother?
The woman who lives in the house is the film’s true mother. She’s not acting or concealing anything. The family in the video used to be happy and lived in a lovely home. However, due to a divorce and the death of one of the sons, everything went bad.
Elias and Lukas, the parents, divorced, leaving the mother to fend for herself. This separation has had a significant impact on her life. She also has to deal with the death of one of her boys, which breaks her heart. She was once a popular TV show host, but it appears she no longer works in that capacity. These events and changes in their lives are critical to comprehending the film’s context and the characters’ motivations.
Mommy, good night. What made her have the procedure?
Mother’s ambition is to start afresh, which she does by undergoing plastic surgery to alter her appearance. In images relating to this procedure, her face is marked up. “I’ll play along again,” she adds near the end of the film. I’ll speak with Lukas again.” Despite her appearance, she appears to be eager to play along with Elias’ fantasies in order to communicate with him.
The film alludes at a “accident,” but it has nothing to do with Mother’s face being injured. Mother seemed to have accepted Elias’ ideas and the role he assigned to her between Lukas’ death and her operation.
She also intends to sell their home and start again, as evidenced by a video she posted on a dating website.
In an interview, the film’s creators stated that their inspiration came from a reality show in which women from various households were given second chances, and their changes astounded their children, who found their new, stunning mothers unrecognisable. This insight into the film’s origin contextualises the concept of metamorphosis and its influence on the characters.
Is Lukas Dead? Good night, Mama.
You are quite correct; the movie “Goodnight Mommy” plainly shows that Lukas has died, and Elias is picturing him throughout the most of the film. Several hints and cues in the film corroborate this:
- Mother just gives Elias breakfast, implying that Lukas is not physically present to eat with them.
- Mother can only hear Elias when the other child talks during the guessing game. This implies that Lukas is not present, and Elias is the only one conversing with her.
- Mom informs Elias at one point, “It’s not your fault Lukas died,” confirming Lukas’ death.
- Towards the conclusion, Mother expresses explicitly that she cannot see Lukas, reinforcing that he is not present.
- These hints in the film assist viewers comprehend Elias’ relationship with his mother as well as the sorrowful reality of Lukas’ disappearance.
Until tomorrow, mommy What exactly happened? What took place?
Thank you for your clarification. I now realise that the event depicted in the film was not an automobile accident, but rather Lukas drowning in the lake. The video clearly misleads viewers by linking the Mother’s face bandages with an automobile accident when, in fact, it was a sad drowning disaster involving the twins.
The scenario you described, in which the twins are playing in the lake, counting and trying to hold their breath before Lukas drowns, is a turning point in the novel. Elias’ attention during that brief moment leads to Lukas’ tragic drowning, which acts as a pivotal plot aspect and explains the film’s underlying tension. Thank you for clarifying this vital point.
Mama and Elias
According to the directors’ interview, the issue of a lack of communication is an important part of the film. It’s evident that if Mother had communicated more properly with her surviving son about his deceased sibling and her need for cosmetic surgery, the family’s issues could have been avoided or lessened. Unfortunately, she was emotionally distant and unhappy at this trying time.
Even though it is not clearly stated in the film, Mother initially agrees with Elias’ assumption that Lukas is still around. This is because she knows Lukas is very real to Elias, and it’s easier for her to pretend than face the unpleasant confrontation with Elias and the reality of Lukas’ death.
This well-intentioned act, however, unwittingly supports Elias’s belief that Lukas is still with him, resulting in a form of schizophrenia.
Mother grows tired of fulfilling this role and finally stops acknowledging Lukas. She chooses to make some adjustments in her life at the same time, including having a modest cosmetic procedure. These decisions, as well as the family’s lack of communication, contribute to the film’s uncomfortable mood and the psychological strain that develops.
suspicious behaviour by the mother
The film’s opening scenes establish the tone for the family’s difficult dynamics following Mother’s return from cosmetic surgery. Father appears to be dropping Elias off at home, and there’s tension in the air, most likely due to Father’s poor attitude.
Throughout the next few days, Mother’s behaviour is erratic and distant. She’s ordered a lot of frozen food, indicating that she’s exhausted. She refuses to speak to Lukas and, at one point, becomes physically abusive towards Elias, threatening him to stop speaking to his deceased brother.
All of these incidents, as well as her unusual behaviour, make Elias suspect that this woman is not his own mother. He wants to think she is, but Lukas’ absence and the way she acts raise concerns, contributing to the film’s rising tension and mystery in the second half. The film does an excellent job of keeping the audience guessing and wondering what’s going on in the family.
Mom, who murdered the cat? Good night.
The main question of whether the cat in the movie is real is an important aspect of the plot. It is discovered by Elias in a catacomb with fragmented human skeletons, and it’s suggested that Elias may have invented this place, and the cat is proof of his creation. The cat did not actually exist, and neither Mother nor the children killed it. Elias and Lukas believed the cat was dead because it supported their belief that Mother was a malicious imposter. This element of the cat adds to the film’s overall ambiguity and contributes to the psychological tension and mystery surrounding the characters’ perceptions and beliefs.
Why is there a lighter? Why is Lukes (Elias) so skilled at starting fires?
You are true; it is unusual and dangerous for a parent to provide their children access to a lighter. There’s no indication in the film that their house has ever had a fire, and Elias setting fire to the house earlier may not be directly related to this.
Elias is portrayed as a clever and resourceful individual who is capable of creating intricate torture techniques. Starting a massive fire with fuel could be considered as a reasonably simple technique to attain a specific aim or intended outcome in the context of the story.It’s vital to note that the film depicts a dark and unsettling story, and the individuals’ actions are motivated by their own objectives, which may or may not fit with ordinary or rational behaviour.
Scene in the Forest| Is Mom a Witch? Why are there so many bugs in the movie?
The inclusion of a witch in the film causes great perplexity for Elias because it is not the same as Mother. In Elias’ nightmares, the witch enters the forest and he strikes her, causing insects to crawl out of her. These scenes, however, are not real and do not exist.
Elias’ mental state is severely disturbed, and his obsession with bugs in his nightmares represents his feelings of remorse and culpability for Lukas’ murder. He is metaphorically “squeezing” his emotions and concerns in the same way that he does the bugs. Even the visual of insects on his background may mirror his inner turmoil and psychological pain unknowingly.
The use of cockroaches as unattractive creatures dwelling beneath the glistening surfaces by the makers emphasises the idea that there are hidden and unsettling aspects of this family’s lives beneath the surface of their supposedly wonderful home. This symbolism deepens the film’s examination of psychological and emotional problems.
Why does the priest return the children to their homes?
Thank you for confirming that the Mother and the priest do not collaborate. As he returns a runaway youngster, Elias, the priest’s actions are motivated by a sense of obligation. He appears to be aware of Mother’s distress and may be sincerely attempting to assist her.
On the other side, Elias takes matters into his own hands and ties up and tortures Mother since he believes she is an imposter. This action is a crucial turning point in the film, adding to the psychological and suspenseful mood as the plot progresses.
Who is the woman in the picture?
Your reasoning is sound. It’s clear that the woman in the picture is a friend, and it’s indicated that she once dressed similarly to Mother. This implies that no diabolical plot involving a demonic twin or a conspiracy is at work. The plot of the film is centred on the psychological tensions inside the family, with Elias’s suspicions and beliefs driving the suspense and riddles. Mother’s use of bandages for cosmetic surgery may have added to the confusion and mystery, but it does not necessarily imply a plot. Your conclusion is consistent with the premise that the film focuses on the internal dynamics of the family and the consequences of miscommunication and distrust.
Why are Mother’s eyes a different colour? Where has her mole gone?
Mother’s eye colour change and the excision of her mole may indicate that her operation involved cosmetic modifications. It’s possible that the cosmetic alterations were intended to signal a new beginning and increase her self-esteem.
The video alludes to Mother’s hesitation to share the specifics of her surgery, probably because she is frightened that her son, Elias, will not agree or understand. This unwillingness to freely communicate with Elias about her intents and fears is consistent with the film’s overall theme of miscommunication, which ultimately leads to misunderstandings and a rupture in their relationship.
These small elements are beautifully woven into the narrative, emphasising the concept that the family’s failure to communicate properly has far-reaching implications on their relationships and impressions of one another.
Different? Where has her mole gone?
Why does Mother recall the music that Lukas likes best?
You’re true; children’s tastes change frequently, and what’s “in season” can be transient, including their favourite music. As a result, it is not uncommon for children to change their interests rather quickly. It’s an inevitable part of growing up.
Regarding Elias’ disbelief and scepticism of Mother, it’s apparent that his belief in her being an imposter is strongly ingrained in his psyche, particularly the part that still believes Lukas is present. This scepticism adds to the suspense of the film and the psychological strain between Elias and Mother.
Goodnight Mommy: A Detailed Conclusion
The ending of “Goodnight Mommy” is certainly dark and up to interpretation. Elias, as you stated, takes severe and violent actions, such as glueing Mother to the floor and setting fire to the house. Both Elias and Mother’s fates remain unknown, with Mother dying in a gruesome way and Elias’ survival in doubt.
Even if Elias survives, it would be a tragic outcome because he is shown throughout the film as an emotionally damaged and unstable individual who has endured severe trauma. His behaviour and mental state indicate that he may continue to damage himself and others.
The film’s conclusion leaves the audience with a sense of dread and unanswered concerns, adding to its psychological and suspenseful character. It’s a thought-provoking ending that challenges viewers to consider the ramifications of the characters’ choices as well as the film’s overarching themes.
Changes from the original Goodnight Mother in 2022
The 2022 English adaptation of “Goodnight Mother” looks to have a different plot than the original. In this version, Elias accidently shoots Lukas to death with a loaded gun, a notable difference from the original film’s drowning scene. Mother confronts Elias about the tragedy towards the end, forcing him to accept the truth of Lukas’ death.
The finale is especially notable, with Mother falling, pushed by Elias, and Elias failing to save her. The fate of Mother’s fall is unknown, which adds to the suspense. Later, Elias imagines Mother and Lukas, and she consoles him, implying a different psychological denouement than in the original film. These adaption discrepancies result in a distinct perspective of the story and its characters.
How would you rate Goodnight Mommy? Please leave a remark below.
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