Its Name Was Mormo Review (2024)

Its Name Was Mormo Synopsis

A young family’s life unravels into chaos as a sinister presence targets each member in its own malicious manner.

My Thoughts on Its Name Was Mormo

Its Name Was Mormo isn’t a bad film, but it is quite a frustrating film, and it’s one of those found footage films where you can see the potential, but it’s buried under an avalanche of bad decisions and way too much padding.

It starts quite strong and interesting, and the way they presented the footage as part of some criminal psych group’s investigation feels a bit fresher than the usual “this was found in the woods” intro.

Then we meet this guy Mark, who is played by the actual director (Mark Andrew Bowers), which, by the way, is almost never a good idea unless your name’s Clint Eastwood.

Mark finds a creepy ass box that’s clearly screaming “don’t touch me, you dumb idiot.” And what does he do? Picks it up and takes it home like it’s a souvenir from a horror convention.

From that moment on, the whole movie kind of spirals into this slow-motion train wreck, and the second act especially drags really bad, and it’s got this Paranormal Activity vibe going on with it, where Mark decides to film everything ’cause spooky stuff’s happening (no shit, mate, you brought home a demonic antique).

So we’re treated to nearly an hour of him filming, and Mark awkwardly monologuing like he’s auditioning for a soap opera.

Some of the other acting wasn’t too bad though, Marcela Cardenas gave it a real go, so props to her. And the kid, Mia was fine, and she just existed, naturally creepy by default, along with her dog.

Honestly, if the movie had just been Mia and the dog surviving this whole mess without the grownups, it might’ve worked better, but no, we’re basically stuck with Mark who is basically a human wet blanket.

And they then try to explain why the family didn’t get help by saying they don’t speak the local language. Alright, sure. But what about getting rid of the box? Or, here’s a thought, maybe don’t live in the place where invisible hands keep slamming doors in your face? Just a suggestion.

The last act had a few solid moments, with some creepy visuals that actually looked real for once, but again, it overstayed its welcome.

Its Name Was Mormo had some great ingredients, and it could’ve been genuinely scary, and while it was not a total waste of time, it’s definitely one of those films where you finish it and go, “Well, that could have been good…“

Its Name Was Mormo Trailer
Its Name Was Mormo on IMDB

It’s Name Was Mormo Good Points

Creative Wraparound Format – The way the footage is framed as part of an investigation feels quite fresh and interesting.

Decent Dread in the Middle Section – Despite dragging on, the second act has some genuine tension and unease.

Solid Sound Design – The sound work was pretty good. Subtle, unnerving, and actually helped create an atmosphere that the visuals sometimes couldn’t.

Its Name Was Mormo Bad Points

Mark’s Character (and Acting) – Wooden delivery, bad decision-making, and just plain hard to take seriously. Every time he got scared, it felt like a school play.

Painfully Slow Pacing – All three segments go on way too long, and there’s not enough happening to justify the runtime.

Lack of Payoff – For all the buildup, there’s very little actual horror shown. Lots of teasing, not enough delivering.

Is Its Name Was Mormo Worth Watching?

The movie does have some half decent atmosphere at times with decent sound design, but really, it just isn’t executed that well, and each segment just goes on too long, and is hard to take seriously at times.

It’s not a must watch, but if you’re in the mood for something moody and patient, you might get something out of it.

Where To Stream Its Name Was Mormo?

Apple TV
Amazon Video

Its Name Was Mormo Director and Cast

Director – Mark Andrew Bowers.

Main Cast – Mark Andrew Bowers, Mia Bowers, Marcela Cardenas.