Mother
Performance & Direction: Mother Review
Last updated: February 20, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Mother (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
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?
Story & Plot Summary: Mother
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2009, Mother is a Crime, Drama, Mystery film directed by Bong Joon Ho. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kim Hye-ja.
Story Breakdown
The title 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 title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Kim Hye-ja, 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.
Ending Explained: Mother
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Bong Joon Ho, 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 involving Kim Hye-ja, 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 directed by Bong Joon Ho, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Kim Hye-ja's character.
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 storytelling
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: Mother
| 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.
Top Cast: Mother
All Cast & Crew →
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 Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
FlixFling🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeFlixFlingMother Parents Guide & Age Rating
2009 AdvisoryWondering about Mother age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Mother is 129 minutes (2h 9m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.7/10, and global performance metrics, Mother is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mother worth watching?
Mother is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 7.7/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Mother parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Mother identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Mother?
The total duration of Mother is 129 minutes, which is approximately 2h 9m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Mother
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 review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
