Virtually all of Darren Aronofsky’s work is filled with symbolism and implies multiple interpretations. His 2017 film Mother! is no exception, as the apparently linear story of a poet and his wife and muse soon turns into a much more complex and, at times, disturbing psychological horror when the arrival of a family interrupts their routine.
Introduction
The film Mother!, directed by Darren Aronofsky, is characterized by its profound symbolism and diverse interpretations. While initially presenting a straightforward narrative revolving around a poet and his wife, it swiftly transforms into a complex and unsettling psychological horror as the intrusion of an unexpected family disrupts their lives.
The Enigmatic Plot of Mother!
The film opens with a scene depicting the cleansing of a burnt-out house. With the placement of a crystal on a shelf, the protagonist awakens, and the story unfolds within a secluded house situated in an unnamed location. The occupants of the house, identified as “Mother” (Jennifer Lawrence) and “Him” (Javier Bardem), represent the poet suffering from a creative block and his devoted wife. The crystal in the poet’s study serves as both his inspiration and a symbol of their marriage.
One day, an admirer of the poet’s work named Man (Ed Harris) arrives at their home, followed by his wife Woman (Michelle Pfeiffer), and eventually their disruptive children. Mother becomes increasingly distressed by the intrusion and urges her husband to send the visitors away. However, tensions escalate, leading to tragic events, including the death of one of the visitors. As more uninvited guests arrive, the house becomes filled with chaos and anger, ultimately culminating in a shocking and controversial scene.
Months later, Mother prepares for the birth of their child while the poet completes his new work. A mob of his fans invades the house, triggering destructive behavior that coincides with Mother going into labor. Disturbingly, the baby is taken from Mother and passed around as a religious symbol, eventually being consumed by the crowd. Enraged, Mother sets the house ablaze, and the poet retrieves a crystal from her charred remains, returning the narrative to its initial state.
The Hidden Meanings of Mother!
Man’s Destruction of the Planet
One prominent interpretation of the film’s plot centers on humanity’s disregard for nature. Mother, symbolizing “Mother Nature,” tends to the house and represents Earth’s restorative and life-giving qualities. The guests, initially polite, progressively transgress boundaries by disrespecting the house and its surroundings. They reduce the house to a literal and metaphorical wasteland, compelling Mother to respond with floods and fires in a manner analogous to nature’s own response to human exploitation. The film’s cyclical structure signifies the perpetual cycle of destruction and renewal present in nature.
A Cruel God and Biblical Themes
Aronofsky himself confirmed biblical references within the film. Him, portrayed by Javier Bardem, embodies a cruel and demanding God, akin to the depiction in the Old Testament. Adam and Eve parallel the first visitors to the house, with Adam arriving before Eve and bearing a visible scar on his back, suggesting the extraction of a rib. Their children, Cain and Abel, also parallel their biblical counterparts as discord arises due to their divergent interpretations of their father’s will. Intriguingly, the actors portraying the brothers, Domhnall and Brian Gleeson, are real-life siblings. The flooding of the house and subsequent rebirth reflect the biblical flood narrative, while the child’s death alludes to Jesus’ crucifixion and the act of consuming his flesh during religious rituals.
A Muse Giving Herself Over to the Creator
Another significant interpretation revolves around the theme of creativity and the relationship between the creator and his muse. Him, representing the creator, struggles with writer’s block while Mother attends to the household chores and supports him emotionally. As the creator gains popularity, Mother is burdened with managing the consequences of his success, such as the invasion of zealous fans. The revelation that the crystal, vital to the poet’s inspiration, is actually Mother’s heart implies her total dedication to facilitating the creative process. In the film’s concluding scenes, a new Mother is awakened, suggesting the perpetual cycle of muses providing inspiration to creators.
Toxic Relationships in the Family and Society
Mother! also explores themes relevant to everyday life, including patriarchal dynamics, societal pressures, and fear of motherhood. Within the household, the husband consistently fails to appreciate his wife’s opinions and disregards her contributions. Society’s influence manifests through the character Woman, who pressures Mother to have a child. Representing the fear of bodily changes during pregnancy, the film employs symbolism such as bleeding holes in the floor and the sound of heartbeats emanating from the walls. The intrusion of society into the couple’s home mirrors the encroachment of societal norms upon personal lives and the potential disastrous consequences thereof.
