The Mother and the Bear

Name: The Mother and the Bear
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: January 2, 2026
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 73

2026

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Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

Dekanalog | Release Date: January 2, 2026

Summary: After 26-year-old Sumi suffers an accident on the streets of wintry Winnipeg, her overbearing mother Sara flies in from Seoul to be by her now comatose daughter's side. As Sara meddles in Sumi's life via a dating app, she ends up on a journey that will leave her forever changed.

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Chris Knight

Jan 7, 2026

There’s great writing in the screenplay (also by Ma), and fantastic music choices, including an otherworldly score by Montreal electronic music artist Marie-Helene Leclerc Delorme, and a groovy cover of the old love song “Unchained Melody.” Read full review

Bobby LePire

Jan 9, 2026

The Mother And The Bear is a very different spin on the romantic comedy and self-actualization tale. By combining the two, Johnny Ma creates a distinct and engaging story. It is led by the brilliant Kim Ho-Jung, who is aided by a wonderful supporting cast. The music also does a lot of heavy-lifting, emotionally speaking, and everything just comes together in a truly sweet and life-affirming way. Read full review

Barry Hertz

Jan 8, 2026

Ma’s film isn’t solely set on establishing The Peg’s winter bona fides, but rather exposing the city’s throbbing romantic heart, which might be able to melt the coldest of days. Read full review

IndieWire Ritesh Mehta

Oct 29, 2024

Any weaknesses lie more in the slightly tired general themes Ma explores. The Mother and the Bear doesn’t bring a lot of new material to the familiar narrative of parents becoming enlightened towards their child’s sexuality. Read full review

Collider Taylor Gates

Oct 29, 2024

While Ma’s script can feel broader than one might like when it comes to the core dynamic between Sara and Sumi, it thrives as a love story and character study and offers enough heartwarming moments of humor to make it well worth your while. Read full review

Screen Rant Gregory Nussen

Jan 2, 2026

When Ma focuses on the grounded journey of Sara's fish-out-of-water story and the genuine chemistry between her and Sam, the film sings. Read full review

Brandon Yu

Jan 1, 2026

Like any decent soap, The Mother and the Bear is powered by human dramas that are contrived, silly and ultimately a little weird. But what actually happens belie what is in execution a relatively sedate story about the spoken frictions and unspoken secrets between mother and daughter, father and son. Read full review

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