Jennifer Lawrence’s box office bomb “mother!” has unexpectedly climbed the ranks of streaming charts years after its divisive theatrical release, demonstrating a renewed interest in the film despite its initial infamy. The psychological horror, which stunned audiences and earned an F CinemaScore, is now drawing fresh attention as viewers revisit it on various platforms.
From Critical Failure to Streaming Hit
When Darren Aronofsky’s “mother!” opened in 2017, Paramount was fully aware of the controversy it risked. Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, the movie’s polarizing style and shocking narrative led opening night viewers to give it a rare F grade on CinemaScore, a sign of extreme audience dissatisfaction. Such infamy typically casts a long shadow, but in this case, it transformed the film into a subject of ongoing fascination and curiosity among movie fans.
After its release, “mother!” became a regular topic in film circles, especially due to the involvement of top-tier talents like Lawrence—a factor that only increased its cult appeal. As a result, the film continues to resurface on popular streaming services. According to FlixPatrol, “mother!” was the ninth-biggest film on Paramount+ as of June 12, garnering 41 points on the platform’s trending chart. Although it trailed behind blockbusters like Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” and Joseph Kosinski’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” its resurgence is notable given its controversial history.
Box Office Struggles and Industry Response
Upon its original release, “mother!” sharply divided critics and audiences alike. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 68% critic score, with the site’s consensus stating,
There’s no denying that Mother! is the thought-provoking product of a singularly ambitious artistic vision, though it may be too unwieldy for mainstream tastes.
The audience score remains lower at 52%. Despite a casting lineup featuring A-listers such as Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Kristen Wiig, and supporting actors Brian Gleeson and Stefan Simchowitz, the film failed to meet box office expectations.
With a reported production budget of $30 million, “mother!” grossed approximately $45 million worldwide—a figure well below its presumed break-even mark of $60 million. Paramount, however, defended its decision to back the film during its financial disappointment.
This movie is very audacious and brave. You are talking about a director at the top of his game, and an actress at the top her game. They made a movie that was intended to be bold. Everyone wants original filmmaking, and everyone celebrates Netflix when they tell a story no one else wants to tell. This is our version. We don’t want all movies to be safe. And it’s okay if some people don’t like it,
the studio asserted, standing by both Aronofsky and Lawrence.
Future Projects for Aronofsky and Lawrence
“Mother!” marked the first collaboration between Jennifer Lawrence and Darren Aronofsky after his earlier success with the biblical epic “Noah,” a film which grossed $350 million worldwide. Aronofsky later directed “The Whale,” a psychological drama that won Brendan Fraser an Oscar and achieved over $50 million in global earnings in 2022. Aronofsky’s upcoming movie, “Caught Stealing,” will feature Austin Butler in the lead role.
Jennifer Lawrence’s career has also continued to flourish in the wake of “mother!” She is set to star alongside Robert Pattinson in Lynne Ramsay’s new film “Die My Love.” The film’s cast also includes familiar faces like Ed Harris, Kristen Wiig, Brian Gleeson, and Stefan Simchowitz—all of whom contributed to “mother!”’s ensemble.
Shifting Perception and Cultural Impact
The renewed interest in “mother!” on streaming services such as Paramount+ underscores how audience perceptions can change over time. Once considered a commercial failure and critically debated, the film is finding a new audience willing to engage with its provocative style and ambitious storytelling. In the evolving landscape of streaming, movies that once struggled at the box office, like “mother!,” can gain a second life and even influence future industry trends regarding bold, original filmmaking.
