Mommie Dearest is a 1981 American biographical drama film directed by Frank Perry, based on the autobiography of the same name by Joan Crawford's daughter, Christina Crawford. The film stars Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, Mara Hobel as young Christina Crawford, and Diana Scarwid as teenage Christina Crawford.
The film follows the life of Joan Crawford, a famous Hollywood actress and her relationship with her adopted daughter, Christina. After the death of her fourth husband, Joan takes in two abandoned children and gradually becomes emotionally unstable. She becomes increasingly controlling, abusive, and erratic, especially towards Christina.
Joan's abusive behavior is depicted in several scenes, including one in which she frantically cleans the bathroom with a brush and harsh chemicals, screaming at Christina to keep it clean at all times. In another scene, Joan beats Christina with a wire hanger when she catches her wearing a dress that Joan does not approve of.
As Joan's professional career begins to decline, she becomes more obsessed with maintaining her image and status. She is fired from MGM studios, and her relationship with her children deteriorates further. Christina leaves home and takes her first acting role, only to find her mother's presence still overshadowing her.
The film premiered to mixed reviews but gained a cult following for its portrayal of Crawford's abusive behavior. Dunaway's performance as Joan Crawford was both praised and criticized for its over-the-top portrayal. Despite its initial reception, Mommie Dearest has become a cultural reference and is widely regarded as a classic cult film.