Not all cinematic mothers are monsters. Some are simply mortal. Terms of Endearment flips the script: the son, Tommy, is a peripheral figure to the central mother-daughter story. But his quiet devastation during Aurora’s death scene is a reminder that sons grieve differently—often silently, often too late.

Another classic example is the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde, which explores the intricate and often toxic relationship between a mother, Lady Victoria Wotton, and her son, Dorian Gray. The novel critiques the societal expectations placed on mothers and sons, highlighting the ways in which these expectations can create tension and conflict within their relationship.