The Second Mother (Portuguese: Que Horas Ela Volta?) is a 2015 Brazilian comedy-drama that offers a subtle yet powerful examination of class and family dynamics. Directed by Anna Muylaert, the film follows Val, a dedicated live-in housekeeper in São Paulo who has spent years caring for a wealthy family's home while her own daughter, Jéssica, was raised by relatives. Their carefully maintained world is disrupted when Jéssica arrives to take a university entrance exam, challenging the unspoken social hierarchies with her confident, modern demeanor.

Regina Casé delivers a remarkable, nuanced performance as Val, capturing her quiet dignity and internal conflict as she navigates her dual roles as a surrogate mother to her employer's son and a distant biological mother. The film's strength lies in its observational, character-driven approach, using the confined space of the home to explore deep-seated inequalities with both humor and heartache. Muylaert's direction is precise and empathetic, avoiding melodrama while building palpable tension through everyday interactions.

Viewers should watch The Second Mother for its intelligent social commentary and superb acting. It's a universally resonant story about sacrifice, belonging, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, set against the backdrop of Brazil's class divisions. The film's critical acclaim, including awards at Sundance and Berlin, is well-deserved, making it essential viewing for fans of international cinema and humanistic drama.