The Mother Review: The New Jennifer Lopez Movie Struggles to Escape Cliches

In her new movie, “The Mother,” Jennifer Lopez plays an ex-war hero who comes out of hiding to protect her daughter.

Unfortunately, the movie may leave viewers wondering whether it was written by ChatGPT. The film's plot feels derivative, and it relies heavily on tired movie tropes that have been used countless times before. Despite Lopez's efforts to stretch her range, the overall movie falls short of expectations.

The plot is derivative.

The most glaring issue you’ll notice in "The Mother" is its unoriginal plot and theme. That’s not a problem in itself because Hollywood isn’t known for its originality and will stick to a concept that works. Nevertheless, it seems as if every cliché in the book was utilized in the story.

We have the tortured and brooding protagonist, equipped with a particular set of skills, who embarks on a mission to protect her child. While this premise has potential and usually works with a unique spin, the movie's execution of it makes the overall story feel recycled and falls short.

An infuriating trope that plagues the film is the egocentric villain who chooses to monologue instead of swiftly eliminating the protagonist. In a scene where the first major villain got the drop on Lopez’s character—with his gun trained on her—instead of pulling the trigger, he decides instead to prattle on about allowing Lopez’s character to gain the upper hand.

Astonishingly, this cliché occurs not just once but twice in the movie. It's a tired convention that adds nothing to the narrative and only serves to undermine the tension and realism of the story.

We’ve seen this sunset before

In the vast landscape of film-making, settings play a crucial role in shaping the identity and atmosphere of many movies. While a lot of movies use the same settings, they have something that sets them apart from one another. After all, a lot of people live in the same place but have unique lives and experiences, and movies are the instrument that captures that essence. Unfortunately, this is where "The Mother" also falls short.

The movie’s setting feels unoriginal and fails to provide a distinct identity

Most of "The Mother" takes place in a snow covered landscape, a setting that initially creates interest and expectation. However, as the movie progresses, it’s clear that this choice lacks originality. The cold, bleak, and isolated snow-covered wilderness backdrop has been extensively used in many movies.

"Polar," for example, also uses this kind of backdrop. Yet it harnessed the despair and bleakness of its setting to tell a compelling story. In Polar, seasoned hitman Duncan finds himself in Montana, where he struggles to find atonement for his past actions.

In a pivotal moment in Polar, Duncan finds himself naked in a blizzard. As the winds howl and snow blankets the landscape, Duncan navigates through the unforgiving terrain while outsmarting the hitmen who were sent to kill him.

The vast emptiness surrounding him mirrors the emptiness within him. The scene captures the desolation, showcasing the endless expanse of white, broken only by the trees.

The Mother, on the other hand, fails to harness the potential of its setting to create a captivating and immersive experience. Instead, it feels mundane with Lopez’s character going through the motion of hunting deer and living of the land.

Lopez managed to stretch her range

While Jennifer Lopez isn’t praised for her acting skills, her performance in "The Mother" isn’t that lackluster. She manages to stretch her range, portraying a semi-believable mother and a ruthless killer willing to go to any lengths to protect her child; nonetheless, it is not enough to salvage the film from being derivative.

With a plot that feels like a mishmash of tired movie tropes, the movie falls short of expectations.

Despite Jennifer Lopez's attempts to bring depth to her character, the film fails to deliver a truly compelling and original story. For those seeking a movie with an original plot and unique characters, this may not be the best choice.

There are several similar movies that you might find interesting with a stronger premise and a well-executed plotline. Movies such as "Peppermint" (2018), starring Jennifer Garner, also feature a determined female protagonist seeking justice for her family. "The Call" (2013), featuring Halle Berry as a 911 operator who must confront a killer to save a kidnapped girl.

If you're in the mood for a gritty revenge story, "Taken" (2008), starring Liam Neeson, is a good choice. All of these movies have suspense and a strong, believable protagonist fighting against the odds to protect their loved ones.

However, if you're a die-hard fan of Lopez or simply looking for something to help occupy your weekend, "The Mother" is now streaming on Netflix.