Anne Hathaway's 'Mother Mary' Panned as 'Unholy Fiasco'

The Oscar winner's latest film with Michaela Coel is an 'ungodly mess' of 'pretentiousness' and 'excessive emoting', according to critics.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:41pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of shimmering, glittering sequins reflecting dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the glossy veneer of Mother Mary's high-fashion aesthetic.The lavish textures and lighting of Mother Mary's high-fashion aesthetic fail to distract from the film's hollow core, according to critics.Los Angeles Today

Mother Mary, a dramatic two-hander from director David Lowery starring Anne Hathaway as a pop star reuniting with her estranged designer and best friend (Michaela Coel), has been panned by critics as an 'ungodly mess' filled with 'pretentiousness' and 'excessive emoting'. The film's overly symbolic and self-conscious approach is said to undermine the performances of its two leads, with Hathaway's portrayal of the troubled singer described as 'borderline intolerable'.

Why it matters

Hathaway and Coel are both acclaimed actors, and their pairing in an arthouse drama from an acclaimed director like Lowery had generated significant buzz. However, the film's apparent failure to connect with critics raises questions about the challenges of balancing artistic ambition with engaging storytelling in the entertainment industry.

The details

Mother Mary follows pop icon Mother Mary (Hathaway) as she unexpectedly visits the rural English base of operations of her former creative partner and best friend, fashion designer Sam Anselm (Coel). The two engage in a tense, nearly two-hour confrontation, with their charged history and unresolved issues hovering over the proceedings. The film incorporates elements of religiosity and the supernatural, but critics say these 'quasi-supernatural' and 'heavily symbolic' developments only serve to make the film 'insufferable'.

  • The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2026.
  • Mother Mary is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on June 6, 2026.

The players

Anne Hathaway

An Academy Award-winning actress known for roles in films like Les Misérables, The Devil Wears Prada, and Interstellar.

Michaela Coel

A BAFTA-winning actress and writer who created and starred in the acclaimed HBO series I May Destroy You.

David Lowery

The director of Mother Mary, known for films like A Ghost Story, The Green Knight, and Pete's Dragon.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Mother Mary is an ungodly mess—albeit one that's unlike any you've seen before.”

— Nick Schager, Film Critic

“If Mary is reasonably captivating on stage, she's borderline intolerable in the company of Sam, her countenance constantly on the verge of tears and her speech drawn... out... to... the... point... of... parody.”

— Nick Schager, Film Critic

What’s next

Mother Mary is scheduled to have its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2026, where it will likely face further scrutiny from critics and audiences.

The takeaway

The poor critical reception of Mother Mary, despite the involvement of acclaimed talents like Hathaway, Coel, and Lowery, underscores the challenges of balancing artistic ambition with engaging storytelling in the entertainment industry. The film's apparent failure to connect with critics raises questions about the delicate line between profound and pretentious that filmmakers must navigate.