MovieTimeहिन्दी
Horror · Drama · Romance
The Dark Mother (2023)
द डार्क मदर
23 Nov 202390 minKhmer
Set in a bygone era in Cambodia, The Dark Mother follows Nuon, a pregnant woman who fears her baby may not survive. While her husband is away, the villagers brand her the Dark Mother, and even local children keep their distance. The separation from her family leaves her shattered, and the story turns on what a mother owes her children.
Editorial preview: written from official information, the trailer and public sources — not a full viewing of the film. Cover and illustrations are original AI-generated artwork — not official posters or stills from the film.
Synopsis
Set in a bygone era in Cambodia, The Dark Mother follows Nuon, a pregnant woman who fears her baby may not survive. While her husband is away, the villagers brand her the Dark Mother, and even local children keep their distance. The separation from her family leaves her shattered, and the story turns on what a mother owes her children.
The Dark Mother 2023: a Khmer horror about a village's fear
The Dark Mother 2023 is a Cambodian horror drama in the Khmer language, listed under the original title ម៉ែក្រឡាភ្លើង. It is set in a bygone era, in a small village, and its centre is a woman named Nuon, played by Seng ChanLaiee according to TMDB.
The premise, as summarised in the listing data, is simple and human before it is supernatural. Nuon is pregnant and worried that her baby may not survive. When her husband is away, neighbours decide she is the figure they call the Dark Mother, and the village turns on her. The story is about suspicion, isolation and a mother's determination, with the ghost-story layer built on top of that.
Because we have not watched the film, this page is a preview and background guide, not a verdict.
Where to watch it free on YouTube
A full-length copy is on YouTube, uploaded by the channel Sastra Film, which is also the production company credited on TMDB. The upload is dated 12 April 2026 and carries the title "The Dark Mother | ម៉ែក្រឡាភ្លើង [ Feature Film - Horror ]". Its description calls it a full feature film.
A note on running time: TMDB lists 90 minutes, while the YouTube upload shows about 84 minutes. The gap may come from credits or trimming, but we cannot confirm the reason, so treat both numbers as approximate. We have not confirmed subtitle options, so check the player's settings yourself.
On this page the film plays only through YouTube's official embedded player, and there is a link to the Sastra Film channel. All rights belong to their respective owners, and availability can change at any time if the uploader edits or removes the video.
Cast and crew behind the film
TMDB credits Kou Darachan as director and Sorn Sreylin for both story and screenplay, with Suk Dara as cinematographer. The cast list names Seng ChanLaiee as Nuon, alongside Thul Makara, Hong Chansorvorleak, Men Keosaopiseth and Vannak Sokhavireakyuth. Character names for the others are not listed, so we do not guess them.
The channel's description also lists production credits, including an executive producer and a script editor, which suggests a fairly organised local production. Beyond that, we have no verified details on budget, festival history or awards, and we will not invent any.
What to expect, and a viewing warning
Expect a slow, folklore-flavoured story where the community is as threatening as any spirit. TMDB tags it as horror, drama and romance, so the family bond is likely to matter as much as the scares. That is our reading of the listed premise, not something we have seen on screen.
This is a horror film and is not suitable for young children. It deals with pregnancy fears, social rejection and a mother separated from her family, which some viewers may find upsetting.
Who will enjoy The Dark Mother?
- Viewers who like folklore-based ghost stories from Southeast Asia
- Anyone curious about Khmer-language cinema who wants a free full-length film
- Adults who prefer horror built on family and community tension, not only jump scares
Watch free on YouTube
The Dark Mother | ម៉ែក្រឡាភ្លើង [ Feature Film - Horror ] – Full movie · Channel: Sastra Film
This film is embedded from YouTube using the official player. It is uploaded by the channel shown and plays only on YouTube; rights belong to their owners.
Cast
FAQ
Where can I watch The Dark Mother (2023) free?
A full-length upload is on the Sastra Film YouTube channel, dated 12 April 2026. On this page it plays through YouTube's official embedded player. Availability can change if the uploader removes or edits the video.
What language is the film in, and is there a Hindi version?
The original language is Khmer, the language of Cambodia, and the original title is ម៉ែក្រឡាភ្លើង. We found no Hindi-dubbed version listed, and we have not confirmed subtitle options on the upload.
Is The Dark Mother suitable for children?
No. It is a horror film with themes of pregnancy fears and social rejection, so it is better suited to adults and older teens. We have not watched it, so check parental guidance yourself.
When was The Dark Mother released?
The Dark Mother was released on 23 Nov 2023.
Who directed The Dark Mother?
The Dark Mother was directed by Kou Darachan.
How long is The Dark Mother?
The Dark Mother runs for 90 minutes.
