Netflix Inc. has scored another hit with its latest action thriller, ‘The Mother’, starring Jennifer Lopez as a deadly assassin who comes out of hiding to protect her daughter from a dangerous arms dealer.
The movie, which premiered on May 6, has become the most-watched film on the streaming platform in its opening weekend, beating previous record holders such as ‘Red Notice’ and ‘Extraction’. According to Netflix, ‘The Mother’ was watched by more than 70 million households in its first four days, making it one of the biggest original movies ever released by the company.
‘The Mother’ marks a return to the action genre for Lopez, who has previously starred in movies like ‘Enough’ and ‘Parker’. The movie showcases her physical prowess and emotional depth as she fights to save her daughter, played by newcomer Lucy Paez, from the clutches of a ruthless villain, played by Gael Garcia Bernal.
The movie also features Joseph Fiennes, Omari Hardwick and Edie Falco in supporting roles. It was directed by Niki Caro, who previously helmed Disney’s live-action remake of ‘Mulan’. The screenplay was written by Misha Green, Andrea Berloff and Peter Craig, based on a story by Green.
Critics have praised Lopez’s performance and the movie’s fast-paced action sequences, while also noting some flaws in the plot and character development. The movie currently holds a 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.5/10 score on IMDb.
One of the movie’s most memorable scenes involves Lopez working with real wolves on set, which she described as “unpredictable” and “intense”. “They’re not dogs,” she said in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum. “They’re wild animals.”
Lopez also served as a producer for the movie, along with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina and Roy Lee. The movie is part of a multi-year deal that Lopez signed with Netflix last year to produce and star in a slate of films and TV shows.
‘The Mother’ is one of the many star-studded movies that Netflix has lined up for this year, as it competes with other streaming services and movie theaters for viewers’ attention. Some of the upcoming titles include ‘Don’t Look Up’, ‘The Harder They Fall’, ‘The Power of the Dog’ and ‘The Gray Man’.
Reference：
- Meet The Mother cast: who’s who in the Jennifer Lopez-led action movie | What to Watch | May, 12, 2023
- Reviews: Jennifer Lopez in’ The Mother’ and more streaming options … | Los Angeles Times | May, 12, 2023
- The Mother review: Why isn’t Jennifer Lopez a huge action star … | Polygon | May, 13, 2023