Originating after the creative’s teams abandoned work on Marvel’s stalled Blade reboot, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother brings two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali and writer/director Bassam Tariq back together for this American action thriller.

The title of the film comes from a hadith, a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which highlights the respect, admiration and love that mothers receive in Islam. This significance is explored throughout the story, which follows Ali’s character, Latif, as he struggles to support his children after tragedy strikes his family while balancing his double life as a hitman. Exploring themes of loss, grief and fatherhood, the drama also examines the complexities of differing ideologies and faiths.

Islam places particular emphasis on mothers due to the sacrifices and hardships they face during pregnancy and child-rearing. Latif goes through his own trials and tribulations in the film as he tries his best for his family whilst trying to protect them. The film also explores the social services, or lack thereof, within the US and the difficulty and hurdles required to access basic and necessary care for an infant. Something that British audiences may take for granted given the support we have via the NHS.

The story cannot be discussed without referring to religion and ideology, as we see different schools of thought amongst the Muslims featured within the film, much like the differences seen between various sects of Islam in real life. One thing the film does well is that it nails the sense of community that Muslims try to create, and we see the support systems that Ali has, which creates some tender moments in the film. We see Ali’s acting chops on full display as we see his struggles with his religion and his relationship with God being strained after experiencing sudden loss. Ali truly shines as we see his lifestyle choices and doubts challenging his commitment to his faith. This juxtaposes against John Cho’s somewhat outlandish character, who plays a fanatical leader who founded his own cult of zealots who are set to enact their own sense of justice.

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Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Texas, the film is visually stunning, with its colour grading, cinematography and camerawork all deserving of a shoutout. This is complemented by a soundtrack, composed by Son Lux, that is as beautiful as it is haunting, adding another layer of atmosphere to the film.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’s biggest strength is by far the superb acting from our lead, Ali, who is supported by an incredible performance from Adia, who plays Fatiha, Latif’s oldest child. She delivers a powerful performance and is able to go toe to toe with Ali’s onscreen depiction. Both are supported by solid performances from Tramel Tillman and Giancarlo Esposito, who finally doesn’t play a villain for a change, which is a welcome change. Some welcome comedic relief is also added by Ali’s son, played wonderfully by Jahleel Kamara.

Whilst the ending felt a little fantastical for what is otherwise a very grounded movie, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is a masterful film, with well-handled commentary on religion, loss, struggle and fatherhood.

We were truly robbed of what Ali could have done with the Marvel anti-hero Blade, but he proves his worth here. Whilst the film has action elements and flashes of solid fight choreography, it truly shines in its quieter moments.

*PBUH stands for Peace be upon him, which is an honorific for the Prophet.

★★★★

In cinemas from 20th November / Mahershala Ali, John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, Abubakr Ali, Laith Nakli, Adia, Jahleel Kamara, Tiffany Boone, Tramell Tillman / Dir: Bassam Tariq / Orion Pictures / 15