The Mother Mary movie is a 2026 musical psychological drama with fantasy and supernatural elements, written and directed by David Lowery. The film stars Anne Hathaway as Mother Mary, a famous pop star who reconnects with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam Anselm, played by Michaela Coel.
The story begins around Mary’s planned comeback performance, but it soon becomes more personal. Her reunion with Sam brings old memories, unresolved feelings and questions about the relationship between a performer and the person who helped create her public image.
Music is a major part of the film, with original songs performed by Hathaway. The movie also moves into fantasy and supernatural territory, giving it a very different tone from a straightforward music drama.
| Attribute | Details |
| Movie Title | Mother Mary |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Genre | Musical psychological drama, fantasy |
| Director | David Lowery |
| Writer | David Lowery |
| Editing | David Lowery |
| Main Cast | Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer |
| Supporting Cast | FKA twigs, Sian Clifford, Kaia Gerber and others |
| Production Companies | A24, Homebird Productions, Sailor Bear Entertainment, Augenschein Filmproduktion |
| Distributor | A24 |
| Release dates | April 17, 2026 (United States)
May 21, 2026 (Germany) |
| Runtime | 112 minutes |
| Cinematography | Andrew Droz Palermo, Rina Yang |
| Music | Daniel Hart |
| Budget | $20 million |
What Is Mother Mary Movie About?
Mother Mary follows a hugely successful pop star who is preparing to return to the stage. Her comeback should be a major career moment, but Mary has another problem to deal with. She reconnects with Sam Anselm, a costume designer who was once her closest friend.
Sam was not simply someone who worked on Mary’s clothes. She helped shape the image that made Mary recognizable to the public. Their friendship eventually fell apart, leaving both women with unresolved feelings about what happened between them.
When Mary asks Sam to create a dress for her comeback performance, they have a reason to spend time together again. That reunion brings their past back into focus. The film uses their relationship to look at fame, artistic identity, friendship and the difference between a celebrity’s public image and private life.
As the story continues, the film becomes stranger and more symbolic. Music, fashion and supernatural imagery become part of the way Mary’s emotional state is presented.
Mother Mary Movie Cast and Characters
The Mother Mary movie cast is one of its major attractions, with Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel leading the film.
Anne Hathaway as Mother Mary
Anne Hathaway plays the fictional pop star Mother Mary. The role combines acting with musical performance because Hathaway performs the original songs created for Mary’s fictional career. Mary is presented as a major celebrity who has spent years building a recognizable public identity. Her return to the stage forces her to deal with parts of her past that she had left behind.
Michaela Coel as Sam Anselm
Michaela Coel plays Sam Anselm, Mary’s former best friend and costume designer. Sam has a unique connection to Mary because she understands both the performer and the person behind the public image. Her return to Mary’s life becomes the emotional center of the story.
Hunter Schafer as Hilda
Hunter Schafer plays Hilda, another important character within Mary’s world.
Other Cast Members
The supporting cast includes:
- Sian Clifford as Jade
- Atheena Frizzell as Emily
- FKA twigs as Imogen
- Jessica Brown Findlay as Tessa
- Kaia Gerber as Nikki
- Alba Baptista as Miel Contrera
- Isaura Barbé-Brown as Kyla
The cast also reflects the film’s connection to music and fashion, with several performers from outside traditional Hollywood acting appearing alongside the main stars.
Mother Mary Release Date and Movie Details
Mother Mary received a limited U.S. theatrical release on April 17, 2026, before expanding to a wider release on April 24, 2026. David Lowery wrote and directed the film. He is also credited with editing it, while Andrew Droz Palermo and Rina Yang handled cinematography.
The movie runs for approximately 111 minutes and is presented in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Its original language is English. The film was produced through companies including A24, Homebird Productions, Sailor Bear Entertainment and Augenschein Filmproduktion.
Mother Mary Box Office Collection and Budget
Mother Mary was made on a reported budget of around $20 million. Its theatrical performance was modest compared with that production cost. Current tracking puts its worldwide box office at roughly $3 million, with around $2.57 million coming from the U.S. and Canada.
| Box Office Detail | Collection |
| Production Budget | $20 million |
| Worldwide Collection | $3 million |
| Opening Weekend | $168,063 |
The figures make the film a commercial disappointment in theaters. However, its home release gives the movie another opportunity to reach viewers who did not see it during its theatrical run.
Mother Mary Soundtrack and Songs
Music is one of the defining parts of the film. Hathaway performs as Mother Mary, giving the fictional pop star a complete musical identity. The soundtrack album is titled Mother Mary: Greatest Hits and contains seven original songs.
The songs include:
- “Holy Spirit”
- “Burial”
- “My Mouth Is Lonely for You”
- “Holy Spirit 2”
- “Dark Cradle”
- “Blue Flame”
- “Cut Ties”
Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX worked on the original music, while FKA twigs also contributed. Daniel Hart composed the film’s score. The music is closely connected to Mary’s character rather than simply being used between scenes. It helps establish her career as a major pop performer and supports the emotional side of the story.
Is Mother Mary Based on a True Story?
No. Mother Mary is a fictional pop star. The film is not a biography of Lady Gaga, Madonna or another specific real-life singer. Viewers may notice similarities to different aspects of modern pop culture, but Mary is an original character.
The movie uses her fictional career to examine fame, public image, artistic relationships and the personal cost of becoming a major celebrity.
Mother Mary Ending Explained: Spoilers Ahead
The ending becomes much more symbolic than the earlier part of the film. Mary’s relationship with Sam remains at the center of the final act. The clothing Sam creates and the music Mary performs become ways of expressing feelings that the two characters struggle to communicate directly.
One important detail is the song “Spooky Action.” Mary says the song was written for Sam, but the film does not present it as a normal musical performance.
The dress Sam creates effectively becomes part of how the song is represented. This connects Sam’s work as a costume designer with Mary’s identity as a performer.
The ending deliberately leaves some details open to interpretation. Rather than explaining everything literally, the film uses performance, imagery and fantasy to show the emotional connection between the two women.
Where to Watch Mother Mary
Mother Mary moved to home viewing after its theatrical release. Current listings show the film on HBO Max in the United States, along with digital rental and purchase options. Streaming availability can differ significantly by country.
For Indian viewers, availability should be checked through local streaming and digital platforms because the movie may not appear on the same services available in the U.S.
Mother Mary Reviews and Ratings
The film has received a mixed response from critics and viewers. Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel have generally been among the most discussed parts of the movie. The music, visual style and unusual approach have also received attention.
At the same time, the film’s later sections may not work for everyone. Its storytelling becomes more abstract and supernatural, moving away from a straightforward celebrity drama. IMDb currently lists the movie at around 5.4/10 from roughly 10,000 ratings. Rotten Tomatoes currently shows a 69% Tomatometer score based on 204 reviews and a 60% audience score from more than 250 verified ratings. These numbers suggest that Mother Mary has produced a fairly divided response.
Is Mother Mary Worth Watching?
If you enjoy music-focused dramas, fantasy elements and character-driven stories, Mother Mary is worth considering. The film’s biggest strengths are its central performances, original music and the relationship between Mary and Sam.
However, it is not a conventional pop-star biography. The story becomes increasingly symbolic as it progresses, so viewers looking for a simple beginning-to-end celebrity story may find it unusual.
Wrapping Up
The mother mary movie is more than a story about a pop star’s comeback. It combines music, drama, fantasy and psychological elements with the complicated relationship between Mary and Sam.
With Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel in the lead roles, original music from several major artists and David Lowery directing, the film has plenty of details for viewers interested in music-focused cinema.
Its modest theatrical box office and divided reviews show that it is not a conventional mainstream hit. Still, its soundtrack, cast, visual style and unusual approach give it a distinct place among 2026 releases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When was Mother Mary released?
Mother Mary was released in select U.S. theaters on April 17, 2026, followed by a wider theatrical release on April 24, 2026.
Q2. Where can I watch Mother Mary?
The movie is available through streaming and digital platforms in some regions, including HBO Max in the U.S. Availability varies by country.
Q3. Is Mother Mary based on a true story?
No. Mother Mary is a fictional story about a pop star and her former best friend. The main character is not a direct portrayal of a real singer.
Q4. Who plays Mother Mary in the movie?
Anne Hathaway plays Mother Mary, while Michaela Coel portrays Sam Anselm, her former best friend and costume designer.
Q5. What happens at the end of Mother Mary?
The ending becomes more symbolic and surreal, focusing on Mary’s relationship with Sam and the meaning behind Sam’s final creation for her.