The Hadith and the Unfinished ‘Blade’ Reboot Behind Mahershala Ali’s ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’

‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother‘ may sound like it draws inspiration from a novel, memoir, or cult comic, but it is an original action drama crafted by writer and director Bassam Tariq, featuring Mahershala Ali in the lead role.

The film’s peculiar title and hitman storyline originate from two distinct sources: an Islamic teaching about motherhood and a Marvel project that never materialized. Here’s what we know about the origins of ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’ as it prepares to hit theaters.

The title is derived from a well-known hadith in which a man inquires of the Prophet Muhammad about who deserves his good companionship the most. The Prophet emphasizes the mother three times before mentioning the father.

This reference is not obscured in the film; voiceover narration recites the hadith at the beginning, delivered by Adia, who portrays Fatiha, the daughter of protagonist Latif. Tariq uses this narration to engage viewers right from the start of the action drama.

This choice effectively establishes the emotional foundation of the story before any action unfolds. According to Tariq, the reference places motherhood at the heart of a narrative deeply rooted in African American Muslim culture. Deadline describes the title as inspired by an Islamic saying that emphasizes the care and love owed to mothers.

The second aspect of the film’s origin story is purely Hollywood. In 2021, Tariq was brought on board to direct a reboot of ‘Blade’, with Ali set to star as the half-blood vampire hunter. However, he departed the project a year later due to significant production delays, and that reboot has yet to materialize.

Ali has candidly discussed what transpired next. In a GQ interview, he revealed that the new film exists because ‘Blade’ fell through, and after a year of training for the vampire role, Tariq approached him, allowing him to apply those skills in this project.

Clearly, that training was not wasted. Ali recently expressed gratitude to Marvel for financially supporting his year-long sword training, which he showcases in the new film. Critics have taken note, with RogerEbert.com describing the film as a blend of religious commentary, samurai action, and family drama. Rotten Tomatoes even framed its initial reviews roundup around the notion that this is the ‘Blade’ movie audiences should have received.

In ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’, Ali portrays Latif, a devout hitman who grapples with balancing his work, faith, and fatherhood. A former Marine, he only accepts jobs he considers morally acceptable.

Following the death of his wife, he embarks on a desperate quest across Houston to safeguard his children. While searching for breast milk for his infant daughter alongside his teenage daughter and young son, Latif becomes embroiled in a hit job that pits him against influential faith leader Hwan Yoon, played by John Cho.

The supporting cast adds significant depth to the narrative. Cho portrays an Army veteran turned evangelical pastor, while Giancarlo Esposito and Tramell Tillman take on key supporting roles. Esposito plays Latif’s Imam, one of the few aware of his violent profession and unafraid to confront him about its moral implications.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Tariq was honored with the Rising Talent Award at the TIFF Tribute Awards. Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with Rotten Tomatoes showing a 100% approval rating based on 27 reviews, while Metacritic assigned a score of 84 based on 17 critics.

Not every critic is entirely convinced, adding to the discussion’s richness. RogerEbert.com suggests that the ending may polarize audiences due to its refusal to provide a straightforward, action-driven conclusion. Meanwhile, The A.V. Club argues that the film feels like a consolation prize stemming from the failed ‘Blade’ project.

Amazon MGM Studios and Orion Pictures are set to release the film in theaters starting September 25 in New York and Los Angeles, with a broader rollout planned for October 9. If this film truly offers a better narrative than the vampire hunter Marvel never delivered, would you have chosen Ali’s Latif over his ‘Blade’ if you could only select one?