Belgium’s Dardenne brothers return with clear-eyed, compassionate ‘Young Mothers’

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Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, now in their early 70s, have dedicated their filmmaking careers to telling the stories of young people facing hardship. Their work, beginning with their 1996 film “La Promesse” – about a teen confronting his abusive father – uniquely captures the struggles of those dealing with poverty or difficult family situations. While their peak recognition may have been in the late 1990s and early 2000s – when they won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes for both “Rosetta” and “L’Enfant” – the Dardenne brothers continue to create compassionate and insightful films that are truly special.

The Dardenne brothers’ new film, “Young Mothers,” isn’t their best work, but they consistently set the bar very high for themselves. They continue to try new things with their storytelling, shifting focus from a single, struggling character to an entire group. As always, the film offers a raw and honest portrayal of life for those on the fringes of society, this time following a group of teenage mothers, many of whom are raising their children alone. While the filmmakers may be getting older, their compassion for the most vulnerable members of society remains strong.

The film takes place in a shelter in Liège, the filmmakers’ hometown, and follows the lives of five teenage mothers. Though they share a living space, each woman faces very different challenges. Perla (Lucie Laruelle) initially planned to have an abortion, but decided to keep the baby when her boyfriend, Robin (Gunter Duret), expressed his love – only to find he now wants to leave. Julie (Elsa Houben) is struggling with drug addiction and hopes to get clean before she can build a stable life with her baby and partner, Dylan (Jef Jacobs), who has also battled substance abuse. Meanwhile, Jessica (Babette Verbeek), who is pregnant, is determined to find the woman who gave her up for adoption, hoping to understand why she was abandoned.

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The Dardenne brothers began their careers making documentaries, and they’ve always been known for simple, realistic films. They avoid using music and prefer long, unbroken shots, keeping things straightforward. However, their latest film, “Young Mothers,” feels different. Unlike some of their earlier work which built tension with dramatic chases, this film is more thoughtful and focuses on characters striving for both financial and emotional security. It’s still a deeply involved story, but less focused on immediate crisis.

The Dardenne brothers excel at finding drama in everyday life, not by exaggerating events, but by realistically portraying the struggles of simply trying to survive, particularly when people are forced to operate outside the legal system. In “Young Mothers,” the characters pursue seemingly simple goals, like getting sober or finding adoptive parents for their baby. However, these goals are still incredibly difficult and emotionally charged.

This show is most effective when you consider it as a whole. Because each mother’s story gets limited time, “Young Mothers” offers a broad look at the challenges they face. These problems range from societal issues like poverty and lack of support, to personal struggles with immaturity and insecurity common among young women. While it can be hard to focus on any single character, the combined hopes and dreams of the mothers are what truly resonate.

The acting isn’t weak by any means. Newcomer Laruelle powerfully portrays Perla’s emotional fragility as she comes to terms with being abandoned by her boyfriend. Verbeek, meanwhile, plays a character reminiscent of those often seen in Dardennes films – someone difficult to sympathize with, but in danger – as Jessica relentlessly tries to connect with her estranged mother, hoping for answers that will bring her peace. It’s a raw and direct performance, but Verbeek subtly suggests a hidden vulnerability beneath Jessica’s determined pursuit. The mother’s eventual explanation is delivered casually, making it even more impactful.

The Dardenne brothers create films with believable characters and difficult situations, avoiding easy solutions or false hope. While their films aren’t always cheerful, they do offer moments of tenderness and hope. “Young Mothers” highlights the strength of these women and also acknowledges the valuable support Belgium provides to vulnerable mothers, offering them a community and a lifeline. You genuinely connect with the flawed but realistic characters in a Dardennes film and find yourself worried about their futures. In this film, that concern is doubled – you care about the mothers and the children they are raising in a challenging world.

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2026-01-16 09:31