Renowned genre writer and director David Lowery (The Green Knight, A Ghost Story) has once again partnered with A24 with release his latest film, Mother Mary. The film follows a huge pop star, Mother Mary, who reunites with her estranged best friend and former stylist, Sam, hoping Sam will make her an iconic new dress. As old wounds reopen, the pair realize they’ve been haunted by the same ghost of their past.

Lowery is known for crafting films that blend genres and weave metaphors throughout the plot to create something thought-provoking. Mother Mary is another stunning example of that. When the audience first meets Mary and Sam, they’re at very different points of their lives since they last saw each other. Sam has built herself up as a successful designer with a big upcoming runway show. Mary, on the other hand, is at a low point. She doesn’t feel like herself and isn’t sure how she feels about performing anymore, which is why she decided to show up on Sam’s doorstep after years of no contact. At first, the animosity between these two is palpable. As they spend more time together, they realize both of them have been haunted by the same entity, forcing them to confront the downfall of their friendship and what has happened in the years since. It allows for a tense watch that balances relationship drama with the looming oppressive feeling of being haunted by something you can’t quite explain.

If you’re looking for a traditional ghost story or haunted house film, Mother Mary is not the film for you. The haunting in the case of this film is much more a metaphor than an actual spirit. This ghostly apparition represents not only the connection between Mary and Sam, but also emphasizes it’s a connection that can never truly be broken. After over two decades of friendship, they will always be tied together, whether they are on the outs or not. It’s a bond they can either embrace and heal from or one that will continue to haunt them. While the story being told is about the closeness between these two women and having to process the trauma they inflicted on each other, there is one aspect of their story that feels unfinished, or at least too ambiguous. Throughout the film it hints at Sam and Mary having been more than just friends. It ultimately leaves this up to the viewer to decide if Sam and Mary had been together romantically or were just friends. But in 2026 that ends up feeling like too safe of a choice, or even just a cop-out in order to appeal to a broader audience. If anything, the tale of these two strong, broken, fascinating women should have been more overtly queer.

With two absolute powerhouse actors headlining Mother Mary, it’s no wonder it has some of the best performances of the year, so far. Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada, Eileen) stars as Mother Mary herself. This is arguably one of Hathaway’s strongest performances. Much of her character work is more subtle, showing a pop icon at her most damaged and broken, trying to rebuild herself, as well as the closest relationship she ever had. Michaela Cole (I May Destroy You, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) plays the enigmatic Sam Anselm. Sam keeps her feelings close to the chest, often speaking in riddles and metaphors as she plays with Mary’s head. Cole is truly brilliant in this role, delivering profound monologues and able to change her character’s disposition at the drop of a hat. Together, Cole and Hathaway have mesmerizing chemistry. It oscillates between animosity, hate, love, and desire throughout the film, sometimes even in a single scene. They’re phenomenal together, bringing to life two complicated women. Another smaller, surprising performance comes from FKA twigs (The Crow, Honey Boy) as Imogen, a medium who is hired by Mary for a birthday seance. While she’s really only in one scene, FKA twigs gives a memorable performance with incredible physicality.

When watching Mother Mary, those who grew up as theater kids will likely notice how much this film feels like a stage play. Part of this is due to the quiet storytelling with great performances heavily featuring monologues. Yet this can also be attributed to the visual choices. Mother Mary mostly takes place inside a sort of barn/workspace on Sam’s property. The place is heavily shadowed, allowing the filmmaker to shine various spotlights on places or objects to draw the audience’s eye. There is also some interesting, striking editing and camera movement. The film often has flashbacks, many of them being shown from within the barn despite taking place in other countries, allowing the two characters to look on as they narrate what’s happening. It’s a beautiful, play-like way to add context to Sam and Mary’s relationship and their history, while also conveying the passage of time.

With Mary’s high-profile career and Sam being a designer, it’s no wonder the costume design in Mother Mary is absolutely gorgeous. Often evoking religious imagery with lush fabrics and unique structures, costume designer Bina Daigeler (Mulan) really brought the pop star flair to Hathaway’s wardrobe. When it comes to the imagery around the ghost, at first it’s practical, grotesque and visceral before shifting into something more ethereal and soft, like the most perfect pieces of fabric. The imagery relating to the ghost often takes on a vaginal appearance, seeming to further hint at Sam and Mary’s romantic relationship, as well as their deep ties as women. There is some choreography throughout the film, but none quite as memorable as a scene in which Hathaway performs with no music or singing, giving the audience a dance that is raw, feral, and bares the character’s soul. Adding to the visuals is a range of brilliant music. The score composed by Daniel Hart (The Green Knight) adds to the beautiful, haunting feel of the story. Because Mother Mary is about a famous singer, FKA twigs, Charli XCX (Wuthering Heights), and Jack Antonoff (Agatha All Along) teamed up to create amazing original songs for the titular character to sing, performed by Hathaway herself.

Mother Mary is an intimate, bewitching tale of two people haunted by their shattered relationship. Lowery has another compelling film on his hands here. It takes a slow, contemplative approach to telling Mary and Sam’s story. It’s a pace and tone that won’t be for everyone, but those who connect with the characters and their journey back to each other are sure to fall in love with the passion and dysfunction. Both Cole and Hathaway are brilliant, giving performances so complex and layered audiences will immediately be ensnared in their web. The play-like structure and look add a sense of drama to the thick tension, and the original music created for Hathaway to perform is fantastic. Some of the sights and sounds are sure to stick with audiences, leading to fascinating conversations trying to dissect the film. Be sure to witness Mother Mary exclusively in theaters beginning Friday, April 24th.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10