Fans have praised Jennifer Lopez for her performance in new thriller The Mother, as the film topped Netflix's most-watched charts during its opening weekend.
JLo stars as an unnamed military-trained assassin who comes out of hiding in order to protect her daughter Zoe. She had to give up her child years ago while on the run from dangerous men.
The action-packed thriller sees Jennifer push her physical limits, as she does countless pull-ups in arctic temperatures, before lugging a dead elk behind her like it weighs nothing. Directed by New Zealander Niki Caro, the film runs at just under two hours long.
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This week, Netflix crunched the data and revealed The Mother topped the charts as the number one opening weekend for a Netflix film in 2023, with 83.71 million hours viewed. The film, which was released ahead of Mother's Day in the US on Friday, May 12, became the most-viewed in 84 countries.
The Mother beat the debuts of both the Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston-led sequel Murder Mystery 2 and the hit film Glass Onion, according to Collider.
Viewers flocked to social media to share their awe as JLo marked her action film return. She previously featured in a string of high-impact blockbusters including 2002's Enough and 2022's Shotgun Wedding.
@Charelle17 tweeted: "If @JLo doesn't win all the awards for The Mother I'm giving up award shows completely" while @Bachie36371436 said: "The Mother of all Jennifer Lopez’ movies. Outstanding performance along with Lucy Paez. Oscar nomination for sure."
@BellaJLO echoed: "There need to be many awards for this film!! @JLo you are the true definition of an action hero… on, & off-screen!" as @SHtruthseeker agreed: "Award winning performance, in my opinion! Bravo! I really liked it."
@CurbeloCusack wrote: "The Mother is amazing! I think it’s #JenniferLopez’s best performance, yet" while @akeemGracejr added: "@JLo exceptional performance in " The Mother " you really embodied that character so well . The movie was really profound".
Some fans compared the actress to action legends, with @MZhet reckoning: "JLo giving Liam Neeson intensity in The Mother" while @SOLID_byNature said:" The Mother on Netflix is good! JLo lookin like Lara Croft".
The Mother cast consists of Omari Hardwick as FBI agent William Cruise, Gael García Bernal as arms dealer Hector Álvarez and The Handmaid's Tale's Joseph Fiennes as British arms dealer Adrian Lovell. Meanwhile Parks and Recreation's Paul Raci is Jons, the Mother’s former comrade in arms.
Actress Lucy Paez landed the role of Zoe after sending off a self-tape audition. She had been visiting the cinema herself when she learned of the opportunity, and decided to head home right away to record her lines.
The Mother is available to stream now on Netflix.
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