Mahershala Ali has built a career on emotionally rich, character-driven roles—from the tender mentor in Moonlight to the brilliant pianist in Green Book. But until now, the Oscar winner has never headlined a full-throttle action movie. That changes this week with Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, a gritty thriller that finally lets Ali flex his physical chops while still digging into the soul of a man in crisis.
The film, which hits theaters on September 25, centers on Latif (Ali), a devout hitman who operates by a strict moral code: no guns, and only kill those the world is better off without. But when his wife dies, he vows to leave the killing behind to raise his kids. Easier said than done—his employer is caught in a brewing feud, and Latif finds himself juggling diaper runs, faith, and a bloody past that won't stay buried. The result is a desperate, explosive journey across Houston, where every step pulls him deeper into the violence he's trying to escape.
Our exclusive new image captures that tension perfectly. Latif stands outside a convenience store, baby strapped to his chest, phone pressed to his ear. Without context, you'd mistake him for any exhausted dad running errands—not a man who's killed for a living. It's a snapshot of the character's core conflict: the pull between a peaceful life with his children and the dangerous profession that threatens to destroy everything he loves. As the sole parent, the stakes are immense, and the weight of his choices is amplified by his spiritual struggles.
Director Bassam Tariq, who was once attached to Ali's Blade project before it fell apart, brings a fresh vision to this original story. His previous feature, Mogul Mowgli, earned BAFTA recognition, and his work on the series Bait has kept him in the spotlight. Critics have embraced his return to the big screen—Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother currently holds a stellar 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes after its Toronto International Film Festival debut. Collider's Tania Hussain praised it in a 9/10 review, noting it goes beyond the assassin-on-the-run premise to become something far more tender than expected.
Ali is backed by a strong ensemble including John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, Abubakr Ali, Tramell Tillman, Tiffany Boone, and Laith Nakli. But the real star turn is Ali's commitment to the physical side of the role. In an interview at TIFF, Tariq revealed that Ali performed all his own stunts—a challenge the actor embraced, even as a former athlete. “That was unfamiliar to me,” Ali said. “I've always wanted to do that, but I never had the opportunity. I'm very proud of what everyone achieved.”
For fans of flawless thrillers, this one is shaping up to be a must-see. And if you're craving more high-octane action, check out Henry Cavill's WWII thriller that's been dominating Netflix. But for now, all eyes are on Ali's long-awaited action debut—a film that proves even a killer can have a soft spot.
