Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother - TIFF [2026]

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother [2026]

Film

I didn't need any more evidence that Kevin Feige has completely lost the plot, leading Marvel projects post-Endgame. But then the news comes out that the ever-struggling Blade movie with Mahershala Ali in the lead role, a project that is more than likely a giant cash cow, was canceled. On its own, yeah, it's a huge bummer. Especially when you consider another post-credit scene (Eternals) that tried to bring in Ali's Blade is now just a hilarious afterthought of what could've been. However, looking at Bassam Tariq's Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, which features Ali as a hitman trying to get out of the "business" after his wife passes to take care of his children, I can't help but see what Blade could've been. Oh, and how much of a moron Feige is.

I don't want to boil down Tariq's extraordinary film to a Marvel proof-of-concept, because it's so much more than that. So just as a final thought on the whole Blade piece, Ali's physicality, cool-as-a-cucumber demeanor, and the choreography all* scream* for more action for Ali. He glides across the screen with a power that's hard to comprehend, something the two-time Academy Award winner is very good at, and there's just a nagging part of my brain that wishes there was another Ali-led action/adventure to look forward to.

But enough whining about Marvel, it's not fair to Tariq because Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is a singular film that is undeniably powerful. Beyond Ali's physical performance as Latif lies a sensationally softer side that buoys the film's more touching themes. Latif is not only a devout Muslim, but an Ustadh within his Mosque community. Meaning he teaches the younger generations about the Quran, making him somewhat of a hypocrite as he goes out and kills for money. Yet it's hard to reduce the duality of Latif to pure hypocrisy as the film progresses and the complications from Latif's wife's passing and the feeding of their newborn baby compound. His attempts to move forward with his life are challenged when his former "boss," Mike (Laith Nakli), pushes Latif to protect his nephew Hatty (Abubakr Ali) by killing the extremist Christian Pastor Hwan (John Cho), which crafts an intriguing theological discussion between the two religions. Where do love and forgiveness fit into such violent lifestyles? How do Latif's teachings, especially with Hatty as a former student who is now a pornographic content creator, fit into both of their lives? Tariq's writing never directly challenges us with these questions, leaving a lot of the answers and interpretations up to us in how we perceive Latif's actions. Not to mention, Cho's acting as Pastor Hwan is by far the best work he's done in his career, and he presents an exceptionally slimy villain that has some of his own incredibly nuanced details.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother [2026]

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother does well beyond its top billing in terms of performances. Yes, Cho and Ali are scene-stealers, but Latif's children Fatiha (Adia) and Qadir (Jahleel Kamara) are extremely believable and hold some of the comedic relief in the film. However, it's important to note that the absolutely spectacular finale of the film hinges on these two young actors selling the moment, and it is done to perfection. It creates one of the more breathtaking endings I've seen. Rounding out Latif's scene-stealing family is his brother Talib, played by Tramell Tillman, who even in a minor role somehow finds ways to make the absolute most of a moment.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention how gorgeous of a film this is writing wise, with Tariq's script playing to Ali's strengths and possessing a wonderfully strong theme that never veers off course. In addition to how gorgeous the film is technically as well. Katelin Arizmendi's cinematography wonderfully captures the quieter moments of the film while highlighting the kinetic action in gritty detail. All the while maintaining an aesthetic that ties the film's religious and familial motifs together neatly. The same goes for Son Lux's score. Once nominated for Best Original Score for their work in Everything Everywhere All At Once, the group is back with another sonically intriguing and diverse composition. It sits somewhere in a mixture of experimental, electronic, and Islamic vocals, where a choir delivers sensational singing that's based on devotional chants. But it's the mirroring of Latif's fluctuations of violent power and benevolent parenthood that allows the score to really sink in deep and propel the emotions of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother forward.

Even if we don't get to see Ali suit up as Blade ever, I'm beyond grateful that we at least get to see him here. He's nothing short of terrific, and I would absolutely welcome a future partnership with Tariq again.

Froth

I'm going to lean into Latif's work as an Ustadh because his knowledge and interpretation of the Quran inspires a lot of the emotional and theological juxtapositions within the film. The most obvious point being in how he reconciles his multiple identities as a hitman, father, and devout Muslim, but there's more in Tariq's phenomenal writing to really chew on. Anyways, the Old Schoolhouse Brewery evokes name comparisons here due to, yes the name, but also the fact that the brewery itself is located in an old schoolhouse in Winthrop Washington. You know one of those old timey schoolhouses that looks like the Fisher Price toy us 90's kids had growing up? It's adorable. Their South Campus IPA, named after their location in Twisp where its brewed, is a tremendous companion here, of course because of the name, but also because its a damn fine beer. A Hazy IPA with a solid 6.8% ABV, with juicy citrus and bright orange flavors to carry you forward, the South Campus IPA packs a bit of a punch but is overall easy to drink. There's a hop forward finish that feels a touch dry and resinous, maybe even a hair dank on the nose, but its nothing over the top and works really well with the sweeter fruit flavors and pinch of booziness. Overall, I find this to be one of the better Hazy IPA's I've had in recent days, and just like Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, a deligthful surprise I can't wait to enjoy again.