Mother, May I Have a Kidney? (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

2025 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW! 

The hypochondriac Doug (Doug Plaut) has found himself in a bit of a pickle. Having suffered through cancer, he is now in desperate need of a kidney. While doctors have located a perfect match, that kidney belongs to his estranged mother–the one who has often found his health concerns to be nothing short of annoying. Mother, May I Have a Kidney? explores life and death in a comedic way, presenting real world problems to viewers with a twist. 

There’s a lot going on in this first episode of Mother, May I Have a Kidney?, and for good reason. Director Paul Schnee certainly looks to develop a series of storylines that can carry viewers through an entire season of a show. Whether it be the fact that Doug needs a new kidney or the less-prominent story of him attempting to rekindle relationships with his estranged family–there is certainly enough here to warrant an entire season of tomfoolery, but the potential depth that exists within these narratives is equally intriguing. That depth, however, should have been more effectively explored in the early going. 

Mother, May I Have a Kidney? is a comedy through and through–but the drama that exists among this motley crew of a family shouldn’t be taken lightly. Comedy certainly has a place, but I feel that Schnee and his team should have put far more effort into developing suspense, heightening the drama and creating a potential emotional response on the part of the viewers. While Mother, May I Have a Kidney? still works, more juxtaposition in the tone would have made it far more effective. 

The vibrant visuals that initially seem out of place are actually wonderfully charming. Sprinkled throughout the entirety of this premier episode, those animated visuals help to drive the narrative, creating an interestingly whimsical tone along the way. Mother, May I Have a Kidney? uses comedy as a vehicle, and those exaggerated visuals lend themselves to that comedy. 

I often find it hard to gauge the watchability of a series based on the first episode; and it’s likely fair to say that any show needs more than just one installation to prove its worth. The same feels true of Mother, May I Have a Kidney?, as the many moving parts cause the episode to be a bit too convoluted at times. With that being said, I feel that Mother, May I Have a Kidney? has the potential to blossom into something more cohesive and narratively effective. As long as the series can remain grounded throughout, implementing more instances of drama to balance the comedy, there’s no reason why Mother, May I Have a Kidney? shouldn’t find success as a limited series. 

Directed by Paul Schnee. 

Written by Veronica Reyes-How. 

Starring Doug Plaut, Tina Benko, Darius de Haas, Charlotte Ray Rosenberg, Troy Iwata, etc. 

6.5/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE