what is the beldam in coraline

The Beldam, also known as the Other Mother, is the main antagonist of Neil Gaimans 2002 dark fantasy young adult novel Coraline, which was adapted into the 2009 stop-motion film Coraline. The Beldam is a witch or hag, and the word "beldam" means witch or sinister old woman, which fits several common fairy tale tropes. In the story, the Beldam takes the form of the "Other Mother," a kinder, happier, more openly affectionate version of Coraline's own overworked mom. Coraline stumbles upon the creature's realm through a door in the living room of the family's new home, an apartment house they share with several other odd inhabitants. Her "Other World" is a more colorful and entertaining version of the real world, where the adults cater to her every whim and constantly tell her how much they love her. However, the Other World is an illusion and the magical life being offered is a trap. The Beldam is a shapeshifter whose true form is a giant spider, and she is known to lure and then feast upon her victims, most of whom are children. Coraline must outsmart the Beldam to save herself and her parents.