Young Mothers (original title Jeunes mères) is a 2025 Belgian–French drama film written and directed by Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne.
The film follows five teenage mothers living in a shelter in Liège, Belgium, as they deal with challenges of parenthood, family relationships, personal trauma, substance issues, and the struggle to build a better future for themselves and their children. True to the Dardennes’ signature social-realist style, the story is told through everyday interactions that show hardship and quiet resilience without judgment.
Movie Title: Young Mothers (Jeunes mères)
Year of Release: 2025 (Festival & European theatrical); 2026 Limited theatrical release – USA)
Date of Release: January 9, 2026 (U.S)
Director: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Writers: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Producers: Ava DuVernay, Sarah Esberg, David Levine
Production Companies: Array Filmworks, Forward Movement, DuVernay Productions
Distributor: Netflix
Cast and Roles:
- Lucie Laruelle as Perla
- Babette Verbeek as Jessica
- Elsa Houben as Julie
- Janaïna Halloy Fokan as Ariane
- Samia Hilmi as Naïma
- Jef Jacobs as Dylan
- Günter Duret as Robin
- Christelle Cornil as Nathalie (Ariane’s mother)
- India Hair as Morgane (Jessica’s mother)
- Joely Mbundu as Angèle (Perla’s older sister)
- Claire Bodson as Isabelle
- Eva Zingaro as Asun
Running Time: 105–106 minutes
Age Rating: Not widely listed (focused on adult themes)
Country: Belgium, France
Language: French with English subtitles
Genres: Drama
Music: Not separately credited in primary sources (focused on naturalist sound design)
Cinematography: Benoît Dervaux
Editing: Marie-Hélène Dozo
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