“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” a new film written and directed by Bassam Tariq and starring Mahershala Ali, explores themes of family, faith, and fatherhood through the lens of a Muslim hit man navigating personal loss and devotion. Set against the diverse urban backdrop of Houston, the story centers on Latif, portrayed by Ali, who struggles to secure breast milk for his youngest daughter following the death of his wife while contending with the dangerous demands of his profession.

The film draws inspiration from an Islamic hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad emphasizes the paramount importance of the mother, stating that a person’s mother deserves the best of their care three times over before the father is mentioned. This message forms the thematic core of the narrative, highlighting the profound role of maternal love and paternal responsibility.

Tariq, who spent his teenage years in Houston, chose the city for its unique demographic mosaic and strong religious communities. “It’s one of the few cities where there is no one majority,” he explained, noting that communal spaces like mosques and churches often serve as social hubs in the absence of extensive public services. The film is set during Ramadan, adding subtle yet meaningful layers of religious observance without overt explanation, aiming to portray lived experience authentically.

The project grew out of a professional collaboration and friendship between Tariq and Ali, who first connected through a planned Marvel movie about the character Blade that was ultimately canceled. Their shared interest in stories about fatherhood and faith led them to develop this more intimate and personal narrative. Both men are fathers themselves and describe the film as an exploration of how children can nurture and restore their parents.

Ali, who brought physicality and emotional depth to the role, drew on his extensive background in sports and martial arts. Despite limited rehearsal time for the film’s action sequences, he and the team executed them effectively, balancing intense fight scenes with quieter, reflective moments.

The film’s respectful depiction of Muslim practices and rituals was shaped in part by the involvement of director of photography Kate Arizmendi, who, though not Muslim, engaged deeply with the community during production. Both Tariq and Ali credit her sensitivity and care for helping to portray prayer and religious customs with reverence and authenticity.

Ali also reflected on how the hadith influenced his personal relationship with his own mother, marking a profound transformation after his conversion to Islam. The story’s emphasis on maternal love and the challenges of fatherhood is intertwined with this real-life context.

Premiering in 2026, “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” offers a compelling portrait of faith, loss, and the intricate bonds that define family life within a contemporary American Muslim experience.