Once Upon My Mother (2025)

Kernel Score: 75% · 216 ratings

Genres: Drama, Comedy

Released: 2025-03-19

Runtime: 102 minutes

Overview

In 1963, Esther gives birth to Roland, the youngest of a large family. Roland is born with a club foot that prevents him from standing. Against everyone's advice, she promises her son that he will walk like the others and that he will have a fabulous life. From then on, Esther will do everything in her power to keep this promise. Through decades of trials and miracles of life, this film is the story of a true, funny and moving story, that of an incredible destiny and the greatest love there is: that of a mother for her child.

Once Upon My Mother parents' guide: ages 6+

Parents need to know that Once Upon My Mother is a French family drama about a mother's decades-long devotion to helping her disabled son live a full life.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

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Director

Ken Scott

Cast

  • Leïla Bekhti as Esther Perez
  • Jonathan Cohen as Roland Perez (Adult)
  • Joséphine Japy as Litzie Gozlan
  • Sylvie Vartan as Sylvie Vartan
  • Jeanne Balibar as Mrs. Fleury
  • Lionel Dray as Maklouf Perez
  • Anne Le Ny as Mrs. Vergepoche
  • Milo Machado-Graner as Jacques Perez (12-17 years old)
  • Naïm Naji as Roland Perez (5-7 years old)
  • Iliana Belkhadra as Nicole Perez (15-20 years old)

Once Upon My Mother FAQ

Is Once Upon My Mother good?

Once Upon My Mother has a 75% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 216 audience ratings.

Is Once Upon My Mother OK for kids?

Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that Once Upon My Mother is a French family drama about a mother's decades-long devotion to helping her disabled son live a full life.

What movies are like Once Upon My Mother?

If you liked Once Upon My Mother, try The First Beautiful Thing, Fatherhood, Bye Bye Morons and All Three of Us.