David Lowery's psychological thriller "Mother Mary," starring Anne Hathaway, is now available for streaming on HBO Max. The film, which quietly debuted in theaters in April, showcases Hathaway in a role lauded as one of her best, a stark contrast to her blockbuster appearances in 2026.
"Mother Mary" centers on Mary, a pop star experiencing an emotional crisis. Days before a significant comeback performance, she seeks out her former costume designer and close friend, Sam Anselm, played by Michaela Coel, at her London home. Despite years of estrangement, their reunion rekindles a volatile creative partnership as Mary requests Sam design her performance attire.
The narrative unfolds with a theatrical sensibility, largely within Sam's workshop, where the two leads engage in intense dialogue. These intimate scenes are punctuated by flashbacks and concert sequences, highlighting Hathaway's portrayal of a pop icon maintaining a carefully constructed public image while privately struggling with exhaustion and complex personal relationships. Her interactions with Sam reveal a more vulnerable, unvarnished side as she attempts to reconnect with someone unwilling to immediately reciprocate.
Hathaway's performance has been singled out, offering a different dimension from her more prominent roles of the year. The film explores themes of creative partnerships, the sacrifices they entail, and the process of letting go, all framed within a unique approach to the ghost story genre.
Director Lowery, known for his diverse genre work including "The Green Knight," imbues "Mother Mary" with his signature style, characterized by subtle details and a preference for practical effects. The film's depiction of the supernatural element, a manifestation of grief and creative longing, is both abstract and impactful. Lowery collaborated with artist Daniel Wurtzel to visualize the ghost, which appears in various forms, from fabric to light, influencing the emotional landscape of the story without explicit definition.
"Mother Mary" is described as a multifaceted contemplation on artistic collaboration, the aftermath of broken relationships, and the act of moving on. Hathaway's role in the film offers a departure from her recent high-profile successes, providing audiences with an opportunity to see her performance in a more intimate and dramatic register. The film is now streaming on HBO Max.