A Journey That Sneaks up on You

Read Time:4 Minute, 55 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Mother and the Bear
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Genre: Drama, Comedy
Year Released: 2024, 2026
Runtime: 1h 40m
Director(s): Johnny Ma
Writer(s): Johnny Ma
Cast: Kim Ho-jung, Won-Jae Lee, Jonathan Kim, Amara Pedroso Saquel
Where to Watch: opens in theaters beginning January 2, 2026

RAVING REVIEW: THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR provides us with an emotional premise that could easily tip into manipulation or charm, but instead it chooses restraint. Writer/director Johnny Ma approaches the story from a place of empathy rather than judgment, allowing the film to explore this world as a character study first and a narrative exercise second. What emerges is a quietly emotional dramedy that understands how love, fear, and control often coexist, especially within families shaped by immigration and unspoken expectations.

At the center of the film is Sara, played with a remarkable warmth and complexity by Kim Ho-jung. Sara is overbearing, intrusive, and frequently misguided, yet she’s never reduced to a caricature. Her decision to catfish a potential partner for her comatose daughter is treated not as a punchline, but as an extension of her worldview. For Sara, love means action, and action means intervention. The film doesn’t excuse her behavior, but it takes the time to understand it, which is far more interesting. Kim Ho-jung delivers a performance that feels lived-in, balancing humor with genuine vulnerability. She allows Sara to be funny without becoming foolish, and controlling without becoming monstrous.

Johnny Ma’s direction favors observation over emphasis. He trusts small moments, awkward silences, and detail to carry the emotional weight. The humor is understated and situational, often emerging from misunderstandings or generational disconnects rather than overt jokes. This approach gives the comedy an organic quality that never undermines the film’s emotional core. When the story leans into warmth, it feels earned, not manufactured.

The supporting cast plays a crucial role in grounding the film’s themes. Won-Jae Lee brings an understated charm to Sam, a character who mirrors Sara in unexpected ways. Their shared desire to shape their children’s futures creates a quiet, reflective dynamic that deepens the film’s exploration of parental identity. Jonathan Kim’s Min is particularly effective as a character caught between obligation and autonomy. His performance captures the exhaustion of trying to meet expectations that are never fully articulated, a struggle that resonates well beyond the film’s cultural specificity. Amara Pedroso Saquel adds texture and contrast, representing a different relationship to independence and self-definition.

One of the film’s strongest achievements is its handling of transformation. THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR isn’t interested in dramatic revelations or tidy emotional resolutions. Sara’s journey unfolds little by little, shaped by small realizations rather than grand gestures. The film understands that change often arrives quietly, through discomfort, embarrassment, and moments of self-recognition. This restraint gives the ending its emotional power. Rather than telling the audience what to feel, the film invites reflection.

That said, the film isn’t without limitations. The narrative structure is intentionally gentle, but at times it risks feeling overly familiar. Certain story beats are shown and covered too early, and some viewers may wish the film pushed further into unpredictability. While the emotional payoff is sincere, the journey there occasionally feels too comfortable, especially given the premise's provocative nature. A slightly sharper edge in the script could have elevated the film from very good to exceptional.

These are measured critiques rather than fundamental flaws. THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR succeeds because it understands its scope and never overreaches. It’s a film about letting go, not in a dramatic sense, but in the quiet, painful realization that love doesn’t grant ownership. Johnny Ma demonstrates a steady confidence as a filmmaker, crafting a story that respects its characters and its audience. There’s something here that is more than the sum of its pieces; the story doesn’t just sit with you, it lets you accumulate the moments throughout and gather the larger picture of what you just experienced in the end.

THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR is a thoughtful, emotionally grounded dramedy that finds humor and tenderness in places where control and fear once lived. It’s a film that lingers not because it demands attention, but because it earns it through honesty, patience, and genuine care for the people at its center. If you want a story that will make you think for a long time after finishing it, I can’t recommend this enough. Even as I wrap up this review, I’m still coming to terms with how this all played out.

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[photo courtesy of DEKANALOG]

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