Maria (2024)
Film · History, Drama, Music
Stream it, ifif you appreciate a slow, operatic character study that prioritises atmosphere over a traditional plot.
A stylized and melancholic portrait of a fading icon that captures the isolation and internal struggle of one of the world's greatest voices. It is a slow, operatic character study that rewards patience and a love for high-art filmmaking.
What it is about
Maria Callas, the world's greatest opera singer, lives the last days of her life in 1970s Paris, as she confronts her identity and life.
Trailer
What Maria is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like being submerged in a grand, melancholic daydream. The pace is deliberate and stately, echoing the refined but claustrophobic elegance of 1970s Paris. It is a highly stylised piece of cinema that blends memories with a fading reality, creating an intense sense of isolation. The tone is consistently sombre, capturing the weight of a monumental legacy through a lens that feels both intimate and distant.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is a treat for those who enjoy high-art filmmaking and are fascinated by the internal lives of icons. It will appeal to lovers of opera and fans of transformative central performances. However, those seeking a traditional, celebratory biopic or a fast-moving drama should skip it. The film is undeniably slow and deeply sad, often prioritising mood and visual metaphor over clear narrative progression.
The right evening for it
It suits a quiet, introspective evening when you are prepared to give a film your full attention. It is a sophisticated choice for a rainy night when you want to get lost in a world of high art and faded glamour.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Official UK Trailer
How Maria leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to come away feeling wrung out and contemplative. The film leaves a heavy, lingering sense of melancholy and a profound appreciation for the lonely burden of immense talent.
How Maria ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
The film concludes as Maria acknowledges the decline of her singing voice following a distressing session with Jeffrey Tate. After thanking Ferruccio and Bruna for their years of loyalty, she takes a final moment of solitude while they are out shopping for groceries. Maria triumphantly performs "Vissi d'arte" one last time in her Paris apartment, leaving the windows open so that the gathering public and her returning staff can hear her. Shortly after this final performance, Ferruccio and Bruna enter the apartment to find Maria dead on the floor.
The ending settles Maria's struggle with her legacy and health, showing her finally finding peace with herself through a final song. Her death is reported to Dr. Fontainebleau by Ferruccio just before the authorities arrive, marking the close of her storied but troubled life.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Judy (2019)
the focus on a legendary performer's final, lonely months
Spencer (2021)
the same claustrophobic, psychological approach to a famous woman's life
The Iron Lady (2011)
a non-linear exploration of an icon looking back on their life
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More clips
Trailer · Official US Trailer
Teaser · Official Teaser
Clip · Sister Clip
Awards
Maria was nominated for Best Cinematography at the Oscars. It was also nominated at Venice.
Oscars
- Nominated: Best Cinematography · 2025
Venice Film Festival
- Nominated: Golden Lion · 2024
1 other awardShow
- Won: Celebration of Cinema and Television · 2024
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is Maria an authentic film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Authentic, with a tearjerker streak. A stylized and melancholic portrait of a fading icon that captures the isolation and internal struggle of one of the world's greatest voices. It is a slow, operatic character study that rewards patience and a love for high-art filmmaking.
- How long is Maria?
- Maria runs 123 min and was released in 2024.
- Where can I watch Maria in the UK?
- In the UK, Maria is included with Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel.
- Was Maria nominated for any awards?
- Maria was nominated for Best Cinematography at the Oscars. It was also nominated at Venice.
- Is Maria worth watching?
- It depends: if you appreciate a slow, operatic character study that prioritises atmosphere over a traditional plot. IMDb users rate it 6.4 out of 10 from 24,644 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 75%, Metacritic 63 and TMDB users 6.5.
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