Photo credit: Amazon Studios
Mahershala Ali is trading the usual action-hero formula for a much more personal fight in the new film “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.”
The Oscar-winning actor stars as Latif, a devoutly religious hitman whose life changes after his wife dies. Suddenly, he must protect his children while confronting the violent world he once knew.
The film opens in select New York and Los Angeles theaters on Sept. 25 before expanding to additional cities in October.
Mahershala Ali plays a hitman facing fatherhood
In “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” Ali plays Latif, a contract killer struggling to balance his work, faith and responsibilities as a father.
After his wife dies, Latif begins a desperate journey across Houston to protect his children. However, the people and forces surrounding him make that mission increasingly dangerous.
The film also explores Latif’s internal struggle. He must confront his violent past while questioning the beliefs that have guided his life.
That combination gives the movie a different angle on the action genre. Instead of focusing only on revenge or survival, the story places fatherhood and faith at the center of Latif’s journey.
A new featurette reveals Ali’s intense role
The latest official featurette offers an inside look at the movie with commentary from Ali, John Cho and writer-director Bassam Tariq. The featurette was released ahead of the film’s theatrical debut.
Tariq wrote and directed the film, bringing together action, family drama and questions about faith.
Ali’s performance also marks a move into more action-driven territory for the two-time Oscar winner. In a recent PEOPLE interview, Ali described the project as the beginning of his “action era” and discussed the physical preparation required for the role.
John Cho and Giancarlo Esposito join the cast
Ali leads an ensemble that includes John Cho, Abubakr Ali, Laith Nakli, Tramell Tillman, Tiffany Boone and Giancarlo Esposito.
Adia and Jahleel Kamara also appear in the film.
Cho plays Pastor Hwan, while Esposito portrays Abdul Malik. The cast helps expand the story beyond Latif’s immediate family as his journey brings him into conflict with powerful figures and competing beliefs.
The film mixes action with faith and family
“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” is not presented as a straightforward action movie.
The story follows Latif as he tries to care for his children while facing the consequences of his violent profession. His personal crisis becomes inseparable from his questions about faith, family and morality.
Recent reviews from the Toronto International Film Festival have highlighted the movie’s combination of action and spiritual themes. The Guardian described the film as a thriller that explores grief, faith and moral conflict through Latif’s story.
The film premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival before heading into its U.S. theatrical release.
When to see “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother”
“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” arrives in select U.S. theaters on Sept. 25, with the release expanding to additional cities in October.
The film is written and directed by Bassam Tariq and produced by Lucan Toh, Babak Anvari and Tariq. Brian O’Neill serves as executive producer.
The movie is rated R for violence, bloody images, language and some sexual content. It runs approximately 1 hour and 51 minutes.
For Ali, the film offers a new kind of action role. For audiences, it puts a grieving father at the center of a story where protecting his children could force him to confront everything he believes about himself.
Source: Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios, PEOPLE, Toronto International Film Festival, The Guardian
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