Cinema Scholars reviews David Lowery’s new music thriller Mother Mary, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. The film co-stars FKA Twigs, Kaia Gerber, and Jessica Brown Findlay. Mother Mary will be released in theaters everywhere on April 24, 2026.
Introduction
Like most girls, I grew up attending weekend sleepovers with friends from school, cheerleading, clubs, and so on. After the prerequisite hair/makeup/fashion session, and maybe a little lip-syncing of favorite songs, things would inevitably get a little spooky. Soon, someone would break out the Ouija board, and it was on.
From here, the wholesome slumber party would devolve into candlelit bathroom chants of “Bloody Mary Come To Me” and/or the levitation thriller “Light As A Feather, Stiff As A Board.” That’s right. The supernatural has long been a staple in the teenage girl’s experience.
Which brings me to David Lowery’s latest haunting thriller Mother Mary, a spooky ode to pop stardom, making amends, and the female bond. With a compelling non-linear framework, both vibrant and utilitarian production design, and commanding performances, Mother Mary is the ultimate fever dream sleepover.
Synopsis
Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway) is an international pop superstar with the world in the palm of her hand it would seem. But in reality, she has been plagued by injuries following a freak accident during one of her performances. Though she’s on the comeback trail, her creative spark is zapped. In a frenzy, she shows up unannounced at the home/workshop of her former friend and costume designer Sam for help.
The two clearly haven’t spoken in a while, and Sam’s cold, casual reception hints at a tumultuous past. Mary insists that her current looks are uninspired and she is there solely for a dress that truly suits her. But it turns out that returning to her estranged friend for a night of harrowing revelation and restorative redemption is what she truly needs. As it becomes apparent that Mary’s affliction is much more than pop-star burnout, she and Sam discover that their bond runs far deeper than either of them could ever imagine.
Discussion
Lowery’s use of a non-linear storyline makes Mother Mary intriguing from the get-go. Rather than spell everything out chronologically, the narrative begins with questions and slowly fills in the answers through flashbacks and discourse. This creates a sense of mystery, danger, and curiosity that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Why are the longtime friends estranged, and why is Sam still willing to help her former confidante? Is Mary at a creative crossroads, or is this a manifestation of her guilt over their lost friendship? What really happened during that onstage accident? Will Sam come through with the ultimate costume for the pop goddess? Lowery takes his sweet, visually-stunning time letting the secrets unfold with a high-art meets pop-art vibe.
Sprinkled throughout the heavy drama, interludes of Mother Mary arena performances are entrancing. With songs written by real-life songsmiths like Charli XCX and hitmaker Jack Antonoff, the sequences and the Mother Mary persona are exhilarating yet familiar. Like if Lady GaGa and St. Vincent had a baby pop icon.
Production Design
Though Mother Mary is unabashedly cinematic with its visual cues and metaphors, the film also has an undeniable stage sensibility. One could almost imagine it as a theatrical production with a design that shifts from the vibrant spectacle of the performance flashbacks to the more rough-hewn feel of Sam’s cavernous workshop. A space that is shadowy and almost primitive feeling with racks of stunning fabric next to unnerving faceless mannequins.
The juxtaposition of visual vibes helps illustrate questions of what is real and what is not real. Or what matters and what doesn’t. The dimness of their real-time venue also serves as a sharp contrast to the splashes of color in the dazzling costumes that are revisited.
But none pops so much as the film’s signature color red. Somehow menacing and attractive at the same time, the hue symbolizes so much. The color of blood, scarlet shame, rosy romance, and even a possession of sorts. Lowery utilizes the color theme as well as some interesting practical effects to elicit a creepy whimsy that feels visceral and real.
Performances
Anne Hathaway is stunning as the beleaguered Mother Mary. Her character’s suffering is practically etched on her face as she comes to terms with the things she tries to explain and accepts the things she can’t. In addition to the emotional workout, Hathaway also delivers a physical performance that includes a beautifully tortured (silent!) dance sequence and an artful exorcism of sorts.
Not to mention the concert sequences where Hathaway struts the stage with the confidence of Katy or Taylor. It almost makes you wonder if the sliding doors of life brought her an Oscar instead of pop-music adoration. Whatever the case, Hathaway is a natural as the tormented, enigmatic superstar.
Michaela Coel gives an incredible performance as premiere designer Sam Anselm. The cool yet calculating demeanor she brings to her character is riveting. But beneath the scorned ego facade and esteemed artiste attitude, Coel reveals a hint of empathy that makes Sam’s plight relatable nonetheless. Special kudos go to FKA twigs in a brief but powerful supporting performance. Coming in hot with her usual charisma, twigs double-downs with an engrossing physical display as well as original songs in the film.
Further Analysis
Lowery definitely swings big with Mother Mary. It’s an arthouse thriller with pop horror tendencies. From themes like idol worship and martyrdom to messianic wounds, Mother Mary has plenty to unpack in the symbolism department. Lowery smartly keeps any religious connotations vague, going for more of a Joan of Arc thematic touchstone rather than the obvious reference the title insinuates.
All in all, Mother Mary is a hypnotic rock opera about the deep bond of female friendship. It fits somewhere in the pantheon among pop-rock sagas like Vox Lux, The Moment, and (dare I say!) Smile 2. In Mother Mary, however, not only do we get to see the angelic Anne Hathaway as a musical icon, but we get the pleasure of witnessing an endless parade of wearable artwork. Plus a mystifying supernatural element that mirrors the real-life drama.
While casual moviegoers might get lost in all the imagery and subtext, cinephiles will be considering the pageantry and substance of Mother Mary long after the credits roll.
Mother Mary opens in theaters everywhere on April 24.
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