Anne Hathaway is having a monumental year, and her filmography in 2026 proves she's not just a star—she's a force of nature. From the long-awaited The Devil Wears Prada 2 to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and the thrilling dino-horror The End of Oak Street, Hathaway has dominated screens big and small. But it's her smallest, most intimate project that might just be her most powerful work yet: Mother Mary.
Directed by David Lowery (A Ghost Story, The Green Knight), Mother Mary is a psychological drama that flew under the radar during its brief theatrical run in April 2026. Now, it's getting a well-deserved second chance when it lands on HBO Max on August 21. And trust us, this is one you don't want to miss.
A24's Bold Gamble with a Global Icon
A24 has built a reputation for taking risks on challenging, artistically ambitious films, and Mother Mary is no exception. The studio enlisted Hathaway—one of the biggest names in Hollywood—to anchor this unconventional project, and she delivers a performance that's raw, haunting, and utterly captivating.
Hathaway plays Mary, a fictional pop star preparing for a comeback concert. But when her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam Anselm (played with equal brilliance by Michaela Coel), re-enters her life, long-buried wounds resurface. What follows is a tense, emotionally charged exploration of fame, friendship, and the cost of creative partnership.
A Performance That Cuts Deep
Reports from the set revealed that Hathaway broke down in tears while filming an intense scene, and that raw emotion is palpable throughout the film. She doesn't just play Mary—she inhabits her, conveying a lifetime of pain and longing through subtle glances and explosive outbursts. It's a performance that reminds you why she's one of the most respected actors of her generation.
While Mother Mary isn't a direct biopic, Hathaway's portrayal of a burned-out, emotionally fragile superstar will inevitably draw comparisons to real-life icons like Lady Gaga. The film taps into our collective obsession with celebrity culture and the parasocial relationships we form with stars, making it as timely as it is timeless.
Lowery's Unconventional Vision
David Lowery has never been one to play it safe, and Mother Mary is his most audacious work to date. The film defies conventional storytelling, blending reality with fantasy in ways that may leave some viewers puzzled. The marketing promised a concert-heavy spectacle, but the real focus is the thorny, symbiotic relationship between Mary and Sam—a dynamic that's equal parts love and hate, admiration and envy.
The middle stretch of the film can feel deliberately slow, but it's punctuated by breathtaking fantasy sequences, including a stunning silhouette scene behind the concert stage. Lowery's formalist control is on full display, even in the quietest conversations between the two leads.
Why You Should Watch
If you're looking for the charm of The Devil Wears Prada 2 or the spectacle of The Odyssey, Mother Mary might not be your cup of tea. But if you appreciate bold, thought-provoking cinema and want to see Anne Hathaway at the absolute peak of her powers, this is essential viewing. It's a daring study of fame and broken friendships that will linger with you long after the credits roll.
And if you're already in the mood for more Hathaway, check out our look at her upcoming thriller Verity, or dive into her dino-thriller The End of Oak Street, which has been earning rave reviews. For more underrated gems, don't miss our list of overlooked 90s fantasy films.
Mother Mary streams exclusively on HBO Max starting August 21. Set your reminders—this is one performance you'll want to see for yourself.
