Ma

The Oscar-winning actress (Octavia Spencer) is the only reason to see "Ma," and she's clearly having a grand old campy time playing Sue Ann.

During every savage attack, the audience laughed uproariously. Is this what we've come to?

It's creepy and suspenseful and, although the last act goes on auto-pilot, the film offers a better-than-average experience for those who like their psychopaths unhinged.

Taylor and Spencer's detour to horror drifts, ever backward, into the zone of schmaltz.

There's nothing but the immediate mechanics of the plot and a straightforward stoking of revulsion, fear, and gratification.

Spencer is hugely watchable, as ever, but I'd love to have seen her get her teeth into an even meatier Ma.

We gradually learn more about Ma's backstory, and the only real twist is how mundane it all is.

It was good. I'd recommend it.

Super campy, over the top, fun.

Octavia Spencer delivers an unnerving, daring performance...but this is stupid.