Mommy

After she loses her husband, a single mother named Diane struggles to hold together a life that keeps slipping through her fingers. Her teenage son Steve is large, impulsive, and sometimes terrifying in his unpredictability. Into their cluttered world comes Kyla, a quiet neighbor who sees past the danger to offer steady presence and a lifeline of practical support. The film follows the fragile balance of care and autonomy as Kyla moves from friend to caretaker and Diane fights to keep her family afloat without surrendering her dignity. Dolan keeps the camera close, letting pain and stubborn hope coexist in tight, intimate scenes. His patient eye lets the emotions surface without melodrama.

Directed by Xavier Dolan, Mommy is drawn from an original screenplay rather than an adaptation. It premiered in 2014 and showcases Dolan's bold, emotionally raw style that has become a hallmark of his work on international screens where critics often highlight its intimate intensity.

At the 2014 Cannes Film Festival the film earned the Jury Prize, signaling strong critical regard for Dolan's fearless storytelling and the performances of Anne Dorval and Antoine Olivier Pilon. The recognition helped position Mommy as a bold contemporary drama that sparked broader conversations about family resilience.

Mommy sparked conversations about motherhood under pressure, class dynamics and violence within family life. Its provocative premise and intense performances left a lasting imprint on Canadian cinema and international independent drama, with scenes that linger in audiences' minds long after the credits roll in film schools and festival circuits.

Critics praised the film for its unflinching portrayal of love and limits, exploring how care and community can collide with danger. The film's restrained, intimate direction contrasts with the explosive emotional stakes, inviting viewers to question what family means when circumstances spiral. The performances and vulnerabilities resonate beyond the era.