Susan Granger’s review of “Umma” (Sony Pictures releasing/Stage 6 Films)
The title “Umma” (Korean for “Mama”) is quite apt for this wannabe horror/thriller, starring Sandra Oh as Amanda, a first-generation Korean-American who was brutalized by her frustrated mother who punished any disobedience by giving Amanda electric shocks.
Now-grown Amanda and her teenage daughter Chris (Fivel Stewart) live on an isolated farm, raising bees and making honey. Amanda insists on living off-the-grid because she says she becomes ill if she’s around electricity. Motor vehicles, TV and cellphones are not allowed anywhere near their home.
Their peaceful, rural existence is shattered when Amanda’s elderly uncle (Tom Yi) unexpectedly arrives from Korea, addressing Amanda as Soo-Hyun – her Korean birth name – and delivering a suitcase that contains her recently deceased mother’s ashes, along with her most prized possessions.
Long estranged from her Korean family, Amanda tries to hide the suitcase’s contents in the storm cellar, but after confused Chris observes how strangely her mother is behaving, she demands answers to a myriad of questions.
“We started as one, and we’ll end as one,” Umma’s vengeful spirit ominously warns delusional Amanda as she slowly takes possession of her mind.
Meanwhile, friendless, homeschooled Chris meets River (Odeya Rush), the visiting niece of Danny (Dermot Mulroney), the genial store owner who sells their honey online. Chris reveals that she’s applying to West Mesa University – which will mean separating from manipulative, domineering Amanda.
There are several references to the popular Korean legend ‘gumiho’ throughout the movie. In Korean folklore, a ‘gumiho’ or ‘kumiho’ is a malignant spirit; in this case, Amanda’s angry mother is resentful because of her wasted potential as a skilled dressmaker.
First-time narrative feature writer/director Iris K. Shin dwells on the lingering effects of childhood abuse caused by the anxieties of assimilation. Too bad these provocative themes are not more fully explored since the characters are underdeveloped; instead, Shin relies on creepy, haunted-house psychological terror and silly, predictable jump scares.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Umma” is a ghostly 4, available on demand from RedBox, Apple TV, Prime Video, and Vudu.
