Mothmama

Short, Australian movie Mothmama, from filmmaker Jessica DiCosta, feels as invasive as it is poignant, showcasing the dramatic impact of social media on childhood.

Riley (Gabriella Hirschson) and her mother Sarah (Audley Anderson) appear to have a loving and tender relationship. We see their intimate bond through hairbrushing, playing hangman in the bathroom mirror, and doing dance routines together to post on social media. Riley, however, experiences numerous panic attacks where she feels like she’s being watched from outside her home, and Sarah’s motherly attention is exposed as a clout tactic.

At times, reminding me of a film like It Follows or The Strangers, Mothmama is certainly leaning more towards the thriller side of dark drama. Presenting social media like a home invader (which it totally is!), DiCosta smartly taps into the creepier side of being a younger Creator. The fluid camerawork and slow zooms on Riley feel voyeuristic, and the depressing climate of the school playground is tantamount to dystopia.

Whilst the strangers observing Riley from outside her home feel threatening, it is the tragic reality of the parenting she receives that is most significant. No father figure in sight, and the mother’s seemingly dutiful routines feel warped by the necessity to “show her best life”. Yes, she brushes Riley’s hair, but is that so her videos look good? Yes, she comforts Riley during a panic attack but then posts a video about how to deal with kids and anxiety. It feels traitorous and insipid. The neglectful behaviour is revealed further when Riley asks for some cheese and is directed by Sarah to a mouldy bag at the bottom of the fridge.

Like moths to a flame, our attention towards our devices has never been so intense. The frankly shameful reality of this for children is powerfully rendered onscreen with Mothmama. A shocking and unnerving glimpse at the slippery slope for parents who fail to take their eyes off their screens for long enough to see the harm being done to their offspring.

Mothmama was an official selection at the 2026 Venice Film Festival and is currently available to stream via Festival Scope.