“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” directed by Bassam Tariq and starring Mahershala Ali, held its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday night ahead of a theatrical release on Sept. 25. The film follows Latif, a devout Muslim hitman who flees with his teenage daughter, young son, and newborn after his wife’s death, while navigating conflicts with his employer and a gun-wielding Christian cult leader portrayed by John Cho.
Tariq was originally hired by Marvel Studios in 2021 to direct the “Blade” superhero film with Ali in the lead role, but departed the project in 2022 citing production delays while remaining as an executive producer. The Marvel venture subsequently entered development hell, and by July 2026, Ali announced the project was no longer moving forward. The sword-fighting training Ali had undertaken for the superhero film found application in his current role, as the movie explores themes of religion, family, and personal bonds.
Following the premiere, cast and crew participated in a question-and-answer session at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Ali described the filmmaking experience as emotionally intense, praising director Tariq’s vision while noting the significance of working alongside child actors. He highlighted the contributions of stunt coordinator Adam Hart in choreographing the action sequences within a compressed timeline. Ali referenced his preparation process, which included over a year of martial arts training that was interrupted by a period of inactivity before resuming with additional training in Los Angeles, with principal photography beginning after the conclusion of Ramadan.
Adia, who plays Ali’s rebellious daughter navigating her faith during adolescence, received recognition for her breakout performance. She credited Ali with providing generous scene work and off-camera support that enabled her to access emotional depth in her portrayal.
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