“I was born in the early 60s, so I could relate to how my mother was”: Benoit Delhomme on Mothers’ Instinct

Mother’s Instinct is the 1960s suburbia-set family drama from cinematographer-turned-director Benoit Delhomme. Using meticulously created sets and costumes that vividly evoke the era – and make very clear his background in filmmaking – Delhomme’s movie brings together two powerhouse actresses to go head to head in what quickly descends into tense psychological thriller territory. Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway take on their roles as two women juggling their duties as wives and mothers with their identities in a claustrophobic societal setting with gusto, the tension between them simmering in each and every take. As proceedings take a darker and darker turn, the feature questions what it takes to be a mother and how preconceptions about a woman’s mental state can make it hard to be taken seriously.

The Upcoming sat down with the filmmaker for an in-depth chat about helming the movie. He discussed the story’s emotional depth, his transition from cinematographer to director, working with Chastain and Hathaway and creating the film’s authentic period design.

Sarah Bradbury

Mothers’ Instinct is released digitally on demand on 13^th May 2024.

Watch the trailer for Mothers’ Instinct here: