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A24’s Mother Mary Opens Nationwide to Praise for Craft and Questions on Clarity

Early reviews spotlight standout craft, with many calling the symbolism overworked.

Overview

  • The film, written and directed by David Lowery, expands in the United States and the United Kingdom on Friday, April 24, following a limited release.
  • The story centers on a pop star who seeks a comeback dress from her estranged designer, creating an intimate two-hander led by Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel.
  • Anne Hathaway performs the film’s songs after years of preparation that included months of eight-hour dance days and a year spent shaping the character’s singing voice.
  • Charli XCX, Jack Antonoff and FKA Twigs created new music for the soundtrack, and Hathaway sings seven tracks on the companion album Mother Mary: Greatest Hits.
  • Critics widely praise the acting, music, costumes and cinematography, while many say dense metaphors and a red, fabric-like specter blur the story’s clarity and slow its pace.