Goodnight Mommy (2022) – A Haunting, Layered Remake That Delivers Chills and Heart
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Written by~ Melissa Salinas
When it comes to horror remakes, skepticism often looms large. The 2014 Austrian film Goodnight Mommy, directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, left an indelible mark with its visceral psychological terror and unflinching exploration of familial bonds twisted by suspicion. So, when news broke that director Matt Sobel was helming an American reimagining for Amazon Prime Video, starring the luminous Naomi Watts and the talented Crovetti twins, Cameron and Nicholas, expectations were tempered by caution. Could this 2022 version, penned by Kyle Warren, live up to its predecessor’s chilling legacy? At Nocturnal Newz, we’re thrilled to report that Goodnight Mommy (2022) not only holds its own but emerges as a compelling, emotionally resonant, and visually arresting take on the original. This crime-drama-horror hybrid, released on September 16, 2022, is a masterclass in tension and performance, earning our enthusiastic applause.
Synopsis and Setup
Goodnight Mommy centers on twin brothers Elias and Lukas (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti), who arrive at their mother’s secluded country home after time spent with their father (Peter Hermann). Their mother, a former actress played by Naomi Watts, greets them with her face swathed in bandages, the result of recent cosmetic surgery. She assures the boys it’s a minor procedure, but her strict new house rules—no running, no yelling, drawn drapes, and restricted access to her room—feel alien. As her behavior grows erratic, marked by coldness, secrecy, and moments of startling aggression, the twins begin to suspect that the woman beneath the gauze isn’t their mother at all. What unfolds is a taut, 92-minute descent into paranoia, trust, and the fragile threads binding a family, all wrapped in a haunting aesthetic that keeps you guessing.
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A Fresh Yet Faithful Take
Matt Sobel’s Goodnight Mommy walks a delicate tightrope, paying homage to the original while carving out its own identity. Where the Austrian film leaned heavily into sadistic horror and grotesque imagery, Sobel opts for a more restrained, emotionally grounded approach. This isn’t a shot-for-shot retread but a reimagining that shifts the tone from unrelenting cruelty to a blend of psychological thriller and family drama, with horror as the undercurrent. The result is a film that feels accessible to new audiences while offering enough nuance to intrigue fans of the 2014 version. At Nocturnal Newz, we appreciate this bold choice—Sobel doesn’t try to outdo the original’s shock value but instead deepens the emotional stakes, making the story resonate on a human level.
Kyle Warren’s screenplay is a standout, weaving a narrative that balances ambiguity with clarity. The dialogue is sparse yet purposeful, allowing the characters’ actions and expressions to carry the weight of the story. The script cleverly plants seeds of doubt without spoon-feeding answers, inviting viewers to question reality alongside the twins. While some critics have called the remake “unnecessary,” we at Nocturnal Newz disagree—this Goodnight Mommy justifies its existence by exploring themes of identity, trauma, and maternal love in a way that feels fresh and relevant, especially in a post-pandemic world where trust and connection are fraught.
Naomi Watts: A Powerhouse Presence
Naomi Watts, no stranger to horror remakes (The Ring, Funny Games), delivers a tour-de-force performance as the unnamed Mother. Hidden behind bandages for much of the film, Watts relies on her eyes, voice, and physicality to convey a complex character who oscillates between vulnerability and menace. Is she a victim of circumstance, a neglectful parent, or something more sinister? Watts keeps us guessing, her raw intensity anchoring every scene. Her ability to shift from tender to terrifying—sometimes within the same breath—is nothing short of mesmerizing. A standout moment involves her dancing alone in the house, a scene that’s both seductive and unsettling, hinting at layers of inner turmoil. Watts, also an executive producer, clearly invested herself fully, and her commitment elevates the film beyond typical genre fare.
The Crovetti Twins: Young Stars Shining Bright
Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti, real-life twins known for Big Little Lies, are the heart of Goodnight Mommy. As Elias and Lukas, they bring authenticity and depth to their roles, capturing the unspoken bond of siblings navigating fear and uncertainty. Cameron’s Elias is the more sensitive, grappling with loyalty to his mother and growing unease, while Nicholas’s Lukas is bolder, pushing his brother to confront their suspicions. Their chemistry is electric, with subtle glances and gestures conveying a shared language that feels lived-in. The Crovettis handle the film’s emotional and dramatic demands with remarkable poise for their age, making their characters’ journey both heartbreaking and compelling. Their scenes of rebellion—sneaking through the house, whispering plans—crackle with tension, drawing us into their childlike yet chilling perspective.
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Directorial Craft and Atmosphere
Matt Sobel, whose previous work (Take Me to the River) showed promise, proves himself a deft hand at crafting atmosphere. Working with cinematographer Alexander Dynan, he transforms the Mother’s modern, isolated house into a character in its own right. The sleek, minimalist design—glass walls, stark whites, and shadowy corners—creates a claustrophobic contrast to the sprawling fields outside. Sobel uses light masterfully, with drawn curtains casting the house in a perpetual twilight that mirrors the characters’ uncertainty. Unlike the original’s icy precision, this Goodnight Mommy has a warmer, more intimate visual palette, which suits its focus on emotional stakes.
Alex Weston’s score is another highlight, blending dissonant strings with eerie silences to underscore the mounting dread. The sound design—creaking floors, muffled whispers, the rustle of bandages—amplifies the film’s unsettling vibe without relying on cheap jump scares. Sobel’s restraint is notable; he trusts the story and performances to carry the horror, using nightmares and subtle visual cues (like a forbidden barn) to keep us on edge. While some may miss the original’s graphic intensity, we at Nocturnal Newz found this approach refreshing—it’s a horror film that lingers in your mind rather than assaulting your senses.
Themes and Emotional Depth
At its core, Goodnight Mommy is about the fragility of trust within a family. The film explores how children perceive their parents, how absence and change can breed doubt, and how trauma reshapes relationships. Sobel and Warren delve into the Capgras syndrome-like fear of loved ones being replaced, using it as a metaphor for emotional disconnection. The Mother’s bandages symbolize not just physical alteration but the barriers we erect in grief or self-preservation. Without spoiling the plot, we can say the film handles these themes with sensitivity, avoiding easy answers and inviting reflection on love, loss, and identity.
The dynamic between the twins and their mother is the emotional anchor. Scenes of the boys seeking comfort—only to be met with coldness or strange rules—are gut-wrenching, thanks to the cast’s authenticity. Yet the film never vilifies any character outright; it’s a testament to Sobel’s direction that we empathize with both the twins’ fear and the Mother’s struggle, even as tensions escalate. This nuance sets Goodnight Mommy apart from typical horror, making it as much a drama as a thriller.
Why Nocturnal Newz Loved It
While some reviews have criticized the remake for lacking the original’s bite (e.g., a 37% Rotten Tomatoes score), we at Nocturnal Newz found it a triumph in its own right. The film’s slower pace allows the tension to simmer, building to a climax that’s emotionally shattering without needing gore. The performances—Watts’s raw vulnerability, the Crovettis’ heartfelt intensity—are among the year’s best. Sobel’s decision to prioritize psychological depth over shock value pays off, creating a film that’s as thought-provoking as it is creepy. The craftsmanship, from the cinematography to the score, is top-notch, making every frame a visual treat.
Is it better than the original? That’s subjective, but we argue it doesn’t need to be. This Goodnight Mommy stands on its own, offering a fresh lens on a familiar story. It’s a film that respects its roots while daring to explore new emotional terrain, and for that, we applaud Sobel, Watts, and the Crovettis. It’s a must-watch for horror fans, drama enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a story that keeps you guessing.
Final Verdict
Goodnight Mommy (2022) is a haunting, beautifully crafted remake that trades the original’s brutality for emotional depth and psychological intrigue. Naomi Watts and the Crovetti twins deliver powerhouse performances, while Matt Sobel’s direction weaves a chilling yet heartfelt tale of doubt and devotion. At Nocturnal Newz, we loved every tense, poignant moment, and we’re confident you will too. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video, dim the lights, and let this unsettling gem pull you in—just don’t expect to sleep soundly after.
Nocturnal Newz Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
Runtime: 1h 32m | Rated R | Available on Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Naomi Watts, Cameron Crovetti, Nicholas Crovetti, Peter Hermann, Crystal Lucas-Perry, Jeremy Bobb
Director: Matt Sobel | Writer: Kyle Warren, based on the film by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala