They soon discover their guardian isn’t finished with them(Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

Andy Muschietti, the director of It, has a lesser-known horror gem that’s just landed on Netflix.

First hitting screens in 2013, it boasts a standout performance from Jessica Chastain, who later took on the role of Beverly Marsh in the popular Stephen King adaptation.

The film, titled Mama, also stars Game of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Yellowjackets’ Isabelle Nélisse. It tells the chilling tale of two young girls who lose their parents in a tragic incident and are subsequently raised by a malevolent entity in a dark forest.

After being rescued by their father’s twin brother, they attempt to adjust to normal life, only to find that the ominous ‘Mama’ isn’t quite finished with them yet.

Despite being Muschietti’s directorial debut, Mama didn’t exactly wow critics, earning a modest 63 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it has cultivated a dedicated fanbase who believe it deserves another look, reports the Express.

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Netflix adds horror film that left fans ‘shaken to the core’(Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

One glowing Letterboxd review proclaimed: “I could happily sit through twenty turkeys to find one diamond like this. A masterclass in modern horror.”

Another viewer enthused: “I have seen many, many horror films in my lifetime. But I have rarely (if ever) seen one that has touched me so deeply, rewarded me so profoundly, and at the same time managed to scare the everliving s*** out of me so many times in one night.

“Mama has left me shaken to my very core, in so many good ways.”

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Two orphan girls return to reality after being raised by a sinister entity(Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

They added: “Mama is possibly the scariest film I have ever seen, but also one of the most touching, well filmed and memorable stories in a very long time.

“More ghost story than fairytale, it’s one that is sure to haunt me for all time, and I will think twice before I turn out the lights tonight..”

The accolades kept coming on IMDb, where one fan confessed “I wish there were more movies like Mama.

“This has become one of my favorite horror movies over the years, one I keep turning to as a prime example of what the horror genre should be,” they said.

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Fans are saying it’s the scariest film they’ve ever seen(Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

Meanwhile, another bewildered enthusiast questioned: “Why is this movie so underrated??

“Mama wasn’t terrible like everyone says. It was so good! The ending was super emotional and wtf-ish.”

If you’re already hooked on the recent It films, be sure to discover where it all started for horror genius Muschietti now that Mama is ready to stream.

Mama is available to watch now on Netflix.