In a miraculous turn, Bassem Tariq and Mahershala Ali rise from the ashes of their dropped Marvel’s Blade movie to present an ultra-sleek, deeply engrossing, violent meditation on faith, family, and death in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. Latif (Ali) is a contract killer and father of three who struggles against internal and external forces following the death of his wife. In a desperate search for breastmilk to feed his youngest child, he is forced to delve back into Houston’s criminal underworld, which is woven into the colourful fabric of religious fanaticism found in the Deep South.
Taking its title from an Islamic hadith that emphasizes the incomparable role of the mother within the family, the film explores the tenuous family bonds between Latif and his children, particularly his teenage daughter, played by breakout performer Adia. As he attempts to provide, protect, and parent his young ones, Latif also wrestles with his shaken faith. The contradictions between Latif’s devout beliefs, his violent actions, and his impossible desire to shield his family from the truth allow Ali to deliver another monumental performance.
With a supporting cast that includes Giancarlo Esposito as Latif’s strict imam, John Cho as a gun-toting, grill-wearing cowboy cult leader, and Abubakr Ali as a brash Muslim porn director, Tariq depicts a bizarre and distinctive world of twisted faith in Texas unlike anything shown before onscreen. Immensely stylish and graceful despite the hard-hitting violence, Your Mother is clearly crafted with great care. Every shot is a gleaming gem, whether characters are shrouded in darkness, swathed in neon, or shining in brilliant white. The cinematography is masterfully done, as are the thrilling action scenes performed with a mix of hand-to-hand combat, swords, and guns.
With its core father-daughter relationship, deeply American setting, and directorial prowess on display, Your Mother could very well be this year’s One Battle After Another, very much worthy of award show consideration and endless critical analysis.
