Mother Mary, the psychological musical thriller starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, became available to stream on HBO Max on Friday, August 21, 2026.
The film arrived on the subscription platform four months after its initial debut in United States movie theaters on April 17, 2026. Viewers can also rent or purchase the feature through Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
Written and directed by David Lowery, the 112-minute drama explores the intense relationship between an iconic pop superstar undergoing a personal crisis and her former friend and fashion designer, Sam Anselm. The story crosses into psychological horror, focusing on self-destruction and the heavy price of fame while using pop music and fashion design to examine human dilemmas.
Hathaway is an Academy Award-winning actress known for Les Miserables, while Coel is a BAFTA and Emmy Award winner recognized for I May Destroy You. Director Lowery previously helmed features including The Green Knight and A Ghost Story. HBO Max is the flagship streaming service operated by Warner Bros. Discovery.
Despite receiving mixed to positive reviews from film critics, the project experienced a difficult box office run. The movie grossed only 3 million dollars globally against a production budget of 20 million dollars.
Plot details and production background
According to the official synopsis released by distributor A24, the plot centers on pop star Mother Mary, played by Hathaway, who reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer Sam Anselm, played by Coel, on the eve of a major comeback performance.
Following a collapse on stage, Mary is forced to deal with widespread public rumors concerning a potential suicide attempt. Overwhelmed by the situation, she leaves Los Angeles to take refuge in the English countryside a few days before her return concert. In the middle of her ongoing personal crisis, she desperately seeks out the designer responsible for creating her signature stage identity.
A24 is an independent American entertainment company known for producing distinctive auteur-driven films, including Everything Everywhere All at Once and Midsommar. Los Angeles is a major city in Southern California long established as the center of the global film and television industry.
Critical reception and ensemble cast
Critical reaction to the feature was divided but generally favorable. Some reviewers described the film as a mind-bending cinematic experience that blends Lady Gaga-style pop star drama with horror atmosphere reminiscent of The Exorcist. However, other commentators noted that the story loses its direction during its final third.
The ensemble cast features Hunter Schafer as Hilda, FKA Twigs as Imogen, Sian Clifford as Jade, and Atheena Frizzell as Emily. The production also stars Isaura Barbe-Brown as Kyla, Jessica Brown Findlay as Tessa, Kaia Gerber as Nikki, and Alba Baptista, also credited as Alba Bautista, as Miel Contrera.
