Octavia Spencer Returns for Ma Sequel

At its inaugural Business of Fear symposium held Tuesday, Blumhouse Productions made the announcement that Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer is officially set to reprise her role in a sequel to "Ma", the 2019 psychological horror thriller that became a sleeper hit. The original film, directed by Tate Taylor (The Help) and penned by screenwriter Scotty Landes, earned over $60 million globally on a modest $5 million budget, cementing its place as a cult favorite within the modern horror canon.

"Ma" follows the story of a lonely woman named Sue Ann, who strikes up an unexpected friendship with a group of high school students. Offering them her basement as a safe haven to party, her kindness quickly spirals into obsession, manipulation, and deeply twisted revenge. 

"Ma has become a social phenomenon since its debut, with fans deeply connecting to its dark humor, suspense, and of course, Octavia's unforgettable performance. We're excited to bring audiences back into Ma's world-because as she says, ‘Don't make me drink alone,' and we couldn't imagine continuing without her," said Jason Blum, Blumhouse Founder and CEO. 

The announcement came as part of a broader industry conversation hosted by Blumhouse called The Business of Fear, which examined the past, present, and future of horror storytelling. During the event, company leaders and horror experts, including President Abhijay Prakash, Atomic Monster's Director of Creative Production Alayna Glasthal, and film analyst and author Stephen Follows, shared insights into how horror has evolved in response to audience demands and shifting cultural sensibilities. Blum emphasized that a subgenre-based approach allows the studio to better meet audience expectations.

"Horror is not one-size-fits-all," he noted. "People want to be scared in different ways-some are drawn to psychological tension, others to visceral revenge or survival scenarios. Understanding this helps us craft better stories-and revisit old ones with fresh energy."

While plot details about the "Ma" sequel remain under wraps, the studio confirmed the project is in active development, with producers aiming to build on the original's twisted themes while exploring new psychological territory.