Jennifer Lopez is back in action in The Mother — and she’s making it a family affair. The star plays a military-trained assassin who comes out of hiding to protect the daughter she gave up years earlier after she’s kidnapped by dangerous men. In other words, she’s got a particular set of skills, and woe unto those who cross her. 

Still, even a tough mother needs some support. Ahead, get to know the all-star cast of the Niki Caro–directed film, now streaming on Netflix.

Doane Gregory/Netflix

Jennifer Lopez

Who she plays: The Mother
What to know: This marks Lopez’s return to thrilling action movies — have you seen Enough? If not, make it a double feature. And if so… make it a double feature.  
Where you’ve seen her: Selena, The Cell, The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan, Halftime and, most recently, Ben Affleck’s Dunkin’ Super Bowl commercial
Where to follow: Instagram and Twitter 

Lucy Paez as Zoe (right) in The Mother.

Doane Gregory/Netflix

Lucy Paez

Who she plays: Zoe, the Mother’s 12-year-old daughter. Watch Paez talk about her audition here.
What to know: Paez and Lopez really bonded behind the scenes. “She was very protective of me and I felt like I could talk to her about anything. She would talk to me in a mentor-best friend-motherly way,” Paez recently told Tudum. 
Where you’ve seen her: Silencio, The Exorcism of Carmen Farias
Where to follow: Instagram

Watch Lopez and Paez share the best advice they’ve received from their own mothers below:

Ana Carballosa/Netflix

Omari Hardwick

Who he plays: FBI agent William Cruise
What to know: Hardwick is also a poet and hosts a hip-hop spoken word podcast called Poetics.
Where you’ve seen him: Kick-Ass, Army of the Dead, Power, Sorry to Bother You
Where to follow: Instagram and Twitter 

Ana Carballosa/Netflix

Gael García Bernal

Who he plays: Arms dealer Hector Álvarez 
What to know: He’s known best friend and frequent co-star Diego Luna since they were children. 
Where you’ve seen him: Y Tu Mamá También, The Motorcycle Diaries, Bad Education, Mozart in the Jungle, Amores Perros, Coco, Station Eleven 
Where to follow: Instagram and Twitter

Doane Gregory/Netflix

Joseph Fiennes

Who he plays: British arms dealer Adrian Lovell and the Mother’s military mentor 
What to know: Going from playing the Bard to Gilead’s chilling Commander Waterford? It’s called range. 
Where you’ve seen him: Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, The Handmaid’s Tale 

Eric Milner/Netflix

Paul Raci

Who he plays: Jons, the Mother’s former comrade in arms who helps her start over in Alaska
What to know: The best supporting actor Oscar nominee and Vietnam War veteran is also a singer in ASL Black Sabbath tribute band Hands of Doom.
Where you’ve seen him: Baskets, Goliath, Parks and Recreation, Sound of Metal

Need more movies to watch with your mom? Check out the recommendations below:

What to Watch With Your MomMovies and shows you can both enjoy.