Dallas Filmmaker David Lowery's 'Mother Mary' Explores Art, Friendship and Ghosts

The poetic, ghostly drama starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel had its post-production work completed in Lowery's hometown of Dallas.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:51pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass reflecting a dazzling array of light, conveying the emotional intensity and visual poetry of the film 'Mother Mary'.The haunting, hallucinatory visual style of 'Mother Mary' reflects the unresolved pain and transformative power of the film's exploration of art and friendship.Dallas Today

Dallas filmmaker David Lowery returns with the poetic, ghostly drama 'Mother Mary,' starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel as a pop star and her estranged best friend whose reunion unearths a decade of buried wounds. The film, which had its post-production work completed in Lowery's hometown of Dallas, operates as an intoxicating exploration of art, memory and the haunting nature of fractured friendships.

Why it matters

Lowery's films have a distinctly earthy feel, with a grounded connection to his hometown of Dallas that has never wavered, even as he's directed major Hollywood features. 'Mother Mary' continues this tradition, with the post-production work, including the sound mix, being completed right in Lowery's Dallas home, reflecting the city's influence on his artistry.

The details

In 'Mother Mary,' Hathaway plays an iconic pop star who reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam Anselm (Coel), on the eve of a massive comeback performance. The film rejects the standard reunion drama format, instead demanding the audience to absorb its immense power through poetic, rhythmic dialogue that Hathaway and Coel deliver with brilliance. Lowery matches this musical language with the film's editing and sound design, where background noises inform the characters' inner workings, while the visual narrative remains fiercely protected.

  • The post-production for 'Mother Mary' ran through Dallas.
  • The sound mix for the film was completed right inside Lowery's Dallas home.

The players

David Lowery

A Dallas filmmaker known for his distinctly earthy feel and grounded connection to his hometown, even as he directs major Hollywood features.

Anne Hathaway

An acclaimed actress who stars as the iconic pop star Mother Mary in Lowery's latest film.

Michaela Coel

A talented actress who plays Sam Anselm, Mother Mary's estranged best friend and former costume designer.

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What they’re saying

“Dallas is the place I learned how to make movies. When I am not able to make movies in Dallas, I still finish them here.”

— David Lowery, Filmmaker

“This movie was going to live and die by its dialogue and the delivery of that dialogue. I wanted to make a movie that was restricted to language, where language was front and center.”

— David Lowery, Filmmaker

What’s next

The film is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, where it is expected to generate significant buzz and critical acclaim.

The takeaway

David Lowery's 'Mother Mary' is a triumph of mood, music and dialogue, showcasing the Dallas filmmaker's ability to capture the vast, cosmic expanse of human emotion and ground it in the earthy, visceral reality of two people simply talking to one another. The film's strong connection to Lowery's hometown of Dallas further cements the city's reputation as a hub for exceptional cinematic storytelling.