Jennifer Lopez Shines as a Fearless Assassin in Netflix's Thought-Provoking Thrill-Ride, 'The Mother'

Naturally, Lopez brings her A-game as the hardened, no-nonsense mom. She's a skilled FBI agent who got involved with some dangerous people, and she's been in hiding ever since. So when she finally comes face to face with her biological daughter, Zoe, she's not the stereotypical Hallmark mom. She's sneaky, calculating and, for the most part, emotionally distant. But one can't help but empathize with her character, considering what she went through.

We won't spoil the details of her dark past, but let's just say that she's still dealing with the consequences of her mistakes—and she's determined to shield Zoe from them, even if it means staying out of her life. Eventually, Zoe's mom is forced to come out of hiding to save her, and things don't go so smoothly.

Given that most fictional mothers are kept on the sidelines, it's incredibly satisfying to see a mother step up and be the action hero. And what makes this movie even more powerful is that it centers on a flawed woman who leads a rather complicated life. She's not necessarily a superhero mom who effortlessly juggles parenthood and marriage with a career—she's a killer with a target on her back, and this only sharpens her maternal instincts.

The Netflix drama successfully turns the common "TV/movie mom"  stereotype on its head, but it also boasts plenty of action scenes to keep fans invested, from brutal fights to high-speed motorbike chases. Joseph Fiennes makes a terrifying villain and Omari Hardwick shines as a trusted ally. But truly, it's J.Lo who remains the star from beginning to end. Fans who loved Enough will especially enjoy seeing her as an action hero.

PureWow Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Jennifer Lopez delivers one of her most engaging performances in The Mother—a two-hour thrill ride that examines mother-daughter relationships and challenges shallow stereotypes. Fans of her old classic, Enough, will be happy to see her channel her inner Slim once again.

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