My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay

Release Date: June 27, 2025 on HBO/Max
Director & Narrator: Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay, best known as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, makes her feature directorial debut with this intimate documentary exploring her mother, iconic blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield, who died in a 1967 car crash when Mariska was just three  Combining family interviews, home movies, and archival footage, the film seeks to reconcile Mansfield’s public persona with her private self—and helps Mariska fill the emotional void left by her untimely passing 

• Powerful archival material: The use of candid home footage, rare photos, and 1950s TV clips paints a more human version of Jayne—far beyond her sex-symbol image 

• Cathartic family conversation: Interviews with her siblings reveal touching moments—like holding their mother’s Golden Globe—bringing the family’s grief and longing into sharp focus 

• A respectful revision: The film shifts the narrative from gimmick to empathy, showing Mansfield’s intelligence, multilingual talent, and maternal love—qualities often overshadowed in tabloid coverage 

• Unsteady pacing: Some sections meander with archival digressions before gaining emotional momentum 

• Late-blooming revelations: The major family secret is disclosed late, which may feel like a delayed emotional payoff

• Metacritic: “Generally favorable” with a 73 score 

• Praise for vulnerability and truth: Critics applaud Mariska's emotional courage and sincerity—Time notes her “unruly secrets reflect the uncomfortable truths hidden in our own histories” 

• Strong reviews: RogerEbert.com highlights her openness and the empathy she extends toward family pain 

• Emotional resonance: The Washington Post describes a “poignant reckoning” as the film captures the bonds between Mariska and her siblings .

My Mom Jayne transcends a typical celebrity biography—it’s a courageous act of personal excavation, a daughter’s quest to reclaim her mother’s full humanity. The revelation of her biological father and familial conversations deepen the emotional impact, making it a thoughtful tribute rather than tabloid salvage.

Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10

• Skip, only if you dislike personal memoir-style narratives or prefer conventional celebrity profiles.