The Mother and the Bear (2026)

The Mother and the Bear is a comedy-drama written and directed by Johnny Ma. The film follows Sara, a devoted and overprotective Korean mother who flies from Seoul to Winnipeg after her adult daughter Sumi suffers a fall that leaves her comatose.

While staying in Sumi’s apartment, Sara discovers how little she truly knew about her daughter’s life. Determined to ensure Sumi’s future happiness, Sara sets up a dating account on her behalf. Along the way Sara meets new people, reconnects with parts of herself she had put aside, and gradually discovers that we often know less about our loved ones and even ourselves than we think.

Movie Title: The Mother and the Bear

Year of Release: 2024 (Festival premieres), 2026 (Theatrical release in the United States & Canada)
Date of Release: September 6, 2024 — Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) premiere; January 2, 2026 — Limited U.S. theatrical release (IFC Center & select theaters); January 9, 2026 — Wider releases including Canada & select U.S. markets.
Director: Johnny Ma
Writers: Johnny Ma
Producers: Niv Fichman, Juan de Dios Larraín
Production Companies: Rhombus Media, Fabula, Thin Stuff Productions
Distributor: Dekanalog