Mahershala Ali’s latest film by the director of Blade is receiving rave reviews.

For years, fans have eagerly anticipated Mahershala Ali’s portrayal of Blade in the MCU, but that dream has officially come to an end as the actor has closed the door on the project earlier this year. However, there’s a bright side: Ali has collaborated with director Bassim Tariq, who was previously attached to Blade, on a new film titled Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. With its release set for September 25, early reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

Currently, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother boasts a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 17 initial reviews, marking it as not just fresh but a certified masterpiece. The film features Ali as a deeply religious hitman navigating the streets of Houston to safeguard his children after the tragic loss of his wife. The action sequences are particularly noteworthy, showcasing Ali’s intense preparation for the role of Blade. The cast also includes notable names like John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tramell Tillman.

Critics are praising Ali’s performance and the film’s overall visual style. One reviewer noted that “what Ali, Tariq, and the collaborators have assembled feels not just like kismet but divinely ordained, as if this was the movie they were always meant to make.” While the potential of Ali and Tariq’s Blade will remain a tantalizing “what if?”, audiences can take comfort in the fact that something as remarkable as Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother emerged from it.

Blade was first announced back in 2019 with Ali set to star, and Tariq was brought on as director in 2021. However, he departed in 2023 after facing multiple delays. A new director was hired but also left in 2024 due to further production issues. At one point, the film was rumored to be set in the prohibition era, and Ruth E. Carter was attached as the costume designer before moving on to work on Sinners, which shares a similar theme.

As updates from Marvel dwindled, the project seemed to be in limbo. Earlier this year, Kevin Feige expressed feeling like a “failure” for not getting the film off the ground, which many interpreted as a sign of its cancellation. This was later confirmed by Ali, who stated that if Marvel ever revives Blade, it won’t be with him. Ali’s only contribution to the MCU thus far has been a voice role at the end of The Eternals.