Film Review: ‘Mother’s Instinct,’ a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end

Film Review: ‘Mother’s Instinct,’ a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end
A scene from “Mother’s Instinct” showing Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain as mothers in the neighborhood. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 May 2024
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Film Review: ‘Mother’s Instinct,’ a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end

Film Review: ‘Mother’s Instinct,’ a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end
  • Anne Hathaway plays "the perfect mother" in this 2024 psychological thriller in a remake of a French film, which itself was a novel adaptation

Anne Hathaway has played many roles over the course of her career: a surprise princess, an assistant to a fashion magazine editor, a recovering addict, Cat Woman. In “Mother’s Instinct,” she plays a mother — the perfect mother.

In this 2024 psychological thriller — a remake of a French film which itself was a novel adaptation — Hathaway is joined by Jessica Chastain. The two play best friends who are living the American dream.

They are next-door neighbors. Their husbands are the best of friends, as are their eight-year-old sons. They live in an affluent neighborhood in cookie-cutter 1960s’ suburban America. Everything seems idyllic.

The film begins with Celine’s (Hathaway) birthday. Alice (Chastain) and the women’s husbands throw a surprise backyard party. Celine receives a pearl necklace, a joint gift from their family and friends. It’s a wonderful celebration.

But the next day, there’s a tragic death.

One of the young boys falls from a balcony under suspicious circumstances. At the time, he was being supervised by the other mother.

The film forces us to ask: How can a mother live with herself after she entrusted her son’s life to her friend? Could anyone forgive themselves? Could they forgive their friend? 

By mid-film, there are still two mothers — but now one is childless. The one whose son has survived feels guilt. The one who lost her boy feels fury. Both feel grief.

As the story unfolds there are more deaths and we begin to wonder: Did one mother deliberately harm the other’s son? Who is innocent here? Who is evil? Was it an accident or a deliberate act? And who will die next? 

Events become more sinister. Nothing seems perfect anymore. Even the beautiful pearl necklace ends up broken on the floor, the tiny gems rolling around chaotically.

First-time director Benoit Delhomme does a good job of leading our eyes where he wants them to go. The cinematography is beautiful, while the styling and outfits are divine.

This film keeps you guessing until the end. And there is no happy ending; sometimes, the happy ending is that there is one at all.


Coldplay add second and third dates to 2025 Abu Dhabi concert

Coldplay add second and third dates to 2025 Abu Dhabi concert
Updated 25 September 2024
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Coldplay add second and third dates to 2025 Abu Dhabi concert

Coldplay add second and third dates to 2025 Abu Dhabi concert
  • Palestinian-Chilean artist Elyanna will open for the band in the Emirati capital

DUBAI: While fans across the UAE scramble to get tickets to Coldplay’s Abu Dhabi concert in January 2025, the band has added another two dates to their trip to the UAE.

The British band are now set to bring their hugely successful “Music of the Spheres World Tour” to Zayed Sports City Stadium on Jan. 11 as well as Jan. 12 and Jan. 14, it was announced on Wednesday.

Palestinian-Chilean artist Elyanna will open for the band.

The 22-year-old has been a frequent collaborator of the group this year, joining the band on stage at their Glastonbury set. Last week, she released the Arabic edition of the band's new song “We Pray.” On Saturday, she performed with Coldplay in Las Vegas.

Promoters Live Nation Middle East confirmed Abu Dhabi will be the only stop in the region for the band.


Lebanese celebrities and entrepreneurs speak out for Lebanon

Lebanese celebrities and entrepreneurs speak out for Lebanon
Updated 25 September 2024
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Lebanese celebrities and entrepreneurs speak out for Lebanon

Lebanese celebrities and entrepreneurs speak out for Lebanon

DUBAI: Amid the ongoing Israeli assault on Lebanon, Lebanese celebrities and entrepreneurs including Razane Jammal, Karen Wazen and Jessica Kahawaty have taken to social media to raise awareness and express their concerns.

British Lebanese actress Jammal, who played Lyta Hall in the 2022 Netflix adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman,” took to Instagram to share a piece of art that depicted a bleeding heart on a stamp of Lebanon, captioning the post, “No words. Just bleeding.”

She also posted a video from an earlier interview with Elle Arabia where she talks about the resilience of Lebanese people. She captioned the post with a quote from her interview, “I really have hope for us. I know it’s very dark, but I have hope for my people, and I have hope for my country. There is no other way… life is hope.”

 Dubai-based Lebanese influencer and entrepreneur Karen Wazen also took to Instagram to share a lengthy statement.

“From the moment we were born, war has been a reality,” she wrote. “Being Lebanese means distinguishing the sounds of an explosion, from the roar of fighter jets, the crackle of fireworks, and the breaking of sound barriers.

“Do not normalize Lebanese’ suffering. Despite our strength, we are not okay, and should not be okay,” she continued. “Do not normalize forced displacement, war crimes and human rights violations.

“Today we are all Lebanese, we are all victims of injustice, dirty politics, terrorism, racism and impunity… until when?”

 Australian Lebanese model and entrepreneur Kahawaty took to Instagram to address her more than 1.5 million followers.

“For my non-Lebanese friends, I want to tell you a little story about Lebanon. It is a small country, only 10,452 km squared which is roughly the size of New York or Tokyo. A whole country, the size of one of these popular cities. For as long as I can remember and for many years before my arrival to this world, Lebanon has been a pawn in a greater fight. My country hasn’t known peace… ever,” she began.

“I ask you all to pray for Lebanon. Our people are suffering immensely, and our hearts are broken,” she added, as she requested readers to listen to her all-time favourite excerpts of a speech by American political scientist, Michael Parenti, which she posted on social media. “This is relevant to not just Lebanon but so many countries in the world subject to the evils of… you know who.”

The speech slammed former colonial powers, saying “poor countries are not ‘under-developed,’ they are over-exploited.”


Saudi-backed Johnny Depp film gets standing ovation at San Sebastian

Saudi-backed Johnny Depp film gets standing ovation at San Sebastian
Updated 25 September 2024
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Saudi-backed Johnny Depp film gets standing ovation at San Sebastian

Saudi-backed Johnny Depp film gets standing ovation at San Sebastian

DUBAI: The cast of Johnny Depp-helmed “Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness” took to the San Sebastian Film Festival red carpet in Spain on Tuesday night to usher in the star’s second directorial feature.

The film was supported by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Foundation through its Red Sea International Film Financing initiative. 

Red Sea Film Foundation Managing Director Shivani Pandya, Saudi film producer Mohammed Al-Turki — who was previously the CEO of the Red Sea Film Festival — Depp, and stars Riccardo Scamarcio, Antonia Desplat, Bruno Gouery, Ryan McParland and Luisa Ranieri attended the premiere.

The period flick debuted out of competition in San Sebastian where it earned a long standing ovation, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Modi” is Depp’s second directorial effort and comes 27 years after “The Brave,” his debut film as a director. Described as a “seventy-two-hour whirlwind in the life of bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani,” the film follows the artist through a chaotic series of events through the streets of war-time Paris in 1916. 

At the press conference ahead of the screening, Depp revealed that co-star Al Pacino advised him to helm the movie. “I got a very strange phone call from Al Pacino who said ‘Do remember this Modigliani project?’ and he said I should direct it,” Depp said, according to Deadline.

“For some reason, Al saw me driving this strange machine. And when Pacino speaks, you listen, so I ran with it. But I had no idea what it would be until the pieces of the puzzle came together.” 


Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s kids show off Arabic skills

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s kids show off Arabic skills
Updated 22 September 2024
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s kids show off Arabic skills

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s kids show off Arabic skills

DUBAI: A viral clip showing the children of Saudi-based Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez speaking Arabic has created quite a stir among social media users.

The video shows Ronaldo’s son Mateo greeting passersby with the phrase, “Peace be upon you,” before daughter Alana is seen trying to correct her Arabic pronunciation and then showing off her ability to count in Arabic.

Last year, the couple’s daughters Alana and Bella went viral Rodriguez posted a series of Instagram Stories showing them speaking and singing in Arabic.

“My family, my family, I love my mom, I love my brother,” the two girls sang in the clip.

“Our daughters already sing in Arabic,” Rodriguez captioned the video in Spanish, tagging Ronaldo.

In another Instagram Story, 5-year-old Alana recited the days of the week in Arabic.

“Our daughters already speak Arabic,” Rodriguez wrote in Spanish.

The family moved to the Kingdom in January last year after Ronaldo signed with Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr.

Earlier this month, Ronaldo said it was easy for him and his family to adapt to Saudi Arabia after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Saudi football club.

“To be honest, I am really happy to be there (Saudi Arabia),” Ronaldo said in an interview with former Portuguese footballer, Rio Ferdinand.

“For me the adaptation was easy, and I really love it to be there,” he said.


Azimuth Festival begins in AlUla

Azimuth Festival begins in AlUla
Updated 21 September 2024
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Azimuth Festival begins in AlUla

Azimuth Festival begins in AlUla

ALULA: The Azimuth Festival began in AlUla on Sept. 19, attracting a lively crowd that danced to the beats of techno and EDM, courtesy of a lineup featuring world-renowned DJs and artists from across the globe.

The first day featured a stellar lineup, including Ben Bohmer, YokoO, Ghostly Kisses, The Blaze, Monolink, Eli & Fur, Amine K, and many Saudi DJ’s performing on the Hive stage.

Ahead of his performance, German DJ Ben Bohmer shared his excitement with Arab News: “I’m here in the stunning AlUla in Saudi Arabia. It’s my first time both visiting and performing in this country. I’m thrilled to be here, and I hope everyone is having an amazing time.”

The first day featured a stellar lineup, including Ben Bohmer, YokoO, Ghostly Kisses, The Blaze, Monolink, Eli & Fur, Amine K, and many Saudi DJ’s performing on the Hive stage. (Supplied)

Running from dusk until dawn, the festival embraces the theme “Until the Sun Comes Up,” with performances extending until 7 a.m.

The festival featured two stages: The main stage and the Hive stage, where local artists took the spotlight.

DJ Cosmicat, returning for her third consecutive year, shared her excitement about closing out the Hive Stage on the first night: “Tonight, I’ll be the final act on the DJ stage from 5:20 a.m. until 7 a.m. The vibe is incredible, and the music is calm, perfectly suited to AlUla’s desert atmosphere. 

Set against the stunning backdrop of the AlUla desert, the venue provided the perfect space for music-lovers of all ages and nationalities to gather, dance and enjoy the experience. (Supplied)

“It allows everyone to take in the beauty of this place and connect with one another. Each year, I see the festival evolving, with new faces and exciting developments,” she said. “I’m so proud of everything happening here. The audience at Azimuth has a distinct taste in music, and I am thrilled because the music I love aligns with this year’s lineup, featuring artists like Eli & Fur, Ben Bohmer and James Blake, all of whom have influenced my sound.”

The fourth Azimuth Festival has celebrated individuality, with attendees showcasing distinctive outfits that reflected their personalities and musical preferences. Set against the stunning backdrop of the AlUla desert, the venue provided the perfect space for music-lovers of all ages and nationalities to gather, dance and enjoy the experience.

The festivities on Thursday began with a captivating 80-minute set by internationally acclaimed DJ YokoO, who displayed his two decades of expertise in house music.

 The fourth Azimuth Festival has celebrated individuality, with attendees showcasing distinctive outfits that reflected their personalities and musical preferences. (Supplied)

Ghostly Kisses then took the stage, mesmerizing the audience with an enchanting performance, followed by The Blaze, who kept the energy alive.

Under the stars, Ben Bohmer delivered a stellar set, setting the tone for the night. Monolink followed with an engaging performance, leading into a dynamic set by Eli & Fur.

Amine K closed out the first night, perfectly capturing the festival’s “Until the Sun Comes Up” theme.

Both Thursday and Friday nights also featured the Hive Stage, which spotlighted a diverse lineup of local, regional, underground and emerging artists.