Mommie Dearest
A traumatized daughter’s account of life under the volatile control of her famous adoptive mother becomes a savage Hollywood family melodrama.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- harrowing
- campy
- theatrical
- classic hollywood night
- cult cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a strange, uneven, and often campy biographical drama elevated by Faye Dunaway's startlingly ferocious performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joan Crawford's screen image and status as Hollywood royalty are repeatedly contrasted with her abusive behavior at home.
Joan's career anxieties, perfectionism, and need for control shape her competitive relationship with Christina.
Dunaway's ferocious performance and scenes such as the wire-hangers confrontation are presented with grotesque, theatrical intensity.
Christina continues to want Joan's love despite repeated physical and emotional abuse.
Films like Mommie Dearest, and why
The Great Santini
shared focus on abusive family dynamics, psychological damage, and emotionally harrowing domestic drama
What's Love Got to Do with It
shared biographical melodrama, volatile parental authority, and intense lead performance
Precious
shared domestic abuse themes, claustrophobic family conflict, and disturbing psychological intensity
The Rose
shared Hollywood biography, theatrical performance style, and camp-adjacent melodrama
Movie Details
- Director
- Frank Perry
- Release Date
- 1981-09-16
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (248)
Cast
- Faye Dunaway
- Diana Scarwid
- Steve Forrest
- Howard Da Silva
- Mara Hobel
- Rutanya Alda
- Harry Goz
- Michael Edwards
- Jocelyn Brando
- Priscilla Pointer
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mommie Dearest about?
- A traumatized daughter’s account of life under the volatile control of her famous adoptive mother becomes a savage Hollywood family melodrama.
- What is Mommie Dearest like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mommie Dearest as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mommie Dearest violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Mommie Dearest as moderate.
- What did critics think of Mommie Dearest?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a strange, uneven, and often campy biographical drama elevated by Faye Dunaway's startlingly ferocious performance.
- Which films are like Mommie Dearest?
- Films with a similar feel include The Great Santini, What's Love Got to Do with It, Precious, and The Rose.
- How long is Mommie Dearest?
- Mommie Dearest runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mommie Dearest?
- In United States, Mommie Dearest is available to rent or buy from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
