Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother Review
To say that Hollywood hasn’t fully figured out how to utilize Mahershala Ali to his fullest is an understatement. Starring in celebrated films like Moonlight, Green Book, and Leave the World Behind did propel Ali, but everyone knows about the one film that would’ve solidified him. Of course, that film was Marvel’s Blade, which was set to be directed by Bassam Tariq, but things unfortunately fell through. It seems almost prophetic then that Ali and Tariq would go on to bring a hard-hitting family-action drama that has what many fans were looking for. With Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, Ali and Tariq deliver a cutting retrospective of religion, family, and society at large.
Although viewers might be going in because of the action, Tariq’s clear focus on the family aspect really works in the film’s favor. Ali plays Latif, a widowed husband who’s left taking care of his children, including teenage daughter Fatiha (Adia), younger son Qadir (Jahleel Kamara), and the young Aziza. He tries to keep them safe and relies on elder Abdul Malik (Giancarlo Esposito) for support, but his secret life comes back to haunt him. While he may seem like a devout family man, Latif works as a hitman, which he tries to leave behind.
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is very much a “what goes around, comes around” narrative given this basis. The opening scene where Latif carefully kills a man with his sword only to wash it off with a baby wipe perfectly captures this. Tariq understands how Latif’s circumstances are forced to intertwine: he must stay true to his children, but he’s the only one who can really provide. This thought comes into focus when Latif realizes that they’re running out of breastmilk, which can’t be substituted because of Aziza’s condition.
In order to get everything Latif needs to care for Aziza, he knows he has to resort to his other job. Ali gives Latif a rugged edge while letting those bits of empathy shine through the cracks, which is felt when Abdul reprimands Latif early on. Abdul’s warning about Latif not giving up his old ways is almost poetic when Latif is offered a “security” job by his old employer, Mike (Laith Nakli). The hesitancy Ali captures through Latif in these scenes really allows his internal struggle to resonate with viewers. Not only does it capture the conflict Latif has to overcome, but it gives him a way at redemption.
The inevitably of Latif’s two worlds colliding really feels more impactful than it lets on, but that’s because of how Tariq interwines them together. When it seems like there’s hope for Latif to finally get what he needs, the turn creates this intensity to drive Latif’s rage forward. The job that Latif is given by Mike is to hunt down Hwan (John Cho), a radical evangelical leader who’s targeting Mike’s nephew (Abubakr Ali). Although Mike’s nephew is way too into his sexual fantasies, he surprisingly shares some commonality about religion with Fatiha. A later scene that sees Latif and his kids dealing with the outcome of Latif’s actions nails this home, leading to a somewhat nice, if short, reprieve from all the bleakness.
Speaking more on Fatiha, Tariq takes a fascinating approach with a Gen Z-centric perspective on ideals and family. Unlike her father, Fatiha doesn’t fully believe Latif’s religious ideas, but she still does what she can to support everyone around her. It isn’t until she finds herself in one of Latif’s crossfires that the weight of her father’s “sins” are placed onto her. The scenes following that moment really resonate as she fears for Latif’s life, given the emotional struggle she’s had to go through with her mother’s passing. With Qadir being a brighter, more innocent, spot in her life, Fatiha’s arc in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother will truly stick with those that are navigating their own journey with religious upbringings.
Although Tariq creates this beautiful tapestry of characters in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, its themes can somewhat dilute its main themes. The aspect of understanding and finding commonality with different religions is laid out through brief interactions with Fatiha and the family’s Mormon neighbors. I would’ve loved to see more of these interactions to not only flesh out the world, but also fully capture how it changes Latif’s perspective. Furthermore, the action-packed climax that sees Latif confronting Hwan again tries to challenge how each character’s belief respectively empowers them. Although the imagery may feel a bit forced, given what happens to Latif here, it does help emphasize the film’s familial core.
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is a thoughtful and brutal exploration of family and moral responsibility. It is remarkable thanks to Bassam Tariq’s strong direction and the efforts of his incredible creative team. Plus, Mahershala Ali and Adia deliver moving performances to make their father-daughter bond feel special. Even though this film might not be for everyone, Tariq and Ali certainly deliver a drama worthy of its dissection.
Rating: ★★★★
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is now playing in select theaters with a wide release set for October 9.
_
Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic with a Bachelor’s of Science with minors in Digital Media & Journalism. When not running The Reel Roller, Chris writes reviews and breakdowns on all things film and TV for outlets including Nerdtropolis, Tell-Tale TV, Eulalie Magazine, and more. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.