The Only Mom
The Only Mom is a 2019 Burmese horror film starring Nine Nine, Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi, Daung and Pyae Pyae. The film, produced by Brave Empire Film Production, premiered in Myanmar on February 8, 2019, and became one of the highest-grossing Burmese films of the year. This film is exhibited in Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and other countries.
The Only Mom is widely regarded as one of the scariest horror films in Myanmar, earning positive reviews for its strong performances, cinematography, sound design, and background music. The movie generated significant box office success, earning MMK 100 million within nine days of its release and becoming the highest-grossing Burmese film of the year. To date, it has grossed $4.8 million worldwide, solidifying its status as a commercially successful Burmese production.
Synopsis
A family of three relocated to a colonial-style mansion in Yenangyaung, which contained unique ancient photographs. From the moment they arrived, the couple's daughter, who had previously been disobedient, became unusually diligent and began acting strangely. She slept throughout the day and remained awake at night. Her odd behavior sparked curiosity. As a mother, she struggled to address these troubling changes. The unfolding events gradually revealed connections to the afterlife, adding an intriguing layer to the mystery.Plot
Nine Nine as Aung Thura, a magazine press editor, and his wife May, along with their autistic daughter Siri, move to a quaint old colonial house in Yay-Nan-Chaung for Nine Nine's new job position. Despite May's efforts to connect with Siri, Siri has difficulty forming a strong bond with her mother, and often disregards May's attempts to communicate with her.Upon their arrival at the house, Nine Nine stumbled upon antique glass photographs of the former owner of the house, Daung, along with his adopted children adorning the walls. Captured using an old mirror photography technique, the photos exuded a lifelike quality, captivating Aung Thura's attention to make the decision to leave them as they were originally displayed.
During the second night, Siri awakens from her sleep and wanders around the house in search of her beloved doll. As she explores, she discovers another girl around her age playing with her doll in the attic. Instantly drawn to each other, Siri and the girl whose name is Thida form a quick bond, and play together throughout the night. Later, Thida explains to Siri that she has been watching over the house but omits the fact that she is a spirit who is trapped alongside her mother's spirit. Thida then offers Siri to take a picture using her father's camera in order to trick Siri to take her body away by capturing Siri's soul inside the camera.
Days and nights pass, Siri remains asleep all day, and awake only at nighttime, causing concern for her parents. Siri keeps going to bed after joyfully playing with her mother until it is dawn.
One night, Aung Thura is startled awake by what seemed to be Siri's voice calling for him through the air and falls into nightmares of Siri being abnormal. The next morning, Aung Thura stumbles upon an old photograph of the children who once resided in the house, tucked away in storage. Driven by a growing sense of unease, he embarks on an investigation, seeking out information about the fate of the children depicted in the photo.
Reluctant to entertain Aung Thura's doubts about possession, the mother refused to accept that her daughter was under any supernatural influence, especially as their relationship began to improve. Nevertheless, the parents decide to remove Siri from the house and seek assistance from a spirit medium known as “Nat Ka Taw” in Myanmar, in an attempt to rescue Siri's spirit. However, their efforts are blocked by the spirit of Daung, claiming himself also to be the mother of the adopted children. Left with no other options, May bravely jumps into a nearby lake, seeking a passage to the spirit realm.
It is not too long after Siri is saved, May accidentally passes away because of Thida's mother's fierce spirit. May's spirit became trapped within the walls of the house alongside Thida, who had always wanted a sweet mother like May. Conversely, Daung's spirit found peace. Siri and Aung Thura, now free from the haunting presence, decide to depart from the town permanently, leaving behind the echoes of their sorrowful journey.
Cast
- Nine Nine as Aung Thura, father of Thiri
- Wutt Mhone Shwe Yi as May Hnin, mother of Thiri
- Daung as the photographer
- Pyae Pyae as Thiri
- Ton Ton as Thida
- Thuta as Htun Mya
- Aung Khant Paing as Kyaw Zaww
- U Hla Aye as Nat Kadaw
- Zwe Nandar as Thiha
- Tar Tar Lay as U Nandiya
- Soe Moe Kyi as Teacher of Thiri