In the film “Mother, May I?” directed by Laurence Vannicelli, the Lovecraftian essence isn’t present, yet it echoes due to the troubled backgrounds of the main characters, Emmet and Anya. Emmet inherits a house after his estranged mother’s death, prompting tensions with his fiancée, Anya. As they explore the house’s psychological impact, their relationship deteriorates. The movie delicately flirts with the notion of possession, leaving room for psychological explanations. The film is characterized by subtle horror, relying on the unsettling performances of Kyle Gallner and Holland Roden, who carry the mood without paranormal theatrics. Limited in both characters and locations, it maintains an eerie atmosphere, surprising viewers with its unexpected and unsettling nature. Visit afdah 2 for more!