Mommie Dearest

Right now you can watch Mommie Dearest in the US on Kanopy and Hoopla — and it holds up to as much attention as you give it. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 241 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Watch it for Faye Dunaway — one of the stronger performances out there right now. Put it on tonight on Kanopy and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Mommie Dearest is worth clearing space for. The writing in Mommie Dearest treats its characters as people first, plot devices second. Renowned film star Joan Crawford's abuse towards Christina, her adopted daughter, intensifies as her professional and romantic relationships turn sour. Faye Dunaway and Diana Scarwid lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1981. The performances in Mommie Dearest do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Mommie Dearest is what you recommend to people who say they do not really watch much. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Faye Dunaway anchors a cast that never overplays its hand. The kind of drama that stays with you well after the finale.