LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12 -- Horror flick Other Mommy starring Oscar winner Jessica Chastain debuted atop the North American box office with US$27.5 million (RM116.3 million) in ticket sales, while awards hopeful The Social Reckoning flopped with a weak start, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Other Mommy, from Universal and Blumhouse, stars Chastain in a dual role as a sinister entity terrorising a child - made even worse by the fact that the demon resembles the girl's mother.

The film triumphed despite poor reviews and audience reception, according to analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

"Horror movies are generally immune to a negative reception, but this is extreme and business is going to drop sharply," said Gros...