I Killed My Mother (2009)

In the heart of Montréal, the fierce turbulence of adolescence collides with the complex dynamics of family ties in the life of sixteen-year-old Hubert Minel. Starting eleventh grade at a public school, Hubert is stuck in a strained relationship with his mother, Chantale Lemming, a woman he once adored, but now views with a potent blend of love, disdain, and outright contempt. His father, Richard Minel, remains a phantom figure, both geographically close yet emotionally distant, unprepared for the demands of parenthood. Hubert and Chantale's relationship, once a tender bond, now teeters on the brink of animosity, their interactions often degenerating into fiery arguments. The mere thought of acknowledging Chantale's existence for a school assignment sends Hubert into a spiral of denial, prompting him to concoct a lie about her death. He yearns for the freedom his grandmother's inheritance promises when he turns eighteen, but for now, he is trapped in the vortex of his mother's world, a universe of tacky sweaters, kitsch decorations, manipulation, and guilt. As Hubert navigates the labyrinth of his teenage years, he finds solace in his budding friendship with Antonin Rimbaud and an unexpected bond with his teacher, Julie Cloutier. Antonin, who shares a more amicable relationship with his own divorced mother, and Julie, the only adult who seems to understand Hubert's turmoil, become his anchors in the stormy sea of his realities. In this whirlwind of savage fury, melting affection, artistic awakenings, and the bitter taste of ostracism, Hubert's life takes a significant turn when Chantale encounters Antonin's mother, Hélène, for the first time. This compelling narrative, a semi-autobiographical masterpiece from the mind of 20-year-old director Xavier Dolan, unravels the fabric of the love and hate that bind a mother and son, and the relentless quest for identity in the throes of adolescence.

I Killed My Mother is a drama movie featuring Xavier Dolan.

I Killed My Mother is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Dekkoo, Hoopla and Metrograph.

It is also possible to buy I Killed My Mother on Kino Now.