“Other Mommy” Ending Explained: Does the Evil Entity Take Over Bela’s Body?
“Other Mommy” Ending Explained: Does the Evil Entity Take Over Bela’s Body?
Kelly AllenSat, October 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM UTC
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Jessica Chastain ‘Other Mommy’Credit: Universal Pictures/Youtube -
Other Mommy, starring Jessica Chastain, hit theaters on Oct. 9
The horror film, based on the novel Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, follows 7-year-old Bela and an evil entity that wants to possess her body
Arabella Olivia Clark and Jay Duplass are also part of the cast
Other Mommy redefines letting someone into your heart.
The horror film, which hit theaters on Oct. 9, stars Jessica Chastain in a dual role as mom Ursula and an evil entity known as “Other Mommy” that takes the shape of Ursula. Based on the novel Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, the movie centers on Other Mommy’s mission to possess the body of Ursula’s 7-year-old daughter Bela (Arabella Olivia Clark) while terrifying the rest of the family, including dad Russ (Jay Duplass).
The film explores themes of motherhood and the perception of parental protection.
“It’s very female-forward, this movie,” Chastain told Porter in October. “I like to challenge the expectation that women are supposed to be grateful for everything — that includes motherhood.”
So, how does Other Mommy end? Here’s everything to know about the movie’s final scenes.
What happens in Other Mommy?
Jessica Chastain in ‘Other Mommy’Credit: Universal Pictures/Youtube
In the beginning of the film, Other Mommy lives in the dark depths of Bela’s closet. The entity presents itself to her as Ursula, Bela’s workaholic mom whom she rarely gets to see and who is having an affair with their family friend, Frank (Arian Moayed).
Other Mommy promises Bela endless love and protection from the tension inside her home. It consistently asks her to let her into her heart — a cute way of phrasing, “Can I possess your body?” Although the evil entity can turn people into dust and goo, it requires permission for possession.
How does Other Mommy end?
Arabella Olivia Clark ‘Other Mommy’Credit: Universal Pictures/Youtube
No, Other Mommy does not possess Bela’s body.
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Bela beats Other Mommy’s trickery by realizing that her parents are flawed, meaning they may sometimes hurt her and they can’t always protect her. Bela does a bit of growing up in that reality check, which is a key part of her survival.
However, the final scene implies that their ending isn’t so perfect. While Bela and Russ are laughing during a familial scene, Ursula looks upset and disappointed.
Ursula doesn’t seem to be taking their defeat of the monstrous being as well as Bela and Russ do, as the haunting didn’t necessarily change her marital issues or feelings about motherhood.
Did Other Mommy die?
Jessica Chastain ‘Other Mommy’Credit: Universal Pictures/Youtube
When Bela decides to not let Other Mommy into her heart, the family believes Other Mommy is gone for good.
However, that may not be the case, as Other Mommy makes an appearance post-credits. She briefly faces the camera and shushes the audience — so, it seems like the malevolent being is, unfortunately, still around.
How does the movie ending differ from the book ending?
Jessica Chastain ‘Other Mommy’Credit: Universal Pictures/Youtube
Although Bela doesn’t let Other Mommy into her heart in the movie, she does exactly that in the book.
In the book, Ursula and Russ try to kill Other Mommy. However, their attempt fails and Other Mommy beats them to death while Bela hides in a closet. Bela then realizes her grandma’s corpse is in the closet with her — courtesy of Other Mommy.
With no one and nothing left, Bela allows Other Mommy to possess her. Bela’s soul ends up in the void, while Other Mommy pulls her body’s strings.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
