Jennifer Lopez is proving once again that she can do it all—and this time, she’s doing it with a sniper rifle.
The superstar’s Netflix hit, The Mother, has taken social media by storm since its Mother’s Day weekend debut, quickly climbing the ranks to become one of the streamer’s biggest openings of all time. J.Lo stars as a highly skilled U.S. assassin who crawls out of hiding to protect the daughter she gave up for adoption years prior.
While critics have been mixed, fans on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) are obsessed with the “mama bear” intensity Lopez brings to the screen. If you’ve already finished the flick and are craving more heart-pounding stories about parents going to the absolute edge for their kids, you’re in luck.
From dystopian nightmares to classic “I will find you” action, here are thrillers to watch after The Mother.
. Taken ()
You can’t talk about the “protective parent” subgenre without mentioning Liam Neeson. As Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative with a “very particular set of skills,” Neeson’s quest to rescue his kidnapped daughter in Paris set the gold standard for the modern action thriller.
. The Road ()
For a more emotional, post-apocalyptic take, Viggo Mortensen stars in this adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel. He plays an unnamed father navigating a gray, dying world, desperately trying to keep his son safe from cannibals and despair. It’s a raw, haunting look at the instinct to survive.
. Midnight Special ()
This sci-fi gem features Michael Shannon as a father on the run to protect his son, Alton, who possesses supernatural powers. With the government and a religious cult hot on their heels, it’s a beautiful exploration of the sacrifices parents make to help their children reach their destiny.
. Safe ()
If you want pure adrenaline, Jason Statham is your man. He plays an ex-elite agent who rescues a young girl with a “numerical code” in her head that everyone from the Russian mob to corrupt cops wants to steal. Much like J.Lo’s character, Statham’s Luke Wright is a one-man army.
. A Quiet Place ()
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski star in this viral sensation where silence is the only way to stay alive. The Abbott family must navigate a world filled with sound-sensitive monsters, showcasing the extreme lengths parents go to—like soundproofing a nursery—to ensure their children’s safety.
. Children of Men ()
In a future where women can no longer give birth, Clive Owen’s Theo Faron finds himself protecting the first pregnant woman in two decades. This dystopian masterpiece is a masterclass in tension and the hope that a single child represents.
. Prisoners ()
Hugh Jackman delivers a powerhouse performance as a father who takes the law into his own hands when his daughter goes missing. This dark, gripping thriller explores the moral lines parents are willing to cross when they feel the system has failed them.
. Bird Box ()
Sandra Bullock’s Malorie became a viral meme for a reason. Navigating a river while blindfolded to protect two children from unseen entities, Bullock captured that same “protect at all costs” energy that J.Lo brings to The Mother.
. Terminator : Judgment Day ()
The ultimate “warrior mom” blueprint. Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor is an icon of the genre, transforming herself into a soldier to protect her son, John, from a shapeshifting assassin from the future. It’s high-octane action with a massive heart.
. Panic Room ()
Long before she was a household name, a young Kristen Stewart starred alongside Jodie Foster in this David Fincher classic. The duo plays a mother and daughter trapped in their home’s “panic room” during a break-in, proving that a mother’s wit is just as dangerous as any weapon.
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