The Wasteland Reviewer

The Mother and the Bear (2026) Written Review

How far will a mother go to care for her daughter? The distance from Seoul, South Korea to Winnipeg, Canada would certainly be the answer for the film The Mother and the Bear. Sara is an overbearing mother who is constantly concerned about her daughter who flew across the world to branch out for her own life. But Sumi, her daughter, unfortunately has an accident in an alley and ends up in a coma. Writer/director Johnny Ma’s new film is a journey of understanding and growth for this woman as she learns to let go and live life too. 

How does Ma bring this story to life on screen? One of the most unique elements of this film is the presence of the titular bear in the film. Generally, this is some standard comedy and drama for a familial story but Ma leans into some more mysterious and surreal elements at key moments in the film that feel like they deepen the overall experience for the film. There is one scene with Sara that is truly emotional and profound as Ma leans into some visual effects and the music from Marie-Helene L. Delorme accentuates emotional weight. There are a few other moments of artistic choices including a scene where Sumi’s friend, Amaya, shows something deeply important to Sara. The music and visual flair in these moments gives the film some extra personality. Generally, The Mother and the Bear is a visually sharp and engrossing film that looks crisp and well-made. There is a nice balance of laughs and emotional beats that gives the film a human feeling. The use of music is essential to the film’s success with an Elvis track making such an impactful presence in the film’s narrative and atmosphere. 

Does Ma’s story leave the audience with a powerful experience? There is a rich tapestry of thematic work on display for this film. One of the key elements of the film is Sara (Kim Ho-jung) building a connection with Sam (Lee Won-jae) who is a divorcee who runs a restaurant in Winnipeg. Sara must overcome her controlling nature with her daughter, and she witnesses the effects of such a dynamic from the outside as she sees the dynamic with Sam and his son, Min. There is something quite powerful when Sara comes to a specific realization and becomes comfortable with letting her daughter live her life. But Sara’s journey takes her through other interesting elements including joining a dating app which gives the film some surprising twists and turns. The film offers an interesting perspective on this means of dating and, more importantly, motivates Sara to find her own joy. The film also navigates the challenge that younger folks must contend with more traditional and restrictive perspectives on who you can love. There are a few truly beautiful moments that result from the story taking the audience and its characters in that direction. Overall, The Mother and the Bear is a beautiful exploration of a parent learning to let go and allowing both themselves and their children to live life to its fullest.

What is the special ingredient to this satisfying cinematic meal? The acting is quite impressive. Most importantly, Kim is a revelation. She is engrossed with a dynamic presence. You can feel the tension and anxiety towards the beginning of the film as Kim captures the state of Sara’s being so perfect. As Sara explores this dating app, we witness Kim becoming more confident in her own skill and she emits an alluring presence at times during the film. There is a beautiful character moment in the film where Sara gives in and performs an Elvis song in private and Kim exudes so much raw energy, presence, and emotion. This might be the best scene in the whole film. The rest of the cast feel quite organic and believable along the way. Lee and Kim have great chemistry together and their connection feels so organic. Amara Pedroso (Amaya) is a great addition to the film, especially when she shares a special moment with Sara as well as seeing her teach her little students theater. Ma found such an authentic and engaging cast to bring this film to life. 

Does Ma deliver an engrossing and worthwhile cinematic experience? The Mother and the Bear will make for a great entry point for cinema in 2026. Opening the first weekend of the year, this is a great way to start off 2026 in a strong way. Kim truly steals the show and anchors this film with the compelling character study written by Ma. There might be tropes and cliches sprinkled throughout but the hook and character work make it stand out well.