Is Mother Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Mother is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 129 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Mother Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2009, Mother emerges as a significant entry in the Crime, Drama, Mystery domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A mother lives quietly with her son. Unlike standard genre fare, Mother attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Mother features a noteworthy lineup led by Kim Hye-ja . Supported by the likes of Won Bin and Jin Goo , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Mother (2009) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.7/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Mother Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Mother is a Crime, Drama, Mystery film that delves into the criminal underworld with gritty realism and moral complexity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A mother lives quietly with her son. One day, a girl is brutally killed, and the boy is charged with the murder. Now, it's his mother's mission to prove him innocent. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The protagonist undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Mother Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Mother resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of Mother demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Mother Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Mother incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, mystery film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Mother successfully translates real events into compelling cinema. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Mother?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Crime cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre filmmaking
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Mother Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $5.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $17.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Mother Budget
The estimated production budget for Mother is $5.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Mother
- Kim Hye-ja – Mother
- Won Bin – Yoon Do-joon
- Jin Goo – Jin-tae
- Yoon Je-moon – Je-moon
- Jeon Mi-seon – Mi-seon
Top Highlights
Kim Hye-jaMother
Won BinYoon Do-joon
Jin GooJin-tae
Yoon Je-moonJe-moon
Jeon Mi-seonMi-seon
Song Sae-byukSepak Takraw Detective
Lee Young-sukElder at Junk Shop
Moon Hee-raMoon Ah-jeong
Chun Woo-heeMi-na
Kim Byeong-soonPolice Group Leader
Where to Watch Mother Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Philo
Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
Monsters and Nightmares Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
FlixFling🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeFlixFlingParents Guide & Age Rating
Mother is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.7/10, and global collection metrics, Mother stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2009 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mother movie hit or flop?
Mother is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.7/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Crime, Drama, Mystery movies.
Is Mother worth watching?
Yes, Mother is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Crime, Drama, Mystery cinema.
Where can I watch Mother online?
Mother is currently available for streaming on Philo. You can also check for it on platforms like Philo, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Monsters and Nightmares Amazon Channel depending on your region.
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How Mother Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Mother
This is a corking film from Bong Joon Ho with an equally super performance from Hye-ja Kim as the "Mother". Her son "Soon Do-joon" (Won Bin) is accused of murdering a young girl. The police seem convinced of his guilt and her lawyer suggests he be detained in an hospital - rather than a prison - so she sets out, determinedly, to establish his innocence. As she takes to her task, she soon becomes obsessed, her own mental stability begins to wobble and we are drawn into a dark, almost sombre, crime thriller. It has plenty of twists and turns, and by the end (which comes pretty much from the left field) I almost felt exhausted. This is as engrossing a film as I've seen in many years, with an excellent (almost Andalusian in style) accompanying score - well worth watching. (Maybe less so if you are not so keen on acupuncture needles!)
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
