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Mothers from hell: The worst moms to make you appreciate yours more

By SAAB LARIOSA Published May 03, 2021 6:41 pm Updated May 03, 2021 7:08 pm

Sometimes, mother doesn't know best.

We can’t all have the sweet, apple pie-baking moms of the house. In case you ever need more reasons to go call up and hug your mom this Mother's Day on May 9, check out these fictional moms who've made their children's (and everyone else's) lives a living hell. Though they may not all have bad intentions, their children have got the scars to prove it.

Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and Cersei Lannister has definitely had the walk of shame to get there. Not only has she led her children astray with her power-hungry ways, but she's also [spoiler] literally lost them all along the way. 

Adelaide Wilson, Us

Every mom has their own quirks and peculiarities, but you might want to be more guarded if you find out your mom actually came from an alternate dimension when she was a little kid. Though the pseudo-Adelaide herself bore the children, you can't help but think that your entire identity has been a lie.

Norma Bates, Psycho and Bates Motel

Perhaps the most iconic messed-up mom of all time is Norma Bates, who literally led her son to become a crazed killer. Check out the 1960 film to see how Norman carried out his murderous deeds, while the NBC series focuses more on his long-winding journey to get there. Both mediums don't end very well for the mother-son tandem.

Margaret White, Carrie

Let's face it: Everyone's high school prom was a little awkward. But nothing compares to getting wiped out by pig's blood and discovering you've got telekinetic powers that your precious mother tried oh-so-hard to repress... by keeping you a prisoner in your own home. 

Annie Graham, Hereditary

No one screams "I AM YOUR MOTHER" quite like a Toni Collette in grief. This 2018 masterpiece by Midsommar director Ari Aster perfectly captures what it means for a mother to lose her ground and beliefs. Though Annie tried her best to not explicitly hurt her son, you can't beat the hellish quality of, well, walking on walls and burning your husband before your very eyes.

Do Hui-Jae, It's Okay To Not Be Okay

Even K-dramas have their fair share of mothers from hell. It's Okay To Not Be Okay's Do Hui-Jae, in particular, gave her daughter undeniable trauma and coldness that followed her all her life. Once Go Moon-Young overcame her trauma (and actually got her murderer mother arrested), her cool facade warmed and she finally accepted the love of others. How's that for childhood trauma?

MOTHER, I Am Mother 

Picture this: you're living in a post-apocalyptic world and the only other "living" being to care of you is a giant but nurturing robot. You'll take what you can get, right? This Hilary Swank-starred Netflix film takes us on a wild journey on what it means to depend on technology for everything. 

Other Mother, Coraline

Sometimes, the worst is only in your head. This 2009 cult classic sees 11-year old Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) wanting to forget and run away from her unavailable parents. She then goes off to discover an alternate world where her “Other Mother” and the life she thought was perfect actually isn't any better.