Anne Hathaway's Mother Mary Is Taking Over HBO Max — A24's Box Office Misfire Finds New Life on Streaming

A24's Mother Mary Finds Its Audience on HBO Max

Not every great film finds its audience in theaters. Mother Mary, the psychological thriller from A24 and director David Lowery, is proof of that. After a disappointing box office run, the film starring Anne Hathaway has exploded on HBO Max, climbing to the top of the platform's most-watched charts and earning a second wave of critical appreciation.

The film, which hit HBO Max in August 2026, follows Hathaway as a woman unraveling after a series of increasingly disturbing events surrounding her family's religious community. Lowery, known for The Green Knight and Pete's Dragon, brings his signature dreamlike visual style to a story that blurs the line between faith, madness, and reality.

From Box Office Flop to Streaming Hit

In theaters, Mother Mary struggled to find its footing. The film opened to modest numbers, overshadowed by bigger-budget competition. But on HBO Max, it's found the exact audience it was looking for: viewers who appreciate slow-burn psychological tension and are willing to sit with ambiguity.

The streaming boost isn't just about accessibility. HBO Max has become a haven for A24 films, with titles like Everything Everywhere All at Once, Hereditary, and Midsommar continuing to find new audiences long after their theatrical runs. Mother Mary fits perfectly into that catalog — a film that demands attention and rewards patience.

Why Anne Hathaway Keeps Taking Risks

Hathaway's career since winning the Oscar for Les Misérables has been defined by bold choices. From Colossal to The Witches to WeCrashed, she's repeatedly chosen projects that challenge her and her audience. Mother Mary is perhaps her most daring performance yet — a role that requires her to convey an interior unraveling that's felt rather than explained.

For anyone who missed Mother Mary in theaters, HBO Max is the perfect place to catch up. Just dim the lights, settle in, and let Lowery's atmospheric direction and Hathaway's magnetic performance do their work. It's the kind of film that stays with you for days.