🎬 𝐈 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗)

I Killed My Mother (2009), directed by Xavier Dolan, is a semi-autobiographical drama that explores the turbulent relationship between a teenage boy and his mother. The film follows Hubert Minel (played by Dolan himself), a 16-year-old struggling with his identity, emotions, and an intense love-hate relationship with his mother, Chantale (Anne Dorval). While they share moments of affection, their interactions are often filled with arguments, resentment, and misunderstandings. Hubert, who is openly gay but has not explicitly come out to his mother, feels suffocated by her overbearing nature and inability to truly understand him. His frustration leads him to act out in rebellion, pushing their relationship to its breaking point.

The film captures the raw and chaotic emotions of adolescence, showing how Hubert navigates love, sexuality, and self-expression while clashing with Chantale at every turn. At school, he confides in his teacher, who seems to understand him better than his own mother. He also finds comfort in his secret relationship with Antonin, his boyfriend, whose mother is accepting and supportive, highlighting the contrast between the two family dynamics. Hubert resents Chantale for what he sees as her lack of sophistication and emotional depth, criticizing everything from her clothes to her habits. However, beneath his anger lies a deep, unspoken need for love and connection.

As their relationship deteriorates, Hubert’s behavior becomes increasingly reckless. He skips school, lies to his mother, and ultimately declares his hatred for her. In an attempt to discipline him, Chantale sends him to a strict boarding school, which only fuels his resentment. There, he feels trapped and disconnected, longing for the freedom to express himself and live on his own terms. Despite his defiance, moments of vulnerability reveal his deep emotional attachment to his mother, even as he struggles to articulate it. The title of the film is symbolic, representing the emotional "killing" of his mother in his mind rather than a literal act, as Hubert pushes her away in an effort to assert his independence.

Throughout the film, Dolan employs striking cinematography and dreamlike sequences to depict Hubert’s inner world. Black-and-white confessional-style monologues offer glimpses into his raw emotions, while stylized, intimate shots capture the intensity of his experiences. The film’s visual and narrative style is deeply personal, reflecting Dolan’s unique storytelling approach and cementing him as a rising auteur. His portrayal of Hubert is both frustrating and deeply relatable, capturing the complexities of mother-son relationships and the struggle of self-discovery. Anne Dorval delivers a powerhouse performance as Chantale, bringing depth and nuance to a mother who is neither perfect nor villainous, but simply human.

By the end, the film does not offer easy resolutions, instead embracing the messiness of family relationships. Hubert and Chantale share a rare moment of tenderness, suggesting that despite their conflicts, their love for each other remains. I Killed My Mother is a raw, emotional exploration of identity, rebellion, and the universal struggle between parents and children. With its poetic storytelling, striking visuals, and powerful performances, the film established Xavier Dolan as a bold new voice in cinema and remains a deeply personal, unforgettable coming-of-age story.