Director David Lowery enlisted choreographer Dani Vitale, cinematographer Rina Yang and costume designer Bina Daigeler to develop Anne Hathaway's character, Mother Mary, as a believable pop icon in the thriller now in select theaters. The team simulated a decade of artist development in six months, drawing from real stars like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. Hathaway trained rigorously to embody the goth-inspired diva.
David Lowery tasked the film's artisans with creating Mother Mary, a pop star played by Anne Hathaway whose arena tours contrast with her strained friendship with costume designer Sam Anselm, portrayed by Michaela Coel. The process involved mapping her career timeline, album rollouts and persona, blending elements from contemporary stars without direct imitation. Vitale noted inspirations like Taylor Swift's emotional capture and Gaga's power, while Yang drew from her work on Swift and FKA Twigs tours to scale the concert scenes realistically. Real musicians Charli xcx, Jack Antonoff and FKA Twigs produced an album of industrial pop songs for the character, with FKA Twigs also in a supporting role. Hathaway, an Oscar winner for Les Misérables vocals, trained with a coach to sound unique. 'None of us wanted Mother Mary to sound like anybody else,' she said at the New York premiere. 'We wanted her to be somebody the audience believed could have held her own against these pop icons.' Vitale, experienced with Rihanna and Katy Perry, rehearsed Hathaway as a touring artist, ignoring her acting background. They trained six to seven hours daily in jazz, ballet and hip hop, studying tours and mic handling to make movements authentic. The choreography became 'timeless and impactful,' highlighting Hathaway's 'abrasions and weaknesses' for grittiness. Daigeler designed costumes evolving from early 2000s simplicity to late 2010s glamour, including gothic halos inspired by saints and baroque art. Looks were song-specific: structured for 'Dark Cradle' and vulnerable for 'Holy Spirit,' with a core-embellished hole. Hathaway rehearsed wearing the halos. For concerts, Yang and Vitale built physical stages with live audiences, minimizing VFX to crowd duplication and platform extensions. Hathaway performed live on a high suspended platform. 'You’re a real pop star,' Yang told her, praising the authenticity.
