Enter a Rotten Tomatoes movie slug to inspect the stored movie, batches, snapshots, and reviews.
Movie ID: 807
RT slug: umma
RT URL: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/umma
Release year: 2022
Runtime: 83 mins
Wide release date: 2022-03-18
Limited release date: —
Festival premiere date: —
Streaming release date: —
Tomatometer final: 32%
Audience score final: —
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Directors: Iris K. Shim
Writers: Iris K. Shim
Producers: Sam Raimi, Zainab Azizi
MPAA rating: PG-13
Executive Producers: —
Created: 2026-06-17 18:59:52
Updated: 2026-06-17 18:59:52
Umma, which is the Korean word for "mother," follows Amanda (Sandra Oh) and her daughter (Fivel Stewart) living a quiet life on an American farm, but when the remains of her estranged mother arrive from Korea, Amanda becomes haunted by the fear of turning into her own mother.
Despite Sandra Oh's typically strong performance and glimmers of potential from writer-director Iris K. Shim, Umma is a cliche-ridden missed opportunity.
Canonical reviews: 41
Canonical fresh: 13
Canonical rotten: 28
Canonical calculated Tomatometer: 32%
Latest snapshot UTC: 2026-06-17 15:26:36
Snapshot Tomatometer: 32%
Snapshot review count: 41
Snapshot fresh count: 13
Snapshot rotten count: 28
Source note: Imported from manual review paste batch #1436 (full_snapshot)
| Company | Role |
|---|---|
| Stage 6 Films | distributor |
| Catchlight Studios | production |
| Raimi Productions | production |
| Stage 6 Films | production |
| Starlight Media | production |
| Billing | Name | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandra Oh | Amanda |
| 2 | Fivel Stewart | Chris |
| 3 | Dermot Mulroney | Danny |
| 4 | Odeya Rush | River |
| 5 | MeeWha Alana Lee | Amanda's Mother |
| Batch ID | Status | Mode | Created | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 823 | processed | — | 2026-06-17 18:59:52 | Processed successfully into movie_id=807 using update_mode=merge_non_empty. |
| Batch ID | Local Snapshot | UTC Snapshot | Entered % | Entered Count | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1436 | 2026-06-17 10:26:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-06-17 15:26:36 | 32% | 41 | processed | Mode=full_snapshot. Processed 41 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=41, fresh=13, rotten=28, tomatometer=32%. Net new reviews added=41, fresh=13, rotten=28. Current canonical totals=41 reviews, 13 fresh, 28 rotten, tomatometer=32% (31.707%). Entered review count matched parsed batch count (41). Entered tomatometer matched parsed batch value (32%). |
| ID | Critic | Outlet | Fresh? | Score | RT Time Raw | Approx Published UTC | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 179216 | Hector A. Gonzalez | Loud and Clear Reviews | Rotten | 2.5/5 | 2024-03-24T12:22:44Z | 2024-03-24 12:22:44 | Umma is a tale of past generational trauma that is unfortunately bogged down by half-baked set pieces and horror clichés. |
| 179217 | Jordy Sirkin | Jordy Reviews It | Rotten | — | 2022-10-20T18:58:49Z | 2022-10-20 18:58:49 | Though it has an intriguing premise, Umma leaves little to be desired, with a lukewarm script and ineffective jump scares. |
| 179218 | Michael Nordine | Film Occasionally | Fresh | 2.5/4 | 2022-07-24T20:50:09Z | 2022-07-24 20:50:09 | While it’s hardly an exemplar of the genre, one hopes its lukewarm reception doesn’t prevent similar projects from being made in the future. |
| 179219 | Jeremy Aspinall | Radio Times | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-06-23T22:01:04Z | 2022-06-23 22:01:04 | Delivers atmosphere, tension, whirling camerawork and jump scares aplenty. |
| 179220 | Heather Wixson | Daily Dead | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-06-13T08:10:18Z | 2022-06-13 08:10:18 | Umma isn’t necessarily the most original genre movie to be released this year, but I just enjoyed how earnestly the story approaches all the genre elements and the relationships of these characters. |
| 179221 | Susan Granger | SSG Syndicate | Rotten | 4/10 | 2022-06-03T17:37:57Z | 2022-06-03 17:37:57 | Too bad the provocative theme of childhood abuse is not more fully explored. Instead, writer/director Iris K. Shin relies on creepy, haunted-house psychological terror and silly, predictable jump scares. |
| 179222 | Mark Dujsik | Mark Reviews Movies | Rotten | 1.5/4 | 2022-05-24T03:40:16Z | 2022-05-24 03:40:16 | Umma is a horror movie that seems to fight against the very idea of being one. |
| 179223 | Amie Simon | I Love Splatter | Fresh | — | 2022-05-21T20:10:01Z | 2022-05-21 20:10:01 | ... while this isn’t a splattery movie, I really appreciated the subtle effects that demonstrated Umma’s presence, and found the final confrontation to be pretty terrifying. |
| 179224 | Joel Harley | Starburst | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-04-12T18:53:50Z | 2022-04-12 18:53:50 | Umma is a break from the usual loud jump scares and screaming terrors. A refreshingly humanist take on supernatural horror film tropes. |
| 179225 | Dennis Schwartz | Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews | Rotten | C+ | 2022-04-07T23:16:37Z | 2022-04-07 23:16:37 | A disappointing psychological horror pic. |
| 179226 | Sharai Bohannon | Dread Central | Fresh | 4/5 | 2022-04-01T22:37:49Z | 2022-04-01 22:37:49 | Umma is the kind of movie that makes you want to call your therapist. It reminds us that life is messy, but fine, and has a greater meaning that often eludes us. |
| 179227 | Nguyên Lê | The Spool | Fresh | — | 2022-03-31T18:05:40Z | 2022-03-31 18:05:40 | But through thick or thin, or whether Amanda is sane or slipping, Umma stays on track because of Oh. |
| 179228 | Walter Chaw | Film Freak Central | Rotten | 1/4 | 2022-03-31T16:55:50Z | 2022-03-31 16:55:50 | All Umma gives Oh to do is play out--and out of tune, to boot--this tired old "if it's not one thing, it's your mother" rag. |
| 179229 | Maxwell Rabb | Chicago Reader | Rotten | — | 2022-03-28T22:14:50Z | 2022-03-28 22:14:50 | Umma’s curse is an imperfect blend of talent that may shine occasionally but mostly trips over itself. |
| 179230 | Mike McGranaghan | Aisle Seat | Rotten | 2.5/4 | 2022-03-26T23:12:12Z | 2022-03-26 23:12:12 | Although it doesn't fully work, I can't entirely dismiss Umma. I appreciated the good factors to the same degree that I was disappointed by the weak spots. |
| 179231 | Jenny Nulf | Austin Chronicle | Rotten | — | 2022-03-24T11:17:48Z | 2022-03-24 11:17:48 | There are so many interesting components of Umma that never click, wasting a completely original idea on banality. |
| 179232 | Caitlin Chappell | CBR | Rotten | — | 2022-03-24T01:17:42Z | 2022-03-24 01:17:42 | Although Umma opens as a film that's easy to root for -- due to its complex story and unique imagery -- it relies too much on haunted house tropes. |
| 179233 | Matt Conway | Battle Royale With Cheese | Rotten | — | 2022-03-22T18:27:12Z | 2022-03-22 18:27:12 | When critics of arthouse horror bemoan the growing trend, Umma represents the kind of aimless, substance-free experience they are referencing. |
| 179234 | Nicholas Bell | IONCINEMA.com | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-03-21T19:54:11Z | 2022-03-21 19:54:11 | Bolstered by a strong lead performance from the dependably engrossing Sandra Oh, this familiar through line, though culturally specific, relies too heavily upon genre cliches to feel innovative. |
| 179235 | Jesse Hassenger | Polygon | Rotten | — | 2022-03-21T19:19:06Z | 2022-03-21 19:19:06 | Throughout its slim but slow 83 minutes, Umma piles up missed-opportunity scenes that cry out for a ghoulish sense of humor or an audience-rattling jump. |
| 179236 | Kate Sánchez | But Why Tho? | Fresh | — | 2022-03-20T16:15:07Z | 2022-03-20 16:15:07 | Umma isnt perfect and it really doesnt have to be. In its mistakes, Im reminded of what makes theater horror a blast. |
| 179237 | Jeffrey M. Anderson | Common Sense Media | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-03-19T21:02:29Z | 2022-03-19 21:02:29 | Even if it gets a little pedestrian and makes one or two rookie mistakes, this chiller offers some good scary moments, touching performances, and memorable representation of Korean culture. |
| 179238 | Martin Tsai | AV Club | Rotten | C | 2022-03-19T15:56:01Z | 2022-03-19 15:56:01 | Many of Shim’s choices end up offering a decidedly uncomplimentary depiction of the nexus of Asian and Asian-American culture. |
| 179239 | Jim Slotek | Original Cin | Rotten | — | 2022-03-19T14:34:21Z | 2022-03-19 14:34:21 | C-plus Its actually a pretty promising and layered theme, one that is never quite given the mature, gothic treatment it deserves because of the way the film is squeezed through the horror-trope machine. Do I smell studio interference? |
| 179240 | Avi Offer | NYC Movie Guru | Rotten | — | 2022-03-19T07:36:00Z | 2022-03-19 07:36:00 | Harmless, shallow and dull. A squandered opportunity to create "elevated horror." |
| 179241 | Kate Erbland | IndieWire | Fresh | C+ | 2022-03-18T21:50:26Z | 2022-03-18 21:50:26 | Despite its flaws, Umma is an impressive debut for Shim, the kind of outing that hints at plenty more under the hood or tucked inside a massive suitcase, just bursting with secrets. |
| 179242 | Jason Adams | Pajiba | Rotten | — | 2022-03-18T21:13:44Z | 2022-03-18 21:13:44 | I find myself surprised to admit this movie might have worked better as a straight drama than it does a horror film? |
| 179243 | Laura Sirikul | IGN Movies | Rotten | 4/10 | 2022-03-18T20:06:17Z | 2022-03-18 20:06:17 | Umma isnt scary; the trauma behind it is. |
| 179244 | Jana Monji | Age of the Geek | Fresh | 3/5 | 2022-03-18T19:15:21Z | 2022-03-18 19:15:21 | The film features good performances by Sandra Oh and Fivel Stewart as strong, intelligent mother and daughter, who are faced the ghost of the grandmother. It's a promising start for a first-time feature length director and writer Iris K. Shim. |
| 179245 | Michael Gingold | Rue Morgue Magazine | Rotten | — | 2022-03-18T17:05:27Z | 2022-03-18 17:05:27 | The solid cast and craft on display make it all the more disappointing that this introduction of a new voice on the horror scene doesn't have quite enough to say. |
| 179246 | Peter Sobczynski | RogerEbert.com | Rotten | 2.5/4 | 2022-03-18T16:55:56Z | 2022-03-18 16:55:56 | An occasionally interesting but ultimately unsuccessful debut feature from writerdirector Iris K. Shin. |
| 179247 | Meagan Navarro | Bloody Disgusting | Rotten | 2/5 | 2022-03-18T14:43:22Z | 2022-03-18 14:43:22 | Shim's heavy focus on conventional horror clichés and a lack of tension means that the most exciting ideas get underdeveloped to a detriment. |
| 179248 | Brian Orndorf | Blu-ray.com | Rotten | C | 2022-03-18T12:26:56Z | 2022-03-18 12:26:56 | Those coming to the feature expecting to be shocked will probably leave disappointed, but quality performances are present, especially from ever reliable Oh. |
| 179249 | Edward Douglas | The Weekend Warrior (Substack) | Rotten | 6/10 | 2022-03-18T12:11:08Z | 2022-03-18 12:11:08 | Has the unfortunate onus of being situated between the far better Turning Red and Everything Everywhere All At Once, which both deal with similar Mommy-daughter issues but in far more creative and entertaining ways. |
| 179250 | Carla Hay | Culture Mix | Rotten | — | 2022-03-18T09:01:02Z | 2022-03-18 09:01:02 | In the forgettable and formulaic horror flick Umma, the main character is a beekeeper with mother issues. Bees in a hive have more purpose and intelligence (and can scare more people) than this silly mess of a film. |
| 179251 | Therese Lacson | Collider | Fresh | B+ | 2022-03-18T00:30:39Z | 2022-03-18 00:30:39 | Umma is a solid entry for Shim's debut with a strong story and standout leading performance from Oh. It examines generational trauma, identity, and what it means to confront your past, and it does so effectively. |
| 179252 | Tracy Brown | Los Angeles Times | Fresh | — | 2022-03-18T00:15:59Z | 2022-03-18 00:15:59 | “Umma” shows that horror remains an effective space to engage with heftier topics. |
| 179253 | Frank Scheck | The Hollywood Reporter | Rotten | — | 2022-03-18T00:12:06Z | 2022-03-18 00:12:06 | Writer-director Shin’s labored attempts to use genre tropes to explore the complexities of domineering mother-daughter relationships never fully develops. |
| 179254 | Andrew Barker | Variety | Rotten | — | 2022-03-18T00:10:43Z | 2022-03-18 00:10:43 | Shim handles the film’s grab bag of individual jump scares and creepy sight gags well, but without conveying much tangible sense of overall peril or threat, these scenes start to feel almost academic. |
| 179255 | Fran Hoepfner | TheWrap | Rotten | — | 2022-03-18T00:10:19Z | 2022-03-18 00:10:19 | Ohs face will transform into her mothers when berating her daughter; this is too obvious a metaphor, and the CGI is too haphazard. One of the best actors with one of the most expressive faces stars in this film let her go off the rails, already. |
| 179256 | Scott Mendelson | Forbes | Rotten | 3/10 | 2022-03-17T23:12:26Z | 2022-03-17 23:12:26 | Well-acted and well-intentioned, the sparse and scare-free Sandra Oh horror movie plays almost like a self-satire of recent small-budget, small-scale "Nothing happens, but it's about generational trauma!" chillers. |
Showing the latest 100 canonical reviews for this movie.