Follows Latif, a devoutly religious hitman, who embarks on a desperate journey across Houston to protect his children after his wife dies, confronting forces closing in and beliefs threatening to unravel.
The failure of Marvel’s “Blade” remake has given us two unforgettable works of art: Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” last year and now, Bassam Tariq’s “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.” A meditative, multicultural masterpiece, YMYMYM reflects one family’s devotion to Islam, to each other, and to their conflicts with hostile forces of other faiths.
Mahershala Ali is a revelation, as always. Ali plays Latif, a hitman struggling with the recent abrupt loss of his wife shortly after giving birth to their third child. The two-time Oscar winner shows off the fighting skills he no doubt honed as Blade, applying them to real-world situations that feel heavy and naturalistic, not overly choreographed or superheroic. His struggle is deeply human as someone thrown into the role of both mother and father for three children, the elder two of whom are developing their own relationships with Islam.
While Latif grapples with being both an assassin and a parent, his eldest daughter, Fatiha (played by Adia), must step up as a maternal figure for her newborn sibling while enduring the perils of being a teenager. Her ordeal mirrors her father’s, and the two play off each other brilliantly.
John Cho plays Kwan, a corrupt pastor and kingpin of a Christian church whose near-death experience as a veteran exemplifies his faith. This is a very anti-type role for Cho—a villain who snarls at Latif through a bejeweled grin.
The film’s climax resonated so beautifully I gasped. One doesn’t have to be a devout follower of any religion to recognize how meaningful this moment is and how masterfully it’s executed. Cho does a wonderful job of showing a violent man who has just witnessed a miracle. The respect Latif and Kwan have for one another’s faith is a central tenet of the film.
The pacing does slow to a halt at times, sacrificing forward momentum for a reflective tone. This can get repetitive but doesn’t detract from what is otherwise a truly beautiful and unique thriller.
In Select Theaters Friday, September 25th, and Nationwide Friday, October 9th
