Ever since Anne Hathaway was announced as the lead in Mother Mary, David Lowery’s upcoming epic drama, anticipation has been building steadily. The actress steps into the role of a magnetic, psychosexual pop star navigating the wounds of her past alongside her former friend—played by Michaela Coel—while the two construct a wardrobe that encapsulates the full arc of her career.

Sound intriguing? Today, March 5, 2026, as part of the film’s promotion, the first single from the soundtrack was released: “Burial.” The tension, mysticism, and unmistakable sonic fingerprints of Charli XCX and Jack Antonoff are immediately present. But the question remains: why are we so fascinated by actresses transforming into fully realized pop divas?

This isn’t the first time the fusion has reached the big screen. Brady Corbet’s Vox Lux explored the idea in 2018, casting Natalie Portman as a pop star haunted by childhood trauma. The aesthetic was powerful, but the film ultimately revealed a harsh truth: when the image overtakes the narrative, not even a soundtrack produced by Sia can sustain the illusion.

Still, the concept left a mark. The figure of the pop star—brilliant, fragile, excessive—remains one of entertainment’s most magnetic archetypes. With Mother Mary, the formula appears more refined: a seasoned actress who has already proven her vocal range (Les Misérables), a hypnotic aesthetic, and a contemporary soundtrack that feels dark, sharp, and unmistakably modern.

Following the success of Smile 2, starring Naomi Scott, this kind of narrative once again demonstrated its commercial potential when music does more than accompany the story—it drives it. The fantasy of the pop artist is irresistible, even if it doesn’t always work.

A clearer example of image serving narrative rather than overpowering it can be found in Perfect Blue. In Satoshi Kon’s cult classic, the idol aesthetic becomes a psychological trap. Hair bows turn into suffocating ropes, and choreographies morph into a dance of paranoia that dismantles the fantasy of celebrity. Here, the image doesn’t decorate the story—it unravels it.

With Mother Mary, everything A24 has revealed so far feels carefully curated: aspirational, stylish, and strangely hypnotic. The trailer suggests a tense, almost surreal story where the line between myth and humanity begins to blur. The real question is how far the film will go in humanizing two figures that often exist in a nearly divine realm: the pop star and the costume designer.

For now, the wait continues. The full soundtrack arrives April 17, and with “Burial” already on repeat, the anticipation for A24’s next obsession is only growing stronger.