Mother Mary: Anne Hathaway & Michaela Coel Face Off in A24's Psychosexual Pop Epic

The first trailer for Mother Mary has arrived, and it's already setting the film world ablaze. Directed by David Lowery (The Green Knight, A Ghost Story), this highly anticipated drama features Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel in a high-stakes battle of wits and wills. Described as a "psychosexual pop thriller," the film promises a bold exploration of art, identity, and toxic relationships.

The Premise: A Pop Star's Desperate Reunion

Hathaway plays a globally renowned pop star who abandons her tour mid-tour due to a profound existential crisis. In her vulnerable state, she seeks out her estranged former collaborator and fashion designer, Sam (Coel), to help rebuild her fractured public image. Their reunion sparks an intense, volatile dynamic as they collaborate on creating a single, defining dress that will either salvage or destroy both their careers.

Director David Lowery's Vision

Lowery has called Mother Mary a "weird, weird film" that draws inspiration from unexpected sources. He's compared the filmmaking process to Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula and even "shooting Apocalypse Now." In a recent statement, Lowery explained: "It is a movie I am sure will provoke a lot of strong feelings, in every possible direction. It feels very true to who I am, and very close to me, but it is also consistently surprising me in ways that I did not anticipate."

"What struck me right away, reading the script, is that you can't 'perform' Mother Mary. If I got the part, I would have to become material David could craft with."
— Anne Hathaway, via Vogue

The Powerhouse Cast and Their Dynamic

The chemistry between Hathaway and Coel is electric from the first frame. Hathaway underwent a radical transformation for her role, describing it as requiring her to "submit to being a beginner" and shed her ego. Coel, in turn, praised Hathaway's bravery: "The physicality she had to learn in preparation for this job—that requires a lot of strength. Gallons and tons." The film also features an ensemble cast including Hunter Schafer, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Ian McKellen.

A Sonic Revolution: The Soundtrack

Mother Mary isn't just a visual spectacle—it's aural art. The original score features new music from pop royalty Charli xcx, Grammy winner Jack Antonoff, and FKA twigs, who also appears in the film. Hathaway contributes her own vocals to several tracks, adding an authentic layer to the pop-star narrative. This powerhouse trio promises a soundtrack as innovative and boundary-pushing as the film itself.

Release Date and What to Expect

After beginning production in Germany in May 2023, Mother Mary is slated for theatrical release in April 2026. The film arrives at a pivotal moment for both leads: Hathaway will also star in The Devil Wears Prada 2, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and Colleen Hoover's Verity, while Coel returns to the small screen with her highly anticipated follow-up to I May Destroy You in First Day on Earth.

As the trailer drops, one thing is certain: Mother Mary is shaping up to be a provocative, genre-defining experience that will challenge audiences as much as it entertains them. With A24's backing and Lowery's singular vision, this psychosexual pop thriller is poised to become one of 2026's most talked-about cultural events.