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Tatler Asia
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
14 Mother's Day movies that make moms feel seen
2. 'Stepmom' (1998) When a marriage breaks down, no one is more affected than the children. This emotional tale features a soon-to-be stepmom struggling to find her footing within her impending life and a terminally ill mother who's just coming to terms with her divorce and missing out on her children's future. Eventually, Isabel (Julia Roberts) and Jackie (Susan Sarandon) reach mutual ground. The film sensitively navigates themes of acceptance, blended families and the unbreakable bonds of maternal love. 3. 'Real Women Have Curves' (2002) What is it about coming-of-age stories and motherhood? Based on a play, it follows a Mexican-American teenager, Ana Garcia (America Ferrera), as she navigates cultural expectations and body image. Her relationship with her mother, marked by both tension and deep love, highlights the complexities of maternal influence. This film is an underrated gem and a must-watch on your list of favourite Mother's Day movies. Also read: Mother's Day gift guide: 5 thoughtful presents for your mum and the maternal figures in your life 4. 'Anak' (2000) In this poignant Filipino drama, Josie (Vilma Santos) leaves her homeland to work as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, aiming to provide a better future for her family. Unbeknownst to her, her husband passes away during her absence. Upon her return, she faces resentment from her children, especially her eldest daughter, Carla (Claudine Barretto), who feels abandoned. The film details the emotional toll of overseas work on familial relationships, highlighting the sacrifices made by many Filipino mothers. 5. 'The Meddler' (2015) Marnie Minervini (Susan Sarandon), a recent widow, moves to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter, Lori (Rose Byrne). Her well-intentioned involvement in Lori's life leads to humorous and heartfelt moments, showcasing the challenges of letting go and the enduring nature of maternal care. 6. 'The Joy Luck Club' (1993) Adapted from Amy Tan's bestselling novel, The Joy Luck Club is a touching and sweeping portrait of eight women—four Chinese American daughters and their immigrant mothers—who navigate the rift between two cultures and generations. At its heart, the film is a celebration of motherhood in all its complicated glory. From Suyuan Woo's (Kieu Chinh) quiet sacrifices to Lindo Jong's (Tsai Chin) fierce pride, each mother imparts lessons wrapped in pain, resilience and unspoken love. Their daughters, worlds apart in language and lifestyle, grapple with inherited trauma and expectations, learning that their mothers' silence was often an armour forged by history. This one is a must when you're planning a marathon of Mother's Day movies. 7. 'Tokyo Sonata' (2008) This Japanese drama portrays the disintegration of the Sasaki family after the patriarch loses his job. Megumi (Kyōko Koizumi), the mother, struggles to maintain normalcy amidst the family's unravelling. Her quiet resilience and eventual assertion of independence offer a compelling look at a mother's role in a changing family dynamic. 8. 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022) In this chaotic, genre-bending multiverse epic, Michelle Yeoh gives a career-defining performance as Evelyn Wang, a weary laundromat owner burdened by taxes, regrets and a drifting connection with her daughter, Joy (Stephanie Hsu). But when the multiverse cracks open, Evelyn becomes an unlikely heroine in an absurd, high-stakes journey to reclaim her relationship with her child. Through hot dog fingers and bagel metaphysics, Everything Everywhere All at Once becomes a breathtaking metaphor for generational disconnect and reconciliation. Evelyn's arc (equal parts kung fu master, existential philosopher and immigrant mother) is a tribute to the unglamorous, everyday heroism of motherhood. In all its messiness and beauty, she shows that being a good mother means embracing chaos and choosing love in every universe. 9. 'A Quiet Place' (2018) You wouldn't expect a list of Mother's Day movies to include a horror film, but there's nothing like terror to bring out one's maternal instincts. In a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by sound-sensitive creatures, Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) strives to protect her family in silence. Her fierce determination and sacrifices underscore the primal instincts of motherhood in the face of unimaginable threats. 10. 'Mother' (2009) Directed by Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho, this thriller follows a devoted mother (Kim Hye-ja) whose intellectually disabled son, Do-joon (Won Bin), is accused of murdering a young girl. Convinced of his innocence, she embarks on a relentless quest to uncover the truth. The film explores the depths of maternal devotion, questioning the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. See more: Bong Joon-Ho confirms 2 sequels to his Oscar-winning movie, Parasite 11. 'Terms of Endearment' (1983) Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) is a widowed, sharp-tongued mother whose love for her daughter Emma (Debra Winger) is as intense as it is meddlesome. Spanning 30 years, their relationship is a whirlwind of bickering, reconciliation and razor-sharp affection, tracking Emma's life choices and Aurora's reluctant growth into vulnerability. MacLaine and Winger's chemistry makes this not just a tearjerker, but a sharply observed portrait of a mother who can't help but smother. Let's not forget the daughter who both resents and needs it. 12. 'Mother India' (1957) An epic portrayal of maternal strength, this classic film features Radha (Nargis Dutt), a woman who endures immense hardships to raise her sons after her husband's departure. Facing poverty and societal challenges, Radha's unwavering moral compass and sacrifices epitomise the archetype of the selfless mother. 13. 'The Babadook' (2014) Amelia Vanek (Essie Davis) is a grieving widow and single mother whose son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), is spiralling into fear and paranoia over a mysterious storybook monster. But as the Babadook's presence grows more menacing, the film reveals itself as a chilling allegory for depression, trauma and the isolating intensity of motherhood. Amelia's exhaustion is palpable and her patience thin, but her fight is relentless. The Babadook doesn't just terrify—it lays bare the raw, unspoken truths of maternal despair and the herculean task of showing up for your child even when your world is falling apart. 14. 'Pieces of a Woman' (2020) Martha Weiss (Vanessa Kirby) is a woman whose world shatters after the loss of her newborn during a home birth. What follows is a slow, aching unravelling of her identity as a mother, partner and daughter, made even more complex by her domineering mother (Ellen Burstyn). The film is less about resolution and more about the quiet, unbearable persistence of grief and the fractured, imperfect ways women try to hold each other (and themselves) together. Don't miss: 8 fantastic fashion moments from Vanessa Kirby
Tatler Asia
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
7 K-drama proposals that had us crying into our soju
2. 'Destined With You' (2023) Jang Shin-yu (Rowoon) and Lee Hong-jo (Jo Bo-ah) are quite literally fated lovers—though fate comes with a sinister curse and centuries of tragic reincarnations. Their relationship begins with mistrust, blossoms into hesitant affection and deepens as they uncover the painful past that binds them. From ancient magic to modern misunderstandings, these two weather every possible emotional tempest. The proposal happens not in a grand gesture but in a moment of quiet resolve. After surviving spiritual possession, inherited trauma and multiple heartbreaks, Shin-yu kneels before Hong-jo and asks her to marry him—not to defy fate, but to finally claim it on their terms. It's tender, almost subdued and made all the more meaningful by the fact that this time, their love isn't doomed. Also read: 10 sweetest meet-cutes in K-drama history 3. 'Oh my Venus' (2015) Joo Eun (Shin Min-a) and Young Ho (So Ji-sub) didn't start with candlelit dinners or stolen glances—they bonded over sweat, self-discipline and late-night banter. She was a once-popular beauty struggling with body image and health; he was a celebrity trainer with a childhood marked by trauma and strict expectations. What began as a fitness contract slowly turned into a deeply respectful and emotionally grounded relationship. By the time Young Ho proposes, their love has been forged through resilience and recovery—both physical and emotional. The moment is quiet, sweet and uniquely symbolic: he hands her a ball of yarn, letting it unravel to reveal a ring tucked delicately inside (quite similar to Stepmom ). It's not just a creative gesture—it's a reflection of how their lives slowly wound around each other, stitch by stitch. A metaphor for care, patience and the gentle way they've helped each other heal. 4. 'What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?' (2018) He's a narcissistic CEO, she's the hyper-competent secretary ready to resign. Their workplace dynamics sizzle with banter and underlying attraction. What starts as a misunderstanding-filled chase morphs into one of K-drama's most endearing modern romances. Lee Young-joon (Park Seo-joon), the self-assured CEO, plans an extravagant rooftop proposal complete with candles, flowers, and a city skyline backdrop. But it's Mi-so (Park Min-young) who flips the script. Before he can utter his rehearsed lines, she gently proposes first—with subtlety, confidence and affection. In a drama known for its humour and charm, this unexpected reversal becomes one of its most romantic moments. 5. 'Business Proposal' (2022) Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-seop), the brilliant but emotionally reserved CEO, falls for Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jung), a bright, spunky employee who originally entered his life under false pretenses—pretending to be a wild, chaebol -repelling date for his matchmaking appointments. What followed was a comedy of errors, corporate chaos and a surprisingly touching romance that defied every trope it leaned into. When Tae-moo finally proposes, it's in a downpour that seems almost orchestrated by the drama gods themselves. He holds an umbrella over Ha Ri, confesses his love with a level of vulnerability he rarely shows, and asks her to share the rest of her life with him. It's classic K-drama stuff—but the chemistry between the leads and Tae-moo's earnest delivery makes it unforgettable. It's not just a confession—it's a clearing of emotional rainclouds. Don't miss: Love contracts: 8 fake relationships in K-dramas that had us invested 6. 'Queen of Tears' (2024) Up-and-coming lawyer Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun) thinks he's smooth but his secretly chaebol girlfriend is in control all along, booking the aquarium for a private event and even controlling the mood music. With everything seemingly falling into place, Hyun-woo believes that the universe is on their side and she asks for Hong Hae-in's (Kim Ji-won) hand in marriage. What's even sweeter is that we get two proposals in this series. Spoiler alert: the couple divorce later and Hyun-woo once again attempts to ask for her hand with a stunning Bvlgari solitaire. She rejects his profession of love only to be caught by Hyun-woo wearing and admiring the ring later. 7. 'King the Land' (2023) Gu-won (Lee Jun-ho), the emotionally reserved hotel heir, and Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah), the ever-optimistic concierge, go from clashing co-workers to an unexpectedly tender couple. Despite their class divide and a boardroom full of obstacles, their relationship blossoms on the foundation of trust, empathy and just enough office flirting. As far as proposals go, this one is private, heartfelt and refreshingly un-flashy. Gu-won whisks Sa-rang away to a scenic resort and drops the CEO bravado for a raw confession: she's the light in his otherwise sterile life. No flash mobs or champagne-fueled theatrics—just sincerity, a ring and a man finally brave enough to smile for real.
