Ma (2019 film)

Ma
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Tate Taylor
Written by	Scotty Landes
Produced by	Jason Blum Tate Taylor John Norris
Starring	Octavia Spencer Juliette Lewis Diana Silvers Corey Fogelmanis Gianni Paolo McKaley Miller Luke Evans
Cinematography	Christina Voros
Edited by	Lucy Donaldson Jin Lee
Music by	Gregory Tripi
Production companies	Blumhouse Productions Wyolah Films
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	May 31, 2019 (2019-05-31)
Running time	99 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$5 million[1]
Box office	$61.2 million[1]

Ma is a 2019 American psychological horror film, co-produced and directed by Tate Taylor. It stars Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, Diana Silvers, Corey Fogelmanis, Gianni Paolo, McKaley Miller and Luke Evans and follows a group of teenagers who befriend a lonely middle-aged woman. She lets them party in her basement, and they end up being terrorized by her.^[2] The film was produced by Jason Blum through his Blumhouse Productions company, along with Tate Taylor and John Norris.^[3]

Based on the original screenplay by Landes, Ma came together as a result of Taylor's desire to direct a film about "something fucked up" and Spencer's desire to break away from the kinds of roles she usually gets to play.^[4] Taylor and Spencer are longtime friends, having worked together in films such as The Help and Get on Up. Later, in 2018, Taylor and Blumhouse Productions began developing the film, with Taylor directing, Landes writing, Blum producing and Spencer starring. Principal photography on the film started in February 2018 and wrapped in March 2018, in Mississippi, with some parts shot in Natchez.

Ma was released in the United States on May 31, 2019, by Universal Pictures. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances (particularly those of Spencer, Lewis, and Pyle), but criticized the pacing, unrealized potential, and depiction of the male teenage characters. The film grossed $61.2 million against a $5 million budget. It has since gained a cult following online.