[Review]: Mutter: The Diary of A Mother

Gül (Hazar Ergüçlü)

All aspects of motherhood are a play-by-play real life enactment of a body horror, and from its explosively bloody opening sequence, Mutter: The Diary of a Mother goes forth with the intention of showing just how horrific an affair being a mother can be. Written and directed by Alphan Eşeli, Mutter: The Diary of a Mother centres itself on a single mother living desperately on the bread line as she attempts to keep the birth of her alien baby hidden. 

The film centres around new mother Gül (played incredibly by Hazar Ergüçlü), whose introduction to the audience is whilst she’s in the bloody and painful throes of birth in the back of a car. Once her husband sees the inhuman offspring she has birthed, he runs off, leaving her to continue her parental journey as a single mother. As Gül struggles to come to terms with motherhood, especially with a preternatural infant who feeds off her life essence, she must attempt to make ends meet by any means necessary, and soon begins to experience just how cruel life can be to single mothers.

Covering the many horrifying facets of motherhood throughout the years, is an ingenious decision for Mutter: The Diary of a Mother to not concentrate fully on the monstrous baby and instead centralise the experience of Gül. Much of her anguish comes not from the baby (save for a sore chewed up boob which is standard for most breastfeeding mothers), but instead from the treatment of her by the people around her. Rather than accept responsibility, her husband runs off leaving her alone and penniless, the townsfolk treat her like a pariah, and men take advantage of her. 

Not only does Mutter: The Diary of a Mother appeal on a personal level, but it also talks to the wider commentary on the detrimental effects of motherhood on women, especially those who are vulnerable, when it comes to their financial, social, and physical experiences. The film makes a firm stance when it recognises the fact that without support, motherhood can kill a woman whether it be physically or spiritually. 

Mutter: The Diary of a Mother is an extensively intelligent and gripping exploration of the pain behind a mother’s eyes. With some extremely effective gory moments paired with an exceptional performance by lead Hazar Ergüçlü, Mutter: The Diary of a Mother is an incredible take on the horror subgenre of monstrous motherhood. 

5 Screams out of 5

Mutter: The Diary of a Mother had its world premiere at Tribeca 2026.