Review: David Lowery’s ‘Mother Mary’ Haunts with Taylor Swift-Inspired Horror
David Lowery’s new A24 psychological horror film, Mother Mary, centers on a reclusive pop star, played by Anne Hathaway, who attempts a comeback after a career-ending accident fifteen years prior. The narrative explores her complex, intense relationship with former designer and best friend Sam Anselm, portrayed by Michaela Coel. Lowery draws inspiration from Taylor Swift’s Reputation tour documentary, yet the protagonist remains an icy, regal figure distinct from Swift’s warm persona. The film utilizes surreal imagery, including a haunting crimson fabric spirit, to symbolize grief and connection. Concert scenes, featuring music by Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX, are staged in darkened, cathedral-like settings to emphasize the isolation of fame. While the visual storytelling effectively conveys the brutal grind of touring through metaphorical montages, the review notes that the character’s backstory lacks balance regarding Sam’s perspective. The movie blends high-Gothic iconography with psychological drama, offering a critique of celebrity culture through a lens of supernatural unease and emotional depletion.
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Review: David Lowery’s ‘Mother Mary’ Haunts with Taylor Swift-Inspired Horror
David Lowery’s new A24 psychological horror film, Mother Mary, centers on a reclusive pop star, played by Anne Hathaway, who attempts a comeback after a career-ending accident fifteen years prior. The narrative explores her complex, intense relationship with former designer and best friend Sam Anselm, portrayed by Michaela Coel. Lowery draws inspiration from Taylor Swift’s Reputation tour documentary, yet the protagonist remains an icy, regal figure distinct from Swift’s warm persona. The film utilizes surreal imagery, including a haunting crimson fabric spirit, to symbolize grief and connection. Concert scenes, featuring music by Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX, are staged in darkened, cathedral-like settings to emphasize the isolation of fame. While the visual storytelling effectively conveys the brutal grind of touring through metaphorical montages, the review notes that the character’s backstory lacks balance regarding Sam’s perspective. The movie blends high-Gothic iconography with psychological drama, offering a critique of celebrity culture through a lens of supernatural unease and emotional depletion.
Slate Magazine