Director Bassam Tariq has found his cinematic dream project in "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," a film he developed with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. The collaboration marks a significant personal achievement for Tariq, especially after his departure from Marvel's Blade film in 2022, which ultimately saw the project dropped from the studio's future slate.
"Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother" is described as a spectral drama centered on a Muslim contract killer striving to protect his children and provide for his newborn. Set in Texas and steeped in Islamic culture, the film navigates between intense family drama and visceral action sequences, drawing comparisons to "John Wick." For both Tariq and Ali, the project feels particularly resonant, with Tariq stating it is "the movie both men were born to make."
The film is set to premiere at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival ahead of its September 25 release. In a conversation with Polygon, Tariq discussed the profound connection he shares with Ali, likening it to the symbiotic relationships between directors and their muses. He revealed that he wrote the script with Ali in mind, even using the actor's name in early drafts before they had officially met.
The two first connected at a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles during their time working on Blade. This initial meeting, a "vibe check" as Tariq described it, immediately established a shared creative wavelength, leading to a mutual desire to collaborate.
Tariq views the eventual realization of "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother" as miraculous, particularly given the circumstances of leaving the Blade project. He explained that the unexpected pause allowed him to reflect on his personal and professional life, which ultimately gave him the confidence to approach Ali with this new film concept. He emphasized a commitment to letting the work speak for itself rather than engaging with online speculation following his exit from Marvel.
He also reflected on the creative freedom that comes with author-driven projects. "When you're in [Marvel’s] system, and it's a really good system, they even tell you: ‘You're doing a film for Marvel.’ It's not a film by Bassam Tariq. It's a Marvel film that Bassam Tariq is directing," he noted, contrasting it with the personal vision he was able to realize in "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother." "So to have a voice as a filmmaker, to be clear and have a position on what a camera means and how a camera should sit, is the better way for me."
Ali's involvement significantly shaped the character of Latif. The actor brought a specific gait and a Southern drawl to the role, informed by conversations about their shared experiences and familial ties to the American South. Ali's Muslim faith also proved invaluable, eliminating the need for extensive explanations about cultural and religious practices on set.
Tariq praised Orion studio head Alana Mayo for allowing the film's authentic portrayal of its subject matter. He believes audiences are intelligent and capable of discerning nuance without being overtly instructed. This philosophy extends to his approach to storytelling, drawing parallels with video games where lore is often revealed gradually.
He cited "Five Nights at Freddy's" as an example of a game that offers fragmented narrative pieces, encouraging player investigation. Similarly, he aims to provide audiences with enough information to engage them, allowing them to explore further if they choose, rather than presenting an "after-school special."
Tariq openly acknowledged the influence of video games on his filmmaking. He specifically mentioned "Chrono Trigger" and "Shenmue" as personal favorites. He is particularly drawn to "Shenmue" for its ability to blend grand narrative arcs with the mundane realities of a character's daily life, such as working a forklift. This grounded portrayal, he feels, makes the eventual action sequences more impactful and emotionally resonant.
"Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother" is scheduled for release on September 25.