Ma 2 with Octavia Spencer is in development

With worldwide box office takings of over 61 million dollars, the horror film "Ma" starring Octavia Spencer was quite successful. According to Variety, a sequel is now in development for which Spencer will reprise her role.

Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse, explained:

""Ma" has proven to be a social phenomenon since its release in 2019, with fans eagerly embracing the film and Octavia's iconic performance as Ma. So we're thrilled Octavia will join us again for a second round."

No director is currently known, nor is there any information about the plot or a release date. It is also unclear whether Tate Taylor will be directing again.

The story of the first film was as simple as it was creepy: a group of high school teenagers befriend the seemingly good-natured but lonely veterinarian Sue Ann Ellington, who allows them to party in the basement of her house. She quickly gains the nickname "Ma" – and just as quickly the party friend turns into a manipulative, deadly nightmare.

What made "Ma" stand out was not only Octavia Spencer's performance, but also the unique tension between psychological horror and black humor. This mixture made the film the ideal template for the Internet. Meme creators around the world jumped on the bandwagon: Images, quotes and parodies circulated en masse. The line "Don't let me drink alone" was particularly popular and quickly became a catchphrase.

Spencer herself showed humor by holding an online competition for the "best "Ma" meme" in 2020. In 2024, she even reprised her character in a video released as part of Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

Octavia Spencer – From supporting actress to Oscar winner: the actress's best-known films

Octavia Spencer is one of the most distinguished and versatile actresses in Hollywood today. With her distinctive voice, expressive facial expressions and a presence that enhances every role, she has developed from a longtime supporting actress to a celebrated leading figure in film and television. Over the course of her career, Spencer has appeared in a wide range of films – from award-winning dramas to unusual thrillers. Below is an overview of her best-known and most significant films.

The Help

Octavia Spencer's career reached a turning point with "The Help". In the southern drama, she plays Minny Jackson, a quick-witted domestic servant in 1960s Mississippi. Her performance was both humorous and heartbreaking – a finely tuned balancing act between anger, pain and strength. For this role, Spencer won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2012, as well as numerous other awards such as the BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG Award. "The Help" was her international breakthrough and made her a face of modern African-American cinema.

Hidden Figures

In this biographical drama, Spencer plays NASA mathematician Dorothy Vaughan, one of the African-American women who were instrumental in US space exploration – and overlooked for decades. The film was a surprise success at the box office and won several awards. Spencer received an Oscar nomination for her role – and once again proved her ability to embody historical figures with dignity and depth. "Hidden Figures" is an important piece of film history and underlines Spencer's commitment to films with social relevance.

Ma

In "Ma", Spencer showed a completely new side of herself: as the disturbing, mentally unstable loner Sue Ann Ellington, she let teenagers party in her basement – only to take cruel revenge later. The role as an unpredictable antagonist was a bold step away from the dramatic genre and was received with enthusiasm. Although "Ma" was not celebrated by all critics, it quickly became a cult film – especially on social media, where Spencer achieved cult status through memes and viral clips.

The Shape of Water

In Guillermo del Toro's multi-award-winning fantasy film about the love between a mute woman and an amphibian creature, Spencer plays Zelda, the main character's best friend. Her role adds warmth, humor and emotional grounding to the story. The film won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, and Spencer's contribution was again recognized with an Oscar nomination – her third in six years.

Fruitvale Station

In this based-on-true-events drama about the last 24 hours in the life of Oscar Grant – a young black man who was shot dead by a policeman – Spencer plays Grant's mother. Her performance is restrained, emotional and deeply human. "Fruitvale Station" was an important contribution to the social debate on police violence in the USA and is considered one of the most important independent films of the decade. Spencer was convincing in a deeply dramatic, supporting role.

Luce

In this multi-layered psychological drama, Spencer plays a teacher who finds herself in a moral conflict with one of her pupils. The film explores issues of prejudice, societal expectations and the question of how much responsibility people have for each other. Spencer's performance is nuanced and intense – another example of her ability to credibly embody complex moral roles.

Conclusion

Over the course of her career, Octavia Spencer has not only established herself as a world-class character actress, but also as a symbol of diversity, strength and change in Hollywood. Whether as a NASA pioneer, tragic mother figure or vengeful outsider, she brings authenticity, depth and emotional power to every role. Her filmography is an impressive testament to her versatility – and is far from over.