J Baby

Suresh Mari's 2024 Tamil film follows a mother who leaves home without warning. Her two sons set out to find her. The family's past opens during the search. The mother's mental health has been a problem for years; the narrative also shows the people around who treat it as shame, and gives at length the sons passing responsibility back and forth. Urvashi leads. The tone moves between humour and pain. The production is small. Who it's for: viewers of Tamil independent cinema and family drama. Who it's not for: viewers for whom scenes of mental illness would be difficult.