"Mother Mary" (2026) - A Movie Review

How do we make your voice with the costumes?

“Mother Mary” is a 2026 thriller. Mother Mary is an iconic pop star. On the eve of her comeback concert, she meets with Sam Anselm, her former best friend and costume designer, to discuss an outfit that will make the world talk. 

This movie wasn’t what I expected, but that’s what movies are all about. “Mother Mary” is about a fashion-fueled feud between two women. But then it takes a dark, spiritual turn that doesn’t fit the film’s tone. 

“Mother Mary” stars Anne Hathaway (Mary) and Michaela Cole (Sam). The pair have a strong dynamic, curating an ambiguous relationship. It’s implied the women had to put it in the shadows because of Mary’s stardom. They still have to work together for this costume.

Hathaway has made astonishing and versatile choices in her three-decade-long acting career. Mother Mary is something I have never seen Hathaway do. Mother Mary is a singer who has trouble guiding her own way, but puts on a facade that she is strong-willed. 

Hathaway did extensive dance training for the role, which she said left her legs numb. In one scene, Hathaway performs an impressive dance.

So far, I have only watched Cole in one other film, “The Christophers” (2025). I look forward to seeing more of her work. Because of Sam’s private nature, Cole kept her emotions repressed for a more ambiguous effect. Like Hathaway, Cole spent her time researching costumes to make her role authentic. 

Cole and Hathaway could have been the only stars, but a few supporting characters join the cast. Credits include Hunter Schafer, Sian Clifford, Jessica Brown Findlay, Kaia Gerber, Taylor Sieve, and more. 

David Lowery immediately took interest in the script when he first read it. Lowery is best known for his direction on “A Ghost Story” and “Pete’s Dragon” (2016). He let the actresses guide their performances and bring their own interpretations to the roles. 

Filming transpired over 14 months. Lowery's immersive visual layers enhance the film with costuming, cinematography, lighting, and production design. 

Fashion plays an integral role in “Mother Mary.” Costume designer Bina Daigeler created 5 to 6 outfits for the film, while Iris van Herpen, a couture designer, created the climactic dress. Daigeler also made a mood board to track the evolution of Mary’s dresses. Color is an integral detail in each costume. 

(Off-topic, but kind of a coincidence that one of Hathaway’s characters has to relearn the fashion world.)

For most of the film, it’s the women talking in Sam’s loft, which was custom-built by Di Mottola. It was originally set to be in this one location the entire time. Primary filming locations were North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and London, England. Did you know that in Mother Mary’s concert scenes, Hathaway was performing in front of 400 extras at London’s Hyde Park? 

For “Mother Mary,” Lowery combines psychological drama with the pop star world. Most of the film is the women talking about their lives and costumes. It’s an intriguing story that derails into a weird religious cult. It should have remained a costume-sabotage story. 

Rather than focusing the psychological conflict between the women, the supernatural and religious elements feel disconnected from the original premise, weakening the tension that had been building between the characters. The cinematography and special effects still look incredible for certain character designs. 

Movies like these end up in the museum of underrated gems. Viewers may not like its slow pace, but every film is worth checking out. The film has lingered in my mind since watching it. Check out “Mother Mary,” which is streaming on HBO.