Maria

Maria (2024): A Raw, Unflinching Portrait of a Legend in Decline

Pablo Larraín’s Maria isn’t your typical biopic—it’s a psychological gut punch wrapped in the opulence of 1970s Paris, and fans are eating it up. Released in 2024 as an international co-production between Italy, Chile, Germany, and the U.S., this film dives into the final days of Greek-American soprano Maria Callas, and let’s just say, it’s not for the faint of heart.

First off, the visuals are stunning. Cinematographer Claire Mathon (of Portrait of a Lady on Fire fame) bathes every scene in a hazy, golden glow that feels both nostalgic and suffocating. One fan on MyAnimeList raved, “The way they shot her apartment—all velvet and cigarette smoke—you can smell the loneliness through the screen.” And they’re right. The film doesn’t shy away from the mess: Callas (played with unapologetic ferocity by Angelina Jolie) is shown screaming at her staff, chain-smoking through rehearsals, and collapsing into sobs after a botched recording. It’s messy, it’s human, and it’s real.

But let’s talk about the music. Oh, the music. The film weaves Callas’ iconic arias—like “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca—into the narrative, but not as background noise. When she sings, it’s a weapon, a plea, a breakdown all at once. A Reddit user noted, “The scene where she performs ‘La Traviata’ in an empty theater? I cried. Not because it was sad, but because you could feel every note in her bones.” Jolie’s performance here is nothing short of transformative; she doesn’t just mimic Callas—she becomes her, flaws and all.

Now, let’s get into the drama. The film doesn’t sugarcoat Callas’ tumultuous relationships, especially with Aristotle Onassis (played by Javier Bardem, oozing charm and toxicity). Their scenes are electric—equal parts passion and poison. A Twitter thread went viral after the film’s premiere, with fans debating whether the portrayal was “too harsh” or “brutally honest.” One user wrote, “People forget Callas wasn’t just a diva—she was a woman who lost everything: her voice, her love, her legacy. This film doesn’t pity her; it honors her pain.”

But here’s the thing: Maria isn’t just about Callas. It’s about the cost of greatness. The film asks, “What do you lose when the world sees you as a legend, not a person?” And the answer is… everything. A TikTok review summed it up perfectly: “This isn’t a movie about a singer. It’s about a woman fighting to be seen—even when her voice is gone.”

Critics have praised Larraín’s direction for its boldness. The New York Times called it “a masterclass in psychological storytelling,” while Variety noted, “Jolie gives the performance of her career, and Larraín doesn’t let her off the hook.” But let’s be real—this film isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a feel-good biopic with a happy ending, Maria will leave you cold. But if you want a film that challenges you, that makes you think, that stays with you long after the credits roll? This is it.

The fan reactions have been mixed, but mostly positive. On Letterboxd, the film has a 4.2/5 rating, with one user writing, “I went in expecting a biopic and left with a new understanding of what it means to be human. Jolie deserves an Oscar. Period.” Another user added, “The last 10 minutes? I was holding my breath. You don’t just watch this film—you experience it.”

So, should you watch Maria? If you love raw, unflinching storytelling, if you’re a fan of Callas, or if you just want to see Jolie in a role that proves she’s more than a movie star—absolutely. Just bring tissues. And maybe a cigarette (but don’t smoke it in the theater—duh).

In the end, Maria isn’t just a film about a legend. It’s a film about all of us—about the parts of ourselves we hide, the pain we carry, and the music we make even when our voices are breaking. As one fan put it, “This isn’t a movie you ‘like.’ It’s a movie you feel. And that’s the highest compliment I can give.”

So go see it. And then call your friend and yell about it for an hour. Trust me—you’ll want to.

Final Verdict: 9/10. A must-watch for anyone who loves great acting, great music, and great storytelling. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you about the feels.

— A fan who’s still thinking about that final scene. 🎶