All About My Mother

Year: 2021

Runtime: 120 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Tianyu Zhao

FamilyDrama

Ji Peizhen (Xu Fan) is the dedicated heart of her family, seemingly managing everything with effortless grace. Beneath the orderly facade of her home, however, lies a more complex reality. While she believes her daughter, Li Xiaomei, is exemplary, Xiaomei’s life in Beijing reveals a different side. Her husband, doctor Li Wengfan, struggles with a past mistake that prevents him from returning to his profession. Just as Ji Peizhen anticipates a peaceful retirement, she receives a devastating diagnosis: cancer, and only four months to live. The family must now grapple with how to navigate life in the face of such a profound loss.

All About My Mother (2021) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at All About My Mother (2021) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a bustling Chinese city, Ji Peizhen holds the quiet command of her household, orchestrating daily life with an ease that suggests nothing more than routine. Her home radiates a calm orderliness, the kind that masks the intricate web of relationships beneath its surface. The atmosphere is one of gentle domestic rhythm, where the simple acts of cooking, caring for the family, and maintaining the household become a silent testament to her steadfast devotion.

Her adult daughter, Li Xiaomei, lives far away in Beijing, carving out a life that feels both independent and distant from the familiar comforts of home. Meanwhile, Li Wengfan, the family’s physician husband, bears an unspoken weight from a past misstep that has quietly reshaped his professional ambitions. Their interactions hint at a delicate balance of respect, unfulfilled aspirations, and the unvoiced concerns that often linger in long‑term partnerships.

As Ji Peizhen contemplates a peaceful retirement—a moment she has long imagined as a gentle easing into a quieter chapter—a sudden, stark diagnosis arrives, delivering the news that she has a serious illness with only a short time ahead. The revelation shatters the illusion of endless routine, introducing a tone of introspective melancholy punctuated by the urgent need to reassess priorities and love.

The family now stands at the threshold of an uncertain future, forced to grapple with how to live meaningfully under the looming shadow of impending loss. The film’s mood is contemplative yet hopeful, exploring the resilience of familial bonds, the unspoken sacrifices that sustain them, and the quiet courage that emerges when life’s fragility becomes unmistakably present.

Last Updated: September 01, 2025 at 14:30

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about chosen families like All About My Mother

Stories where strangers become family through shared grief and unwavering care.If you liked the supportive circle of friends in All About My Mother, you'll find similar movies here. These films explore how found families form through shared hardship, offering stories of deep connection, mutual support, and resilience in the face of life's challenges.

found familygrievingcaringresilientsolemntenderintrospective

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a central character, often grieving or displaced, who enters a community of outsiders. Through a series of interwoven character arcs, this group learns to rely on one another, transforming individual sorrow into collective strength and purpose.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a focus on non-biological kinship, a melancholic yet tender tone, and heavy emotional weight derived from themes of loss and acceptance. They are united by the emotional journey from isolation to belonging.

Solemn movies about grief like All About My Mother

Quiet, reflective stories about navigating the overwhelming landscape of loss.For viewers who appreciated the profound examination of loss in All About My Mother, this section collects similar films. These movies offer a steady, reflective pace and a heavy emotional weight, portraying grief not as a plot point but as the central, transformative experience of the story.

grievingmelancholicreflectiveintrospectivesolemntenderheavybittersweet

Narrative Summary

The journey begins with a seismic emotional event, such as a death, that shatters the protagonist's world. The plot then follows their internal and external struggle, often involving new responsibilities or encounters that force them to engage with life again, leading to a bittersweet resolution built on irreversible loss.

Why These Movies?

This grouping is defined by a consistently melancholic tone, high emotional intensity, and a steady, contemplative pacing that allows the weight of grief to be fully felt. The narratives prioritize emotional authenticity over dramatic action.

Unlock the Full Story of All About My Mother

Don't stop at just watching — explore All About My Mother in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what All About My Mother is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

All About My Mother Summary

Read a complete plot summary of All About My Mother, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

All About My Mother Timeline

Track the full timeline of All About My Mother with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Characters, Settings & Themes in All About My Mother

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape All About My Mother. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

More About All About My Mother

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about All About My Mother: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to All About My Mother

Discover movies like All About My Mother that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.