Moviegoers who bought tickets for Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic The Odyssey were expecting mythology, action and a big-screen cinematic spectacle.

Instead, some walked out of the theatre talking about something else entirely — a horror trailer that reportedly left audiences jumping in their seats.

The trailer in question is for Other Mommy, an upcoming supernatural horror film starring Jessica Chastain. The preview was shown before screenings of The Odyssey and quickly became a talking point online, with viewers sharing their surprise at how effectively the trailer caught them off guard.

The unusual marketing strategy appears to have worked. What began as a trailer shown to cinema audiences soon turned into an online conversation, with some viewers warning others about the jump scare while others debated whether the reaction was proof of a genuinely frightening preview — or simply a very clever piece of movie marketing.

From a Sweet Family Moment to Something Much Darker…

The trailer initially gives audiences little reason to expect a full-blown horror experience.

Jessica Chastain appears as Ursula, a mother spending time with her young daughter, Bela. The atmosphere seems relatively calm at first, with the mother and daughter sharing an ordinary family moment.

Then things take a disturbing turn.

The story revolves around eight-year-old Bela, who encounters a sinister entity that emerges from her closet and calls itself “Other Mommy.” The terrifying presence appears to resemble her real mother, creating an unsettling question at the heart of the film: what happens when a child can no longer tell whether the person standing in front of her is actually her mother?

That identity confusion is central to the trailer’s appeal. Chastain effectively plays with the contrast between a familiar, loving parent and something far more sinister hiding behind the same face.

And then comes the moment that reportedly caught many The Odyssey audiences completely off guard.

A sudden scare involving Chastain’s character transformed the mood inside theatres, prompting startled reactions from viewers. Some social media users described the experience as unexpectedly intense, particularly because they had arrived expecting previews before a major epic rather than a horror trailer designed to make them jump.

Why Was the Trailer Shown Before ‘The Odyssey’?

There is a connection between the two films that goes beyond simply sharing a cinema screen.

Both The Odyssey and Other Mommy are connected to Universal Pictures, making the placement of the horror preview before Nolan’s blockbuster a natural promotional opportunity for the studio.

But the strategy had an unintended side effect: viewers began discussing the trailer almost as much as the film they had actually come to watch.

The buzz spread across social media, where moviegoers shared warnings and reactions. Some joked about needing a support group after the screening, while others argued that the trailer was not particularly frightening and that the online reaction itself had become part of the marketing campaign.

Either way, the trailer achieved something every movie studio wants — people started talking.

Jessica Chastain Returns to Horror

For Chastain, Other Mommy marks another major entry into the horror genre.

The Oscar-winning actor has previously appeared in horror films including Mama and It: Chapter Two, and her latest role once again places her at the centre of an unsettling supernatural story.

This time, however, the challenge is particularly intriguing because Chastain is playing a character whose identity becomes increasingly difficult to separate from the terrifying entity haunting the family.

The film also stars Arabella Olivia Clark as Bela, alongside Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed and Karen Allen. Rob Savage, known for genre films such as Host, directs the movie.

Based on a Bestselling Horror Novel

Other Mommy is based on Josh Malerman’s horror novel Incidents Around the House, which centres on a young girl confronting a disturbing presence that appears to have a deeply personal connection to her family.

The film adaptation is being produced by names familiar to horror fans, including James Wan, with Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster among the production companies involved. Universal Pictures is distributing the film.

The combination of a popular horror novelist, established genre producers and Chastain in a dual role has already generated curiosity — and the trailer’s unexpected reception may have given the film an early promotional boost.

The Horror Trailer Has Already Done Its Job

Movie trailers rarely become the story themselves.

But Other Mommy appears to have achieved exactly that.

Instead of simply introducing an upcoming horror film, its trailer became a shared cinema experience. People who had never heard of the movie before suddenly found themselves discussing it online, warning friends about the jump scare and debating whether they should watch the full film.

That is a powerful start for a horror movie that is still months away from release.

And if the trailer is any indication, Other Mommy may have more than one reason to make audiences uncomfortable. The film’s central fear isn’t simply about a monster hiding in the dark. It is about something much more unsettling — the possibility that the person you trust most may not be who you think they are.

Other Mommy is scheduled to arrive in theatres on October 9, 2026.

So, if you’re heading to the cinema for The Odyssey and see the name Other Mommy appear among the previews, consider this your warning.

The real surprise may arrive before the movie even begins.

The entertainment world is mourning the sudden death of Kaylee Hottle, the young deaf actor who won hearts around the world as Jia in the Godzilla franchise. Hottle died at the age of 18 after a car crash in Maryland early Tuesday morning, according to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash happened in the Ijamsville area before 3 a.m. local time. Authorities said the vehicle left the road and struck a culvert. Hottle was one of two passengers in the car. The driver, a 19-year-old Frederick man, was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, while the other passenger reportedly did not require medical treatment. Investigators believe excessive speed may have played a role, though the circumstances remain under investigation.

Hottle’s death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the deaf community, where she was admired not only for her acting talent but also for bringing authentic representation to a major global film franchise.

A Young Star Who Made History on the Big Screen

Hottle became internationally known for portraying Jia, an orphaned girl who develops a powerful connection with Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong and its sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Her character’s relationship with Kong was portrayed through sign language, creating one of the most distinctive emotional threads in the modern MonsterVerse films.

For Hottle, the role was also deeply personal.

She was a native signer of American Sign Language (ASL) and came from a deaf family. Her ability to communicate through sign language was not simply part of her performance—it was a natural part of who she was.

Her portrayal of Jia gave audiences around the world a rare example of a deaf young person at the centre of a major Hollywood blockbuster.

Family Shares Heartbreaking News

Hottle’s parents, Joshua and Ketsi Hottle, shared emotional messages about their daughter’s death.

Her father, speaking in ASL, said the family was devastated and that Kaylee’s mother and her four siblings were grieving together at home.

He also spoke about the journey to Maryland to bring his daughter’s body home.

In an especially poignant moment, Joshua Hottle expressed forgiveness toward the driver involved in the crash.

His message was strikingly compassionate. He said he had forgiven the driver and urged him not to allow the incident to destroy the rest of his life.

The family’s response has touched many people online, with fans and members of the deaf community expressing sympathy for the Hottles.

Kaylee’s mother also shared a message in ASL, saying she still felt that her daughter was with the family.

‘Godzilla’ Co-Stars Remember Kaylee

Tributes began pouring in from Hottle’s friends and colleagues soon after news of her death emerged.

Millie Bobby Brown, who appeared alongside Hottle in the Godzilla films, expressed her grief on social media, saying that Kaylee would be deeply missed.

Alexander Skarsgård, another of Hottle’s co-stars, had previously spoken about working with the young actor and learning ASL to communicate with her.

In earlier comments about Hottle’s work, Skarsgård praised her professionalism and her ability to quickly respond to direction on set.

For a young actor still at the beginning of her career, such recognition from established stars highlighted the impression she had already made in Hollywood.

Her Role Meant More Than Just Acting

Hottle’s journey into the Godzilla franchise was unusual.

In a 2024 interview with The Associated Press, she explained that she had not grown up watching monster movies before being cast in Godzilla. Her father helped her understand the genre before she stepped into the role that would make her internationally known.

She also spoke about the impact of sudden fame.

After the first film, Hottle wondered whether she would be able to return to something resembling a normal life. While classmates recognised her, she said the experience was not as overwhelming as she had initially feared.

Despite her growing profile, Hottle remained deeply connected to her family.

In that interview, she said her parents and sisters were among the people she admired most.

That sentiment now carries an even greater emotional weight following her sudden death.

A Career That Was Only Beginning

Although Hottle was best known for the Godzilla films, her acting career had already begun to expand.

She appeared in a 2021 episode of Magnum P.I. and was also listed as part of the cast of the upcoming film What Doesn’t Kill Us.

Her co-star in that project, Alaqua Cox, also expressed heartbreak over her death.

Cox, who is deaf herself, has been an important figure in increasing deaf representation on screen. Her tribute reflected the profound sense of loss felt within a community that had watched Hottle become a visible young talent.

Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur Join the Tributes

Hottle’s death also prompted emotional reactions from some of the most prominent deaf actors in Hollywood.

Oscar-winning actor Marlee Matlin shared a tribute mourning the loss of Hottle and celebrating her beauty and talent.

Troy Kotsur, known for his Academy Award-winning performance in CODA, also expressed his grief.

Kotsur said Hottle’s death made him think about his own daughter and served as a painful reminder not to take time with loved ones for granted.

Their messages highlighted how Hottle’s influence extended beyond the Godzilla franchise. For many deaf viewers and performers, she represented a young generation of talent breaking through barriers in mainstream entertainment.

Texas School for the Deaf Offers Support

The Texas School for the Deaf also confirmed Hottle’s death and announced that counselling and support services would be available to students and friends affected by the tragedy.

The school urged people to keep Kaylee’s loved ones in their thoughts as the community mourns her loss.

The response reflects the breadth of the tragedy. Hottle was not simply a rising Hollywood performer—she was a daughter, sister, friend and a young woman who had become a source of representation for many.

A Life That Ended Far Too Soon

Kaylee Hottle’s career was still in its early stages.

At just 18, she had already appeared in two major Hollywood productions, worked alongside some of the industry’s biggest names and become a recognisable face to millions of moviegoers.

Her portrayal of Jia was particularly meaningful because it placed a deaf character—and a deaf actor—at the emotional heart of a global blockbuster franchise.

Now, the young actor’s life and work are being remembered by fans, filmmakers, fellow performers and the deaf community.

The investigation into the Maryland crash continues, while her family faces an unimaginable loss.

For those who watched her on screen, Hottle will be remembered as the young actor who brought a quiet but powerful connection between Jia and Kong to life.

For those who knew her personally, she was much more than a movie star.

She was Kaylee—a daughter, a sister and a young talent whose story ended far too soon.

For years, The Walt Disney Company has transformed its beloved animated classics into live-action spectacles, often with impressive commercial success. But the disappointing opening weekend of Moana has sparked a new debate across Hollywood: Is Disney’s remake strategy beginning to lose momentum?

The weaker-than-expected box office debut comes as a surprise, particularly because the Moana franchise had recently experienced renewed popularity following the strong performance of its 2024 animated sequel. That success led many industry observers to believe a live-action adaptation would become another major theatrical hit.

Instead, the film’s opening has fallen short of expectations, prompting analysts to examine several possible reasons behind the underwhelming launch.

One frequently cited factor is audience fatigue. Over the past decade, Disney has released numerous live-action versions of animated favorites, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. While several achieved impressive box office numbers, critics and audiences have increasingly questioned whether every animated classic needs a live-action reinterpretation.

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Industry experts also suggest that the original Moana remains exceptionally popular on streaming platforms, making some families less motivated to purchase cinema tickets for a story they already know well. In today’s entertainment landscape, viewers have more choices than ever, and nostalgia alone may no longer guarantee theatrical success.

Competition from other releases may have further impacted ticket sales. The global box office has become increasingly crowded, with studios releasing high-profile franchise films, original productions, and event movies throughout the year. Standing out has become significantly more challenging, even for one of Disney’s most recognizable brands.

The performance also raises broader strategic questions for Disney as it balances theatrical releases with its expanding streaming business through Disney+. The company has invested billions in adapting its most beloved animated properties, believing familiar stories reduce financial risk while attracting global audiences.

However, a slower start for Moana suggests that brand recognition alone may no longer be enough. Audiences are increasingly seeking fresh storytelling, original concepts, and cinematic experiences that offer something beyond nostalgia.

That does not necessarily mean Disney’s remake strategy is ending. The company continues to possess one of the strongest libraries in entertainment and has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing audience preferences. Still, the latest box office results may encourage executives to reassess which animated classics are best suited for live-action treatment and how future projects are positioned in the marketplace.

For Hollywood, Moana‘s opening serves as another reminder that even globally recognized franchises face evolving audience expectations. Success today depends not only on a famous title but also on delivering a compelling reason for moviegoers to return to theaters.

As Disney evaluates the film’s long-term performance, industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the company adjusts its live-action roadmap—or doubles down on one of its most successful creative strategies.