The story of All About Mothers
All About Mothers is a 2018 French comedy-drama that centers on five women bound together by motherhood, circumstance, and the kind of complicated friendship that only grows messier with time. The film doesn't follow a single protagonist — instead, it weaves together their overlapping lives, secrets, and struggles. What starts as a surface-level portrait of modern motherhood quickly reveals itself to be something sharper: a film about identity beyond the nursery, about the resentments that fester beneath cheerful facades, and about what happens when you can't just smile and pretend everything's fine anymore. There's no grand dramatic arc here, no tidy resolution. Just five women trying to figure out who they are when nobody's watching.
Behind the making of All About Mothers
Director Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar brought together an impressive ensemble cast to anchor this 102-minute exploration of motherhood and female friendship. The film stars Audrey Fleurot, Clotilde Courau, Olivia Côte, Pascale Arbillot, Jeanne Rosa, Carmen Maura, and Nicole Garcia — a lineup that speaks to the production's ambition. Mention-Schaar, known for her sharp eye for character and dialogue, crafted a script that feels lived-in rather than constructed. The film's French production values are evident throughout, with a naturalistic cinematography style that prioritizes performance over spectacle. While the film didn't become a major box-office juggernaut, it found its audience among those who appreciate ensemble dramas that refuse to sentimentalize motherhood. The cast ensemble itself — particularly the chemistry between the leads — became the film's greatest asset, with each actress bringing distinct energy to her role. Mention-Schaar's direction trusts her actors to carry scenes through nuance and silence as much as through dialogue, a choice that pays off when you've got this caliber of performer on screen.
What makes All About Mothers stand out
What's striking about this film is how it refuses the usual maternal mythology. These aren't noble, self-sacrificing mothers — they're people with ambitions that don't fit neatly into parenthood, with desires that contradict their responsibilities, with friendships that sometimes matter more than their kids do. That contradiction, that messy reality, is where the film actually lives. The performances anchor everything. Fleurot brings a particular intensity to her role, and there's a scene early on where she's trying to explain her frustration to a friend that just lands — you see her character's entire internal architecture crack open in a single monologue. The film doesn't shy away from comedy either; it's a comedy-drama, and the humor comes from recognizing yourself in these women's small humiliations and petty grievances. I keep coming back to how the film treats its characters' anger as legitimate rather than something to be resolved or forgiven. That's rare. The IMDb rating of 5.4/10 (based on 236 votes) suggests the film's divisive nature — some viewers want their mother characters to be more sympathetic, more forgivable. Others find that refusal to soften the edges exactly the point. Honest work, even when it doesn't land perfectly.
Where to stream All About Mothers online
All About Mothers is widely available across streaming platforms, making it easy to find no matter your preferred service. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Canal VOD, Pathé Home, Premiere Max, Rakuten TV, and VIVA by videofutur. That's a remarkable spread of availability — far broader than many independent films manage. The "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page will show you current availability in your region, since streaming rights shift regularly. If you're already subscribed to Disney+ or Prime Video, you've likely got access right now. For those who prefer to own rather than rent, physical copies and digital purchases remain available through most of the platforms listed above. Movie OTT tracks these availability shifts across all major services, so you can check back if your preferred platform doesn't currently have it.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed All About Mothers?
Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar directed the film. She's known for her character-driven ensemble work and her refusal to soften complex female characters for audience comfort.
Q: How long is All About Mothers?
The film runs 102 minutes, a tight runtime that keeps the ensemble narrative moving without feeling rushed.
Q: Is All About Mothers based on a true story?
No, it's an original screenplay by Mention-Schaar, though like many ensemble dramas it draws from the real experiences and observations of motherhood that many viewers will recognize.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for All About Mothers?
The film holds a 5.4/10 rating on IMDb based on 236 votes, reflecting its divisive nature — some viewers connect deeply with its unflinching portrait of motherhood, while others find it too bleak or unresolved.
Q: Can I watch All About Mothers on Netflix?
Not currently. The film is available on numerous other platforms including Disney+, Prime Video, and Apple TV Store, but Netflix isn't among the services carrying it at this time.
Final thoughts on All About Mothers
All About Mothers won't be for everyone. It's deliberately unglamorous, sometimes frustrating, and deeply skeptical of the idea that motherhood is inherently noble or redemptive. But if you're looking for a film that treats adult women as complex, contradictory, and worthy of serious attention — if you want to see female friendship portrayed with all its competitiveness and loyalty tangled together — this is worth your time. The ensemble cast deserves the credit for making Mention-Schaar's vision work. Movie OTT's streaming aggregator makes it simple to find where you can watch it today.
