David Lowery's Mother Mary is a chamber piece built almost entirely on the tension between Anne Hathaway's iconic pop star and Michaela Coel's estranged costume designer. Hathaway is a revelation — transforming into a full stadium-level pop diva in a way that draws comparisons to Gaga, Madonna, and Beyoncé all at once. Coel matches her beat for beat, and the two of them are genuinely fighting for ownership of every scene.

The first half is tight and electric. The script loses some steam heading into the third act, but the music — written by Charli XCX and Jack Antonoff — is a genuine standout, and the performance sequences are beautifully shot. Mixed positive overall, but Hathaway is awards-worthy. Production design, costume design, and Best Original Song all feel like real possibilities.