Anne Hathaway’s Bold New Role in A24’s ‘Mother Mary’

Anne Hathaway, the Oscar-winning actress known for her versatility and magnetic screen presence, is stepping into a new kind of spotlight with the upcoming A24 film Mother Mary. The movie, directed and written by David Lowery, is already stirring anticipation with its first trailer, and promises a psychological journey through the world of pop stardom, devotion, and personal sacrifice.

A Reunion on the Brink: The Heart of ‘Mother Mary’

Set for release in spring 2026, Mother Mary centers on Hathaway’s character, an iconic global pop star preparing for a high-stakes comeback performance. But this is not your typical celebrity drama. The narrative pivots on Mary’s reunion with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam Anselm, played by the equally formidable Michaela Coel. Their relationship, frayed by years of distance and unresolved wounds, takes center stage as the two navigate the tension and intimacy of a shared past on the eve of Mary’s return to the stage.The trailer, released by A24 and featured on outlets like SciFiNow and Rolling Stone Philippines, introduces viewers to a world where prayer circles mingle with backstage anxiety, and the glittering spectacle of pop performance barely conceals the chaos beneath. Hathaway’s Mary is a vision in white-blonde hair, a halo-shaped headdress, and a shimmering bodysuit—a look that oscillates between glamour and vulnerability, capturing the high-wire act of public persona versus private turmoil.

Devotion, Manipulation, and the Pressures of Fame

“This is not a love story. This is a prayer. Or is it a sacrifice?” the film’s promotional tagline asks, setting the tone for a drama that moves far beyond surface-level showbiz intrigue. Lowery, whose previous works like The Green Knight and A Ghost Story have explored grief, myth, and existential longing, brings a metaphoric touch to the pop world. Mother Mary is framed as a “psychosexual pop thriller,” blending spectacle and personal ruin in equal measure.Hathaway’s character doesn’t just perform on stage; she’s forced to perform clarity and composure in a life that’s spiraling behind the scenes. The movie delves into the devotion demanded of pop icons—the rituals, the expectations, and the manipulations that define their careers. It’s a story of sacrifice, but also of survival, as Mary and Sam confront the wounds that have shaped them.

Music, Performance, and a Star-Studded Cast

Adding to the film’s allure is its original music, written and produced by Jack Antonoff, Charli XCX, and FKA Twigs. Hathaway herself performs these songs, blurring the line between actor and pop star and injecting authenticity into her role. The film’s soundtrack is poised to be as much a character as Mary herself, amplifying the emotional stakes and the sense of spectacle that the story demands.The supporting cast features notable names such as Hunter Schafer, Atheena Frizzell, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay, Alba Baptista, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Sian Clifford, and FKA Twigs—each contributing to the layered world Lowery has built. As revealed in the trailer, Sam’s role isn’t just about costumes; her reunion with Mary is a reckoning, with dialogue hinting at the emotional cost of their relationship: “There may only be one of us left standing when this is over,” Sam warns, to which Mary replies, “I know.”

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Anne Hathaway’s Big Year Ahead

2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Hathaway. Beyond Mother Mary, she’s slated to appear in a string of major releases, including The Odyssey, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Flowervale Street, and Verity. Her choice to take on such a challenging, genre-bending role signals a willingness to push boundaries and redefine her image in the industry.For Hathaway, known for her ability to switch between comedy, drama, and action, Mother Mary offers a new avenue—one where music, psychological tension, and the complexity of female relationships take precedence over easy categorization. The film promises to be more than a comeback story; it’s a meditation on what it costs to live in the public eye, and what it means to find redemption—or ruin—on your own terms.

Lowery’s Vision: From Fantasy to Pop World Ruin

Director David Lowery’s reputation for blending fantasy with psychological depth is well established. In Mother Mary, he moves from the medieval allegory of The Green Knight and the grief-laden metaphors of A Ghost Story to a dazzling, dangerous pop universe. His collaboration with A24, a studio known for risk-taking and genre-defying films, sets high expectations for a visually and emotionally arresting experience.The trailer’s visuals—glittering stages, anxious faces, and surreal prayer rituals—suggest a film that’s as much about inner struggle as it is about outward spectacle. The pop world depicted here is anything but superficial; it’s a battleground for devotion, manipulation, and survival. Hathaway’s transformation, both physical and emotional, anchors the story in a reality that’s as unsettling as it is relatable.

Anne Hathaway’s turn in ‘Mother Mary’ looks set to be one of her most challenging and memorable performances yet, channeling the paradoxes of celebrity and sacrifice with a rawness that few pop-culture films achieve. If the trailer is any indication, the film will spark conversation about the high cost of fame and the fragile lines between prayer, performance, and personal redemption. As 2026 approaches, all eyes are on Hathaway and Lowery to deliver a story that doesn’t just entertain, but resonates deeply with the pressures and promises of modern stardom.