Mother
Mother

Movie spotlight

Mother

2009
Movie
129 min
Korean

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.

Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes98%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users92%
Director: Bong Joon-hoGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A widowed mother, devoted to her intellectually disabled teenage son, struggles to prove his innocence when he is accused of murdering a young woman. As she investigates the crime herself, she uncovers a complex web of deceit and violence that leads her down a dark path. Her relentless pursuit of the truth blurs the lines between maternal love and obsessive vengeance.

Critical Reception

Bong Joon-ho's 'Mother' was met with widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its intricate plotting, gripping suspense, and powerful performances, particularly from lead Kim Hye-ja. Critics praised its masterful blend of genres, shifting seamlessly from tender drama to unsettling thriller, and its exploration of complex themes of maternal devotion, guilt, and societal flaws.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterfully crafted thriller with profound emotional depth.

  • Kim Hye-ja delivers a career-defining performance as a fiercely protective mother.

  • Bong Joon-ho expertly balances suspense, drama, and dark humor.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly praised the film's captivating story, intense suspense, and the powerful portrayal of a mother's love. Many highlighted the unpredictable twists and turns, finding the film emotionally resonant and thought-provoking.

Awards & Accolades

Won numerous awards including Best Actress (Kim Hye-ja) at the Asian Film Awards and numerous accolades at Korean film festivals. Nominated for Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film's ambiguous ending was intentionally crafted by director Bong Joon-ho to reflect the protagonist's unresolved emotional state and the lingering complexities of the case.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

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 suggest...

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