Yo Mama, the comedy directed by Leïla Sy and Amadou Mariko, airs on France 2 on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 9:10 p.m. Originally released in 2023, the film features Claudia Tagbo, Zaho and Sophie-Marie Larrouy as three mothers who decide to take up rap to reconnect with their sons.
When Amandine, Fanta and Samira discover a gangsta-rap clip shot by their 11-year-old sons, they worry about the message the video sends and the influences their children are exposed to. Rather than simply punishing them, the three friends decide to respond on their own terms by making a rap video of their own.
This project, conceived to mend the communication gaps within their families, unexpectedly goes viral on social media. Discovered by a producer portrayed by Jean-Pascal Zadi, the three mothers are swept into a music industry whose rules they don’t know. As their fame grows, they gradually drift away from the very goal that had brought them together.
Yo Mama leverages this role reversal to confront generations and scrutinize how parents view their kids' cultural practices. Rap becomes both a flashpoint and a vehicle for self-expression, a bid to repair a frayed family dialogue.
The film also marks singer Zaho’s first major screen role, flanked by Claudia Tagbo and Sophie-Marie Larrouy. Their trio anchors this family comedy, while Jean-Pascal Zadi, Olivia Kuy and Stomy Bugsy portray several figures from the music world into which the characters are suddenly thrust.
Our take on Yo Mama (2023):
Spooked by their 11-year-old sons' rap clip, three mothers decide to jump into the rap game themselves, delivering a punchy clip aimed at restoring communication at home. Building on this offbeat premise, the two directors behind Yo Mama want mainly to spotlight the challenges of parenting in a housing-project context and keeping kids away from bad influences. It’s a project with plenty of heart and potential to move an audience, but that isn’t the film’s central aim.
Because, against all odds, the three friends ride a wave of resounding success, only to be overwhelmed by sudden fame and a world whose codes they don’t know... It’s also an opportunity to dissect the rap scene with a scalpel, though this subplot isn’t as well handled and is riddled with clichés and writing missteps in its execution. The word that comes to mind is "caricatural." Whether it’s the character played by Jean-Pascal Zadi, or that of Olivia Kuy, who introduces the three moms to rap, believability sagged. Especially since, as the film implies, it’s incredibly easy to produce quality and break through even with no prior know-how.
It’s only when the true heart of the film—the dialogue between mothers and sons—is re-centered that the viewer’s interest returns, ahead of a rushed finale. In truth, Yo Mama never quite finds a balanced equilibrium among its multiple strands, leaving the film feeling uneven and the themes somewhat oversimplified.
This screening on France 2 lets viewers discover or revisit a comedy that tackles parenting, digital fame, and the communication gaps between adults and teens, set against the backdrop of the rap world.
To go further, also check out our picks for films, series and shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to new releases across all platforms, and today’s selection: What to watch today on streaming.
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