Anne Hathaway ‘Broke Down’ on A24’s ‘Mother Mary’ set

Hollywood’s Most Talked-About Meltdown

When one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses reaches her breaking point on set, it tells us something profound about the art of acting. Anne Hathaway’s emotional breakdown during filming of A24’s Mother Mary has become the talk of the industry, revealing the intense dedication required for transformative roles.

This wasn’t just another day at the office for the Oscar winner. The incident highlights how even seasoned performers can be pushed to their emotional limits when a role demands complete vulnerability and authenticity.

A24’s Latest Ambitious Project

Mother Mary represents A24’s continued commitment to boundary-pushing cinema that challenges both actors and audiences. The film centers around a pop superstar experiencing an existential crisis, fleeing her tour to reconnect with an old friend who shaped her public image.

Director David Lowery crafted a script so intense that it forced his lead actress into uncharted emotional territory. The project promises to be another genre-defying piece from the studio known for taking creative risks.

The Star-Studded Cast

Anne Hathaway takes on the title role as Mother Mary, a pop icon caught between her public persona and private struggles. Michaela Coel, the brilliant creator of “I May Destroy You,” plays the fashion designer friend who becomes central to Mary’s journey of self-discovery.

The chemistry between these powerhouse performers was essential to the film’s success. Their real-life bond would prove crucial when the emotional intensity of filming reached its peak.

Filming in a 13th-Century German Barn

The production took place in a historic 13th-century barn near Bonn, Germany, for multiple months. This unique location became both a sanctuary and a pressure cooker for the cast and crew during the intensive filming process.

The ancient setting added an otherworldly quality to the production that influenced everyone involved. The barn’s atmosphere seemed to amplify the emotional weight of the scenes being filmed within its walls.

An “Apocalypse Now” Experience

Director David Lowery compared the filming experience to Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary Apocalypse Now production. The intensity of the work pushed everyone to their limits, creating an environment where raw emotion became the norm.

“It felt like shooting Apocalypse Now,” Lowery told Vogue, describing the all-consuming nature of the production. The comparison speaks to the psychological demands placed on cast and crew throughout the filming process.

The Moment of Breakdown

During one particularly intense scene, Anne Hathaway reached her emotional breaking point and broke down completely. She turned to her co-star Michaela Coel and said, “I have to apologize, because I think what’s going to come out of me will hurt you”.

This moment of vulnerability showcased the depth of Hathaway’s commitment to the role. Her concern for her co-star’s wellbeing, even in her moment of crisis, demonstrated the profound respect between the two actresses.

Michaela’s Supportive Response

Michaela Coel’s response to Hathaway’s breakdown was immediate and heartfelt. She took Hathaway’s hands and said, “I love you, I trust you,” providing the emotional support needed to continue filming.

This exchange became a defining moment of their collaboration and friendship. Coel’s unwavering support allowed Hathaway to push through her fears and deliver what would become some of her most powerful work.

A Week of Intense Filming

The emotional breakdown wasn’t an isolated incident but part of a week-long filming process for this pivotal scene. Lowery revealed that they were “in various stages of that for about a week, shooting that scene”.

The extended filming period required sustained emotional intensity from both actresses. Each day brought new challenges as they worked to capture the perfect moments of raw, authentic emotion.

The Challenge of Embodying Mother Mary

For Hathaway, the role represented a complete departure from her previous work and required a fundamental shift in her approach to acting. “What struck me right away, reading the script, is that you can’t ‘perform’ Mother Mary,” she explained.

The character demanded total authenticity rather than traditional acting techniques. Hathaway realized she would need to “become material David could craft with” rather than simply playing a role.

Embracing the Beginner’s Mind

Hathaway had to adopt what she called a “beginner’s mind” to tackle this challenging role. “I had to submit to being a beginner,” she shared, describing the humility required for the transformation.

This mindset meant accepting that she would struggle and potentially fail as she learned new skills. “The humility of that—showing up every day knowing you’re going to suck. And it has to be okay”.

The Terrifying Barn Dance

One of the most challenging scenes involved Hathaway performing a dance sequence in the barn that Coel described as “scary”. The physicality required for this scene was unlike anything in Hathaway’s previous work, demanding months of preparation.

“It’s very brave work that she’s done,” Coel noted, emphasizing the courage required for such vulnerable performance. The scene required multiple takes with cast, crew, and producers watching, adding to the pressure.

Star-Studded Musical Collaboration

The film’s soundtrack features contributions from acclaimed producer Jack Antonoff and pop sensation Charli XCX. Hathaway has been recording tracks with Antonoff while Lowery works on post-production.

This musical element adds another layer of complexity to Hathaway’s performance. The collaboration with top-tier musical talent reflects the film’s serious commitment to authenticity in its portrayal of pop stardom.

German Techno Clubs as Stress Relief

To cope with the intense filming schedule, Michaela Coel would frequent German techno clubs and eventually convinced Hathaway to join her. These late-night dance sessions became their way of releasing the emotional tension built up during filming.

The contrast between the medieval barn setting and modern techno clubs provided the perfect escape. This unusual stress-relief method shows how the cast found creative ways to decompress from the demanding production.

Shedding Old Habits

The transformational nature of the role required Hathaway to “shed some things that were hard to shed”. This process of letting go of established acting methods was both welcome and difficult for the veteran performer.

“It was welcome. But it was hard, the way transformational experiences can be hard,” she reflected. The challenge lay in unlearning decades of acting techniques to find a more authentic approach.

The Power of Vivid Writing

Michaela Coel praised David Lowery’s script, saying “David’s writing is so vivid—we were forced into an intensity”. The screenplay’s emotional depth created an environment where authentic reactions became inevitable.

This intensity permeated every aspect of the production, from the daily filming to the relationships between cast members. The script’s power lay in its ability to blur the lines between performance and reality.

A Genre-Defying Experience

Mother Mary is being described as a “very weird movie” that defies easy categorization. The film combines elements of psychological drama, musical storytelling, and intimate character study in ways that challenge conventional filmmaking.

Much of the action “turns on the making of a dress, which is spectacular,” according to early descriptions. This focus on seemingly mundane details reflects the film’s commitment to finding profound meaning in everyday moments.

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Anticipating the Release

While Mother Mary doesn’t yet have a confirmed release date, the intense production process has generated significant buzz in Hollywood circles. The film represents a bold artistic statement from both A24 and its talented cast.

Early descriptions suggest audiences are in for something truly unique when the film finally arrives. The emotional journey that nearly broke its star promises to deliver an equally powerful experience for viewers.

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Anne’s raw moment has fans talking—like if you’re intrigued and share your thoughts below.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.