Young Mothers (2025)

In a modest communal home near Liège, Belgium, a group of five young women — Jessica, Perla, Julie, Ariane and Naïma — find themselves living under the same roof with their infants, each grappling with the weight of early motherhood in unexpected circumstances. Directed by the acclaimed Jean‑Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne, the film brings their intimate, distinct yet interconnected stories into sharp, compassionate focus.

For Jessica, the birth of her daughter reignites questions about her own past — including the absent mother who gave her up as a child. Perla, with her baby Noé, hopes that fatherhood will anchor the father of her child, but his instability looms large. Julie, once homeless and substance-dependent, is fighting to rebuild a life with her baby Mia in her arms. Ariane, at just fifteen, faces the fierce decision of whether she can stand as mother to a newborn or whether adoption becomes her only option. And Naïma, newly employed and determined, strives to both care for her child and bridge the gap with a family that doubts her.

What sets this film apart — and what makes it especially appealing — is its combination of raw realism, emotional clarity and humane storytelling. The Dardennes’ signature social-realist style applies here: no melodrama, no grand gestures, but real lives lived with dignity and challenge. According to critics, it is “deeply moving but never manipulative,” giving each young mother space, voice and nuance.

The setting itself — a home for teenage mothers — becomes part of the story. The routines of baths, shared meals, infant care training and group support become both background and crucible for transformation. These details ground the film in veracity and immerse the viewer in the rhythms of young life under pressure.

Yet despite the heavy subject matter — addiction, broken families, teenage parenthood, absent fathers — the film retains a flicker of hope, a belief in resilience and possibility. Viewers are drawn into five lives where the stakes are high but the humanity is clear. It’s a film for those interested in real-life dramas, character-driven narratives and stories of social justice told with empathy and artistry.

If you’re drawn to films that explore motherhood, vulnerability, redemption and the strength of community — told with the subtlety of master filmmakers — Young Mothers offers a powerful, absorbing experience that lingers long after the credits roll.