Mother (2009)
Kernel Score: 86% · 1,653 TMDB ratings · Rated R
Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Released: 2009-05-28
Runtime: 129 minutes
Where to watch Mother
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Philo
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-11-12.
Overview
A mother lives quietly with her son. One day, a girl is brutally killed, and the boy is charged with the murder. Now, it's his mother's mission to prove him innocent.
Mother parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Mother is an intense Korean crime drama involving a murder investigation, drunkenness, and disturbing themes.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Centers on a brutal murder investigation with disturbing crime scene and interrogation content.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Includes scenes of drunkenness and a character receiving acupuncture/needle treatment.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Mother
If you liked Mother, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) — 90%
- Forgotten (2017) — 87%
- Changeling (2008) — 85%
- Blue Velvet (1986) — 87%
- In Cold Blood (1967) — 84%
- The Sixth Sense (1999) — 89%
- Anatomy of a Fall (2023) — 85%
- Cape Fear (1962) — 85%
Director
Cast
- Kim Hye-ja as Mother
- Won Bin as Yoon Do-joon
- Jin Goo as Jin-tae
- Yoon Je-moon as Je-moon
- Jeon Mi-seon as Mi-seon
- Song Sae-byuk as Sepak Takraw Detective
- Lee Young-suk as Elder at Junk Shop
- Moon Hee-ra as Moon Ah-jeong
- Chun Woo-hee as Mi-na
- Kim Byeong-soon as Police Group Leader
Mother FAQ
Is Mother good?
Mother has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels, our own critic-informed editorial score.
Where can I watch Mother?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla and Philo and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Mother OK for kids?
Mother is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Mother is an intense Korean crime drama involving a murder investigation, drunkenness, and disturbing themes.
What movies are like Mother?
If you liked Mother, try Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Forgotten, Changeling and Blue Velvet.