Greek Mothers Never Die

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Rachel Suissa’s Greek Mothers Never Die arrives like a warm plate of spanakopita, comforting, unexpectedly tangy, and impossible to resist. When Greek matriarch Despina (played by Suissa) returns as a ghost to watch over her daughter, Suissa transforms the idea into a heartwarming treat that effortlessly blends supernatural whimsy with genuine warmth. At just over two hours long, this PG-13 comedy maintains an engaging pace and welcomes audiences of all ages.

Ella (Abby Miner) is a 26-year-old Floridian who has spent her entire life under her mother’s roof, enduring relentless critiques of her cooking, her appearance, and her romantic prospects. When Despina suddenly passes away, Ella expects relief. What she gets is a haunting. Despina’s spirit refuses to move on until Ella realigns her life with proper Greek values. Enter Nick (Simon Rérrolle), Ella’s childhood crush and now a handsome local doctor, who is blissfully unaware of the ghostly third wheel. A strong supporting cast adds memorable touches that round out the community around Ella.

Performances are the film’s strongest asset. Suissa embraces Despina’s imperious charm, delivering one-liners with commanding energy. Her physical comedy, from hovering silently behind houseguests to whipping out a ladle mid-conversation, never feels forced. Miner provides the perfect counterpoint, her exasperation and passionate energy playing off Suissa’s high-voltage presence. Miner’s chemistry with Rérrolle sparkles in every scene they share, whether revisiting the diner where they first met or tentatively rebuilding a connection nurtured in childhood. Rérrolle’s portrayal of Nick remains pleasantly low-key, allowing his character’s genuine warmth and subtle humour to shine.

“…a Greek matriarch returns as a ghost to watch over her daughter…”

Suissa skillfully juggles tonal shifts behind the camera. The film is shot with bright sun-washed framing that recalls eighties suburban comedies, but the editing maintains a crisp rhythm between living and dead that keeps the pacing lively. Production design leans into Mediterranean motifs with blue and white ceramics and floral accents. The bold colour palette, vibrant teals, warm ochres, and sunlit ambers, feels like an homage to an Italian giallo, heightening the film’s dreamlike whimsy without ever veering into cliché. The visual contrast between Ella’s pastel home and the dim lighting of Despina’s apparitions underscores the blend of reality and fantasy.

Composer Abraham Gomez Rosales weaves original pop-rock tunes into the score. The soundtrack never overwhelms dialogue but lifts scenes with a light, upbeat momentum. Sound design also shines, with the subtle creak of a floating chair or the whisper of Despina’s sarong in the breeze adding an extra layer of supernatural fun.

Script and tone are where the film sometimes trips over its own ambition. Dialogue sparkles when Suissa and Miner riff on Greek American clichés, but several jokes feel sitcom safe, teetering on the familiar rather than exploring new territory. A bit more risk in the humour or a few more moments of genuine chaos from Despina’s ghost would have escalated laughs. Even so, the screenplay steps back at the right moments to let genuine emotion fill quieter scenes.

Ultimately, Greek Mothers Never Die succeeds because it honours the fierce love at the heart of every immigrant family story. It reminds us that mothers have a way of inserting themselves into every corner of our lives, even after they are gone. At a time when cookie-cutter comedies fill streaming services, this film still shines with its sincerity, even though its humour sometimes relies on familiar tropes. If you want a lighthearted romantic comedy with a supernatural twist and performances that feel like home, this one’s for you.