Mother! (2017), directed by Darren Aronofsky, is a surreal, symbolic, and often disturbing psychological thriller that shocked audiences with its layered allegory and intense imagery. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, the film tells the story of a woman whose seemingly tranquil home turns into a chaotic battleground of ego, worship, and destruction — all rooted in biblical and environmental symbolism.
Think you understood the metaphors, meanings, and madness? Take this 10-question trivia challenge and see if you can make sense of one of the most divisive and thought-provoking films of the decade.
Mother! (2017) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the lead role of the unnamed woman in mother! (2017)?
Correct Answer: Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence stars as the unnamed woman — often interpreted as “Mother Earth” — in a performance that is emotionally raw and physically intense. She’s in nearly every scene of the film, reacting to an increasingly surreal and horrifying invasion of her home and body.
- Who directed mother! (2017)?
Correct Answer: Darren Aronofsky
Darren Aronofsky, known for films like Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream, wrote and directed mother! as a symbolic narrative packed with biblical, environmental, and philosophical metaphors. His direction pushes boundaries, dividing audiences and critics alike with its unflinching style and dense allegory.
- What is the profession of the man referred to as “Him”?
Correct Answer: Poet
“Him,” played by Javier Bardem, is a poet struggling with writer’s block. His need for inspiration, praise, and adoration becomes symbolic of the God figure in the film’s allegory — a creator who craves worship, even at the expense of destruction.
- Where does the film primarily take place?
Correct Answer: Inside a remote country house
The entire story unfolds within a single house in the middle of nowhere. This house represents both Earth and the heart of creation. As it becomes crowded and destroyed by unwanted guests, it mirrors how humanity consumes and ruins its environment and sacred spaces.
- Which biblical figure is “Him” loosely inspired by in the film’s allegory?
Correct Answer: God
In Aronofsky’s allegorical structure, “Him” is a stand-in for God — a creator who opens his home (creation) to humanity, only for that gift to be abused. He is both powerful and tragically flawed, willing to allow destruction in order to receive love and devotion.
- What does the crystal object in Him’s study symbolize?
Correct Answer: The forbidden fruit or original creation
The mysterious glowing crystal, formed from ashes of a previous “Mother,” is symbolic of the original act of creation — akin to the forbidden fruit from Eden. When it is shattered by the first guests (mirroring Adam and Eve), chaos begins, and the cycle of human corruption unfolds.
- What happens after the woman gives birth?
Correct Answer: Her child is taken and killed by the followers
In one of the film’s most shocking scenes, the baby is taken by Him’s worshippers and passed around like a religious idol — ultimately dying. This event parallels the sacrifice of Christ, as well as the way humanity destroys innocence and life for the sake of ritual, belief, or control.
- What does the character of “Mother” represent in the film’s allegory?
Correct Answer: Mother Earth or nature
“Mother” symbolizes nature — nurturing, fertile, and fragile. She creates and sustains the home, only to be disrespected, overrun, and violated by humanity. Her pain reflects the damage humanity causes to the Earth, all in the name of progress, belief, and entitlement.
- What theme is central to mother! (2017)?
Correct Answer: Creation, destruction, and human ego
The film grapples with the cyclical nature of creation and destruction. It critiques the destructive tendencies of organized religion, unchecked devotion, and humanity’s relentless exploitation of nature. It also explores the ego of the creator — Him — who values adoration over compassion.
- How does the film end?
Correct Answer: The cycle begins again with a new “Mother”
After Mother unleashes apocalyptic destruction, Him removes her heart and creates a new crystal — restarting the entire process with a new woman in the same role. The ending emphasizes the endless, self-consuming loop of creation and destruction, suggesting a pattern doomed to repeat unless something changes.
