Anne Hathaway Stars as Pop Icon in A24’s Mother Mary

Anne Hathaway is stepping into a new professional territory as a pop icon in the A24 film Mother Mary, which is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States on April 17, 2026. To prepare for the role of a mega-pop star, Hathaway has looked toward the techniques and performance style of Beyoncé to help her develop the necessary swag for the character’s musical delivery.

While Hathaway has a two-decade career spanning numerous roles and has experience in musical theatre, this project marks a departure from her usual musical inclinations. Outside of her stage work, her notable vocal performances have included a cover of Queen’s Somebody to Love, but Mother Mary requires her to embody the persona of a global musical superstar.

Plot and Production Details

Written and directed by David Lowery, Mother Mary is described as a psychological drama-thriller. The narrative centers on the complex relationship between pop singer Mary and fashion designer Sam Anselm, played by Michaela Coel. The two were formerly best friends, but became estranged as Mary’s fame and fortune grew.

View this post on Instagram about Mother Mary, Mary

The plot focuses on the reunion of the two women on the eve of Mary’s comeback performance, triggered by Mary’s need for a dress for her new tour. Their reunion brings long-buried wounds to the surface, exploring a psychosexual affair and the confrontation of past mistakes between two artistic souls.

The film was co-financed by A24, Topic Studios, and IPR.VC, with filming taking place in Germany starting in May 2023. The final cut of the film has a running time of 112 minutes.

Artistic Influences and Direction

Director David Lowery has drawn from his own personal history and interests to shape the film. The project is described as an exploration of spirituality and reawakening, reflecting Lowery’s own Catholic background and his affinity for edgy musical performances.

In terms of musical inspiration, the character of Mother Mary is envisioned as a Madonna-style icon. The film’s spirit is noted to be closer to Lowery’s more esoteric works, such as A Ghost Story and The Green Knight, rather than his more traditional Disney projects like Peter Pan & Wendy.

Lowery indicated that the film originated as a one-location script heavily reliant on dialogue, functioning essentially as a two-hander between Hathaway, and Coel.

Cast and Release Schedule

Alongside Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, the film features an ensemble cast including:

• Hunter Schafer as Hilda
• FKA Twigs
• Atheena Frizzell as Emily
• Kaia Gerber
• Jessica Brown Findlay as Tessa
• Isaura Barbé-Brown as Kyla
• Alba Baptista
• Sian Clifford as Jade

Following its limited theatrical debut on April 17, 2026, Mother Mary is scheduled to open wide in theaters on April 24, 2026.