The biographical drama Maria, created by Steven Knight of Peaky Blinders fame, is now available to stream on Netflix in the UK and Ireland. Released last year, the film stars Angelina Jolie as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, focusing on her life and career during the years leading to her death in Paris in 1977 at age 53. The film presents a psychological exploration of Callas’s complex character and career.
Film Creators, Cast, and Connections to Other Biopics
Written by Knight, Maria is viewed as a companion piece to Pablo Larraín’s previous biographical films Jackie and Spencer, released in 2016 and 2021 respectively. The drama features supporting performances from Pierfrancesco Favino and Kodi Smit-McPhee, who contribute depth to the film‘s portrayal of this iconic figure. Maria first became available on Netflix in the United States before expanding to the UK and Irish streaming platforms.
Critical Response and Award Recognition
Angelina Jolie‘s portrayal of Maria Callas has earned widespread praise. She received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama), while the film itself was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography. On Rotten Tomatoes, Maria holds a 75% approval rating based on 220 reviews, with an audience score slightly higher at 76%. However, its IMDb user rating is more moderate, at 6.4 out of 10.
Accolades for Jolie’s Performance Shine in Reviews
Critics highlighted Jolie’s nuanced and multifaceted performance. As Mashable noted,
“Each of [the] elements is so individually exquisite as to yield material that not only proves incredibly moving, but also provides Jolie with a platform to craft what is perhaps the most complex performance of her illustrious career.”
—Mashable
Legendary critic Leonard Maltin added,
“Angelina Jolie captures the many facets of the melancholy star: glamorous, mercurial, infuriating at times yet heartbreakingly vulnerable. It is a singular and remarkable showcase,”
—Leonard Maltin
The emphasis on Jolie’s captivating acting was echoed by LAist, stating,
“It’s the performance that matters here and Angelina Jolie’s performance is captivating,”
—LAist
TimeOut described the film as an enjoyable biopic offering a loving and affectionate portrait of Maria Callas.
Upcoming Projects from Steven Knight and Film Accessibility
While Maria has found new viewers on Netflix, Steven Knight continues his successful career by preparing to write the script for the next James Bond installment. Meanwhile, fans of the Maria Callas story can now access Maria instantly on Netflix across the UK and Ireland.
