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BothAnne HathawayandJessica Chastainmight be promoting their recent projectsEileenandMemorycoming out in theaters later this year, but they have a lot to look forward to as they reunite onscreen in the upcoming US version ofMothers' Instinct. The film is based on a novel byBarbara Abel, and it tackles a friendship between two women that is forever transformed after a fatal accident.Hathaway revealed in an interview with Vogue Hong Kongthat her role in the forthcoming thriller is her “hardest one” yet, which only adds to the anticipation for this adaptation to the screen. From cast details to the plot, here is everything that we know so far about the suspenseful project set in the 1960s.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on June 22, 2025.
Mothers' Instinct
Alice and Celine live a traditional lifestyle with successful husbands and sons of the same age. Life’s perfect harmony is suddenly shattered after a tragic accident. Guilt, suspicion and paranoia combine to unravel their sisterly bond.
Does ‘Mothers’ Instinct' Have a Release Date?
The release date for the film hasn’t been revealed yet,but the film’s official postersays it will be out soon. Even thoughMothers' Instinctwrapped up in July 2022, much hasn’t been disclosed about a theatrical release or whether it will land on streaming directly.Several images of Hathaway and Chastain on setsurfaced online last year, revealing the actresses in their 1960s attire and hairdos.The Devil Wears Pradalead even left Cannes early in 2022 after her festival debut so that she could return to work on the project in New Jersey.
Is There a Trailer for ‘Mothers’ Instinct'?
Theofficial trailer forMothers' Instinctwas released by Studiocanal on August 05, 2025, giving audiences their first official look at the film.
Who is Starring in ‘Mothers’ Instinct'?
Even though the release date and trailer haven’t come out yet, there is information available about the film’s main cast. As previously mentioned, Academy Award-winners Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain will play the two best friends that undergo a fall-out after a tragic accident. The two actresses shared the screen before inChristopher Nolan’sInterstellarback in 2014. Since then, they have both been busy with other onscreen endeavors. Last year, Hathaway starred in the Apple TV + seriesWeCrashedalongsideJared Leto, which followed the true story of the rise and fall of a startup called WeWork. She also played Esther Graff inArmageddon Time,described by Collider’s own Ross Bonaimeas “one of Gray’s most ambitious tales so far, even if it isn’t quite as effective in presenting its ideas as it should be”. Meanwhile, Chastain has been busy with various roles after winning an Oscar for Best Actress in early 2022. From starring as Amy Loughren in Netflix’sThe Good Nurseto playing another Tammy on a Showtime original series, the actress has continued to not only deliver memorable onscreen performances but also remained vocal about actors' rights during the SAG-AFTRA strike. Since her latest project (Memory) had an interim agreement, she used her opportunity topromote the film as a way to continue to support the strike.
In an interview with IndieWire on the 48th Annual Chaplin Gala, Chastain described the upcoming project as similar toWhat Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which starredBette DavisandJoan Crawford. Different from the animosity between Davis and Crawford on set,The Eyes of Tammy Fayeactress shared that she had a lot of fun working opposite Hathaway:
“Of course it’s a different kind of film, but it’s this idea of these two actresses coming together and playing this…the tension I think is very interesting. Thank god Annie and I love each other, so it’s a little different than that experience.”
Other names tied to the film areJosh Charles(The Good Wife) andAnders Danielson Lie(The Worst Person in the World),who are expected to play the husbands of Hathaway and Chastain’s characters.Gossip GirlactressCaroline Lagerfeltis also joining the project, but her role hasn’t been revealed yet.
Who Is Making ‘Mothers’ Instinct'?
Benoit Delhommeis responsible for directingMothers' Instinctand this will be his directorial debut. After working as a cinematographer on films likeLady Chatterley’s LoverandA Most Wanted Man, Delhomme is ready to lead the ensemble and crew in this new role. The screenplay was written bySarah Conradt, who had previously worked on two episodes of50 States of Fright. NEON acquired the distribution rights ofMothers' Instinct, which will be produced by Hathaway, Chaistain, andKelly Carmichael(the latter two under production company Freckle Films).
Freckle Films shared the following statementafter NEON was announced as the film’s official US distributor:
“Neon is a true filmmaker’s haven. Their unique vision and distinctive campaigns are a reflection of their mission to bring the best and most diverse cinematic experience to US audiences. Mothers’ Instinct will be in excellent hands with Tom and the team.”
Other producers of the upcoming thriller arePaul Nelsonof Mosaic andJacques-Henri Bronckart.
Is ‘Mothers’ Instinct' a Remake?
Yes indeed, the movie is essentially a US version of a Belgian picture calledDuelles, directed byOlivierMasset-Depasse. The first onscreen adaptation of Barbara Abel’s novel came out in 2018, and it featured actressesVeerle BaetensandAnne Coesensas the leads.Duelleswas critically acclaimed and evenwon Best Feature at the Chicago International Film Festival. The film also received9 awards at the Magritte Awards, a prestigious ceremony in Belgium.
Even though Benoit Delhomme went on to direct the US version,Masset-Depasse was originally announced as the director of the remake.
What Is ‘Mothers’ Instinct' About?
The official synopsis from Studiocanal reads:
Starring Academy Award winners Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway, Mothers’ Instinct is an unnerving psychological thriller about two best friends and neighbors, Alice and Céline, whose perfect lives in ‘60s suburbia are shattered by a tragic accident involving one of their children. Marking the directorial debut of acclaimed cinematographer Benoit Delhomme, we follow Alice and Céline as their familial bonds are gradually undermined by guilt and paranoia and a gripping battle of wills develops, revealing the darker side of maternal love.
