Mother of Flies is a 2026 American supernatural folk horror film from the Adams Family filmmaking collective. The movie was written, directed, shot, edited, and performed by John Adams, Toby Poser, and their daughters Zelda and Lulu Adams.
Blending intimate family drama with extreme folk horror, the film follows a young woman seeking a forbidden cure for terminal illness.
The story is original and not based on a book or franchise. Mother of Flies won the Cheval Noir Award for Best Film at the 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival and premieres exclusively on Shudder on January 23, 2026.
Mother of Flies Age Rating
Based on its graphic content, reviews, and festival descriptions, the film aligns closely with an R rating or TV-MA classification. The movie contains extreme body horror, disturbing imagery, and intense psychological themes centered on death and decay. The tone is relentlessly bleak and unsettling, with prolonged scenes designed to shock and disturb mature viewers. This content is far beyond what is appropriate for children or most teens.
Violence & Peril
Violence in Mother of Flies is graphic and visceral. The film includes bloody ritualistic acts, puncturing and slicing of flesh, and close-up depictions of bodily harm. Practical effects emphasize decay, infection, and physical suffering. The danger is sustained and deeply uncomfortable, with pain presented as part of a ritualized healing process.
Language
Strong language appears throughout the film, including frequent profanity. Dialogue reflects emotional distress, fear, and desperation. The language is consistent with other Adams Family horror films and supports the grim, adult tone.
Mature Themes
The film deals heavily with terminal cancer, mortality, grief, and the fear of death. Themes of bodily decay, nature feeding on death, and morally extreme survival choices dominate the narrative. Disturbing imagery includes rotting animals, insects, and maggots. There is no sexual content, but nudity related to ritual and medical treatment may be present in a non-sexual context.
Is Mother of Flies Suitable for Teens?
Ages 12–14: No. The graphic gore, disturbing imagery, and heavy themes make this film completely unsuitable.
Ages 15–16: No. Even horror-experienced teens are likely to find the body horror and terminal illness themes overwhelming.
Ages 17+: With Guidance. Older teens with strong horror tolerance may watch, but parental discretion is strongly advised.
Final Recommendation: Mother of Flies is best suited for adults aged 18 and up.
What Parents Can Do
- Prepare viewers for extreme body horror and emotionally heavy subject matter before watching.
- Discuss the film’s themes of death, illness, and ethical boundaries after viewing.
- Remind teens that the rituals and healing portrayed are fictional and symbolic.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Mother of Flies?
A: The film is unrated but strongly aligns with an R or TV-MA rating.
Q: Is Mother of Flies appropriate for kids?
A: No. The content is far too disturbing and graphic for children.
Q: Is Mother of Flies okay for teens?
A: Most teens should not watch it. Only older teens with guidance may consider it.
Q: Does the movie include graphic violence or gore?
A: Yes. The film contains intense body horror, bloody rituals, and disturbing imagery.
Q: Is there sexual content in Mother of Flies?
A: There is no sexual content, but there may be non-sexual nudity tied to rituals or medical scenes.
Q: Where can I watch Mother of Flies?
A: The film streams exclusively on Shudder starting January 23, 2026.