Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother

Tariq’s thriller set in Houston dives into the life of a devout assassin and grieving father who has to face family, faith, and violence after losing his wife.

“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” written and directed by Bassam Tariq and starring Mahershala Ali as Latif, really got me thinking about love and where I fit in. On the surface, it’s an action drama about a Muslim hitman going through tough times, but it digs deeper. Just how deep? Let’s dive in.

Latif has crafted a life with neat little boxes: he’s a devout Muslim, follows his own moral code, and is a top-notch hitman. But when his wife suddenly passes away, everything falls apart. He’s left to care for their kids, including a baby daughter, and he’s on a desperate hunt for breast milk while the criminal world he thought he had under control starts closing in.

The core of the movie is Latif’s growing, complicated, and believable bond with his kids: his cautious teenage daughter, Fatiha (Adia); his insightful young son, Qadir (Jahleel Kamara); and his baby daughter, whose needs drive the main crisis. Grappling with his wife Khadija’s (Shakirah DeMesier) death, Latif has to step up as the present, capable dad he wasn’t always able to be, all while juggling a secret, violent life. Tariq nails the balance in these family moments: grief, frustration, humor, exhaustion, and deep love all coexist without being overdone. Ali, Adia, and Kamara make each interaction feel real, whether they’re bickering, testing each other’s patience, dealing with awkward silences, or reaching for connection. Every moment Latif shares with his family feels genuine, and that emotional truth, more than just the action, is what makes the film so impactful.

Latif may be a hitman with a moral code, killing for cash but with standards: no guns, and only if the target deserves it. He’s also a devout Muslim and a regular at the mosque, hinting early on that this isn’t your typical action flick. Though usually smooth, Latif messes up a job for his handler, Mike (Laith Nakli), and gets dragged into a messy feud involving Mike; Mike’s sketchy nephew, Haddy (Abubakr Ali); and Pastor Hwan Yoon (John Cho), the far-right leader of a militant Christian group in Texas. This conflict throws Latif’s personal grief and fatherly duties into a bigger story about faith, violence, belonging, and extremism.

The title isn’t just catchy repetition. It’s from a hadith where the Prophet Muhammad is asked who deserves a person’s best treatment; the answer is “your mother” three times before “your father.” This religious reference is central to the film’s emotional core. Tariq uses it to tell a story about missing mothers, fatherhood, loss, duty, and the sacredness of caregiving.

Instead of just using Islam as a backdrop or making Latif’s faith an easy contradiction to his violent job, the film weaves his beliefs into the dramatic tension. His work, mourning, family duties, and spiritual accountability all clash.

Tariq and Ali’s reunion is notable because they were both involved in Marvel’s delayed “Blade” reboot. Tariq left that project in 2022, but their creative bond stayed strong; “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” gave them a chance to work on something original. Some early reviews have called the film a more personal outlet for the kind of action that might have been in “Blade.”

Tariq’s earlier film, “Mogul Mowgli” (2020), also explored Muslim identity, illness, art, family expectations, and spiritual inheritance. This new film broadens that scope, mixing intimate family stakes with stylized action.

Early reviews from TIFF have been really positive, especially about Ali’s performance, which might earn him an Oscar nod. Critics have called the movie surprisingly soulful for a hitman thriller: it’s got sharp action and dark humor, but it’s also driven by grief, fatherhood, spiritual struggle, and the practical challenges of raising kids alone.

The dark humor hits the mark, but so does the film’s smart take on love and the power of prayer beyond just a religious angle. Weeks later, it’s still got me pondering important questions.

Tariq keeps every moment engaging, crafting a film that’s as stunning in quiet moments as it is during action-packed sequences. His humor is spot-on, especially in a lighter scene with young Mormon missionaries who help Latif when he needs it.

“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” isn’t your typical assassin flick; it’s way better. The religious protagonist and the villain’s religious viewpoint make for a powerful mix. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? The film is a deeply personal drama about grief and parenthood that bursts into action, marking Tariq’s distinct and important second feature.