Sartaj Singh
Films often hold up mirrors to our own lives and experiences, allowing us to emotionally resonate with the relationships and bonds conveyed. The dynamic between a mother and daughter can be especially multifaceted, with themes ranging from unconditional love and mutual support to overprotectiveness and fixation. Such dynamics have enriched heartwarming comedies to poignant dramas while also serving as the basis of familial dysfunction in thrillers. These are some of the best movies on Hulu that feature their own unique and vastly different mother-daughter relationships.
6. Jacinta (2020)
Jessica Earnshaw’s documentary drama ‘Jacinta’ is a heartbreaking exploration of a mother-daughter relationship that is torn apart by addiction and incarceration. The film revolves around Rosemary and Jacinta, both of whom are in prison due to drug abuse, which began with Rosemary as a way to deal with the trauma of rape. Rosemary has done heroin with her three children, including Jacinta, and the film focuses on how the latter tries to come out of the cycle of prison and drugs after serving 10 months, so that she can reconnect with and take care of her own child. How the two women deal with the overwhelming emotions has been showcased in an unfiltered manner, one that is as painful as it is surprising. You can watch ‘Jacinta’ here.
5. Stolen by Their Father (2022)
Directed by Simone Stock, ‘Stolen by Their Father’ tells the true story of a mother who broke barriers and crossed borders trying to get back her daughters, who were kidnapped by her abusive husband (Kimonas Kouris). Based on Lizbeth Meredith’s memoir ‘Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters,’ the film follows Meredith (Sarah Drew) as she pulls all possible strings to find her daughters while ensuring that her husband doesn’t find out what she’s doing. If he does, he will probably disappear with the girls forever unless he has something worse in mind. Compelling and shocking, ‘Stolen by Their Father’ does a good job pulling off its connection to reality, fueled by Drew’s performance. You can watch the film here.
4. Abducted: The Mary Stauffer Story (2019)
Directed by Jim Donovan, ‘Abducted: The Mary Stauffer Story’ chronicles the harrowing true story of Mary Stauffer as she and her daughter are held captive by a former student. Mary, a former missionary and teacher, is abducted along with her 8-year-old daughter, Beth, by a former student, Ming Sen Shiue. He continued to confine and sexually assault Mary while imprisoning them in extremely poor conditions. The Lifetime thriller explores the psychological and emotional trauma of their captivity, as well as the profound bond between mother and daughter that helps them endure the unimaginable. Donovan’s direction ensures a tense, suspenseful narrative that honors the real-life bravery of Mary Stauffer and her daughter, showcasing their strength and courage in the face of terror. You can watch ‘Abducted: The Mary Stauffer Story’ right here.
3. Fresh Kills (2023)
Jennifer Esposito’s ‘Fresh Kills’ centers on the women of the Larusso crime family, specifically sisters Connie (Odessa A’zion) and Rose (Emily Bader) and their mother Francine (Esposito). While turning a blind eye to their family’s illegal and criminal operations is tough, it is a whole new ball game to fend for themselves after the ladies move to their new home in Staten Island. To add to the undercurrent of chaos is the strained relationship between the two sisters, whose hits are inadvertently subjected to Francine. How long can this go on? With a rare and gripping take on the gangster genre that keeps the patriarchy aside, ‘Fresh Kills’ is a dark and compelling exploration of a mom-daughter relationship. You can watch it here.
2. Monica (2022)
‘Monica’ follows the journey of the titular transgender woman who returns home after many years to care for her ailing mother, Eugenia. Monica is visiting her family after the transition and poses as a caretaker hired for her mother by her sister. The story delves into Monica’s struggles with acceptance and forgiveness as she faces the family she left behind, including her estranged siblings and a mother who doesn’t seem to recognize her. Under Andrea Pallaoro’s direction, Monica’s deep emotional strain from trying to reconnect with her unraveled family relationships is impactfully conveyed, with subtle cinematography adding to the somber scenes. The daughter has a heartfelt desire to embrace her mother but is unable to do so, afraid of revealing herself, leading to truly poignant moments. You can stream the heartwarming drama here.
1. Run (2020)
Helmed by Aneesh Chaganty, ‘Run’ introduces us to a twisted mother-daughter relationship in a hair-raising thriller. Chloe is a wheelchair-bound teen who has been homeschooled and is completely dependent on her single mother, Diane, to take care of her. When Chloe finds mismatched documents and forged labels plastered over her prescription pills, she begins to suspect that her mother is hiding something. Things turn sinister as Chloe begins searching online for the medicine she discovered but finds that the house has no internet, unaware that her mother has unplugged the router and is peering at her from the dark. As panic sets in, the film gathers pace and refuses to slow down its terrifying mother-daughter story. You can watch the gripping drama right here.
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