Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Good Madam’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Good Madam’.
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There was a time, where horror movies and shows, leaned heavily into featured monsters to express an important message. For having a monster stand in to explore themes regarding say… the nature of consumerism or our fears of death, made the exploration of such matters far more palatable to audiences and it offered a sense of escapism as well. Since the viewer was able to immerse themselves within the fantastical, while a zombie or a werewolf or a vampire… helped them to inadvertently learn more about the problems of our world or the human condition as a whole. But as the genre continues to evolve, something incredible is starting to happen with how it delivers its messages and analyses.
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For audiences are quickly warming up to having horror stories be realistic in nature and present their commentary or observations in a direct manner. Which is allowing for our traumas and problems to be presented to us in the raw. Which in turn is leading to a fascinating new wave of horror stories to come to life. The kind that really hold nothing back anymore and put the horrors of the world on full display, offering up a bold new era for the genre, one that is sometimes intimate. Since this move is allowing for the genre to educate and in some cases, help audiences to heal or seek help with what whatever it is that is eating at them. If anything, this evolution is top of mind today, simply because Shudder is now host to a film that explores topics in that raw manner in Good Madam.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a mother named Tsidi who is in quite the troublesome place. For the death of her grandmother, the woman that raised her, has led to strife. For now, the family is fighting over possessions and who will live in the house that Tsidi was raised in and that, is more than she can bear. She simply wants a quality place to raise her own daughter, and that drives her to move in with her mother, Mavis. A decision that comes with its own baggage. For Mavis is the live-in housekeeper of a woman named Diane and well, it quickly becomes apparent to Tsidi that Diane means more to her mother than blood, and that this move is going to challenge Tsidi like never before. Courtesy of that conflict and the unresolved trauma regarding her mother that is now bubbling to the surface of her mind.

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Which makes this motion picture, a grand look at the sins of the parent, and how the poor decisions a mother and father can make… will create lasting damage for their child. The kind that will haunt them into adulthood and makes them desperate to heal and equally as desperate to have the balance they never enjoyed when they were younger. A move that really does allow for some intimate horror to be put on display since there are echoes of trauma that we’ve all experienced on some level present here, and that definitely makes the viewer uncomfortable and gives them pause and well, this is indeed a brave route to go. Since this movie features some raw and visceral commentary on family and its failings and people do treat that kind of talk as taboo. But it allows for impactful and unique scares to take place, the kind that stay with you because of their realism.
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Yet what’s amazing, is that this film has more real-world horrors to explore. Because this movie also has a lot of say about institutional racism. Something that has to be addressed since this is a film based in South Africa where Apartheid ruled the day for generations, and it is handled in a powerful manner. Since the story is quick to point out how class standing, and wealth inequality continue to create conditions that help to keep Black people in a suppressed status and how kindness and fake virtue from the white upper class creates a false sense of freedom. When in fact, that kindness is being used to exert control and keep a minority in check and that’s incredible commentary for certain… the kind that reminds us that while we’ve made progress with equality, we still have quite far to go.

In the end, this is just… a fascinating and unique horror film. One that defies convention and provides us with a unique take on trauma and racism and some other ills of the world we simply don’t like to speak to, in a refreshing manner. Plus, this film uses visceral imagery and visual metaphors to sometimes get its point across. Making it one of the most original horror films of the year for certain and it is one that will likely require multiple viewings in order to properly assimilate the commentary and messaging present here and the good news, is that you’re able to start that process right now. For Good Madam is available to stream on Shudder and we certainly hope you give it a look, so you too can enjoy the majesty of this wonderful and engaging horror story.

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