Mothers in Horror
Carolyn Jones as Morticia Addams CC PDM 1.0
Horror hasn’t always been the kindest to mothers: tragic deaths, abuse, demonic/homicidal children, etc. However, while mothers in horror are often blamed for the terrors their children become, it is also one of the only genres where we get to see such complex and strong mothers.
Single Mothers
Single mothers in horror really get the worst of the terror. They have to juggle work, kids, AND whatever evil forces are after them alone. If their child’s doll is possessed by a serial killer they won’t hesitate to stop it. Single mothers are heroes in horror. In fact, the struggling single mother that would do anything for her child is a common trope in horror. They often suffer mental illnesses as well, but they have to deal with them to help their children. They truly personify the sacrifices that our mothers make for us.
Single mothers are so great in horror because they usually work 24/7 to make ends meet. All they want is to make their kid(s) happy, and that usually means working more hours to save up for a toy or a psychiatrist. That’s enough to make the audience empathetic, but then some supernatural being or murderer comes in and ruins all their hard work. It’s anyone’s worst nightmare. But this trope shows how incredibly difficult it is to raise a child by yourself, especially as a woman. The fear and loss that comes from the death of (or abandonment by) a partner, and the pressure to be the perfect mom. And besides all of that, they have to protect their kid from something they don’t even understand. It’s terrifying!
Single mothers in horror often resemble the final girl. They do whatever it takes to defeat the antagonist. But, unlike the final girl it’s not to save themselves, it’s to save their kids. If you’re a horror villain you do not want to mess with a single mother because she will make you regret it. Single moms will stop at nothing to protect their child, even if it means they have to go to an upside down parallel universe to do it. That’s how much they truly care about their kids.
Murderous Mothers And Smothers (They Scare Because They Care)
We all go a little mad sometimes, and mothers are no exception. Mothers just care so much for their kids that they can get a little crazy at times. But it’s all out of love. Everything they do, no matter how insane, is what they believe is best for their children.
These mothers didn’t start out as killers, they became killers to help their kids. Of course, I can’t write this category without mentioning everyone’s favorite horror mother, Pamela Voorhees. Pamela Voorhees is perhaps one of the most loving mothers in cinematic history. A single mother that lost her only son in a tragic event while she was working. The pain she felt drove her to kill to avenge her son. She wasn’t a coldhearted maniac, she was a mother that went through a traumatic loss. She truly believed that she was doing the right thing by killing. Margaret White, similarly, truly thought that she was saving Carrie’s soul.
I think these mothers are so entertaining because they’re so surprising. Going back to the days of Republican Motherhood (to use my History vocab) society has always had certain expectations of mothers. It was a mother’s responsibility to raise her kids to be good people, and to control her husband’s behavior. We expect mothers to be goodhearted, moral, kind, and caring. So when one goes on a killing spree, it’s unpredictable and refreshingly unique.
Mothers in horror also always seem to get blamed for the wrongdoings of their children. The child’s psychological issues are almost always blamed on their mothers. However, in many cases the mother should not be blamed entirely. If a grown man decides to dress up as his mother and murder people at his motel he should bear at least some of that responsibility. Fathers rarely get blamed for their kids’ actions. In We Need To Talk About Kevin, many are quick to blame Eva for Kevin’s actions. And while Eva clearly made many mistakes, Franklin,her husband, doesn’t share the same accountability. Why does our society still believe that mothers have to parent and fathers don’t?
Amazing Mothers In Horror
Horror has some of the most amazing and supportive mothers of any genre. They love their kids unconditionally and let them be themselves. Morticia Addams is always there for her family while still being her own person. Pamela Voorhees loved her son regardless of his deformities. Adelaide Wilson had to save her kids from a family of doppelgangers. Whatever the circumstances, horror moms go above and beyond for their families and show us a side of mothers that we usually don’t get to see.
Happy Mother’s Day!
