'night, Mother
PG-13

'night, Mother

1986 • 96 min • Drama

Synopsis

A mother and daughter spend a night together after the daughter reveals that she will kill herself by the end of it.

Our family guide

Best from age 16
74
Movie Knight Score
41 reviews
  • 74 Audience · 41 · 100%

A daughter tells her mother she plans to end her life by morning, leading to a night of raw conversation between the two. This intense drama explores profound themes of life, despair, and the bonds of family.

Violence & peril
8/10
Language
3/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking
1/10
Romance & sensuality
0/10
Scary moments
7/10

Heads up

  • The film revolves entirely around a character's stated intention to commit suicide.
  • Discussions about past trauma, illness, and difficult life circumstances are central to the plot.
  • The subject matter is consistently heavy and can be emotionally challenging for viewers.

What it models well

  • Family bonds
  • Open communication
  • Empathy and understanding

Talk about it after

  • The lasting impact of grief and mental health struggles on individuals and families.
  • How to support someone who is experiencing deep despair.
  • The importance of seeking help and having open conversations about difficult feelings.
  • Finding purpose and value in everyday life.

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for 'night, Mother. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Tom Moore • Crew: Marsha Norman, Marsha Norman

Trailers & clips

Night mother trailer

Reviewer notes

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Gallery

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Details

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