Netflix’s ‘Mary’ Review: A Fresh Take on the Virgin Mother
“Twas something other than a silent night that first Christmas Eve, according to Netflix’s “Mary.” There was no room at the inn—not because of a Roman census but because rumors foretold a Messiah would be born there. Nativity tourists crowded the Bethlehem hillsides while Magi were already on the scene. A virtual team of midwives attended the virgin birth, and a mad King Herod was ready to launch a slaughter of innocents, amidst rebuilding the Second Temple and killing his wife.
“You may think you know my story,” says Mary (Noa Cohen), who makes quite the entrance on horseback and challenges the audience. “Trust me. You don’t.” This Mary definitely has an edge.
In this biopic, the writers and directors didn’t have much Gospel material to work with. With just a few mentions of Mary in the Bible, they turned to apocryphal texts and Jewish historian Josephus to craft a coming-of-age tale about the Mother of God and an infancy narrative about Jesus. The result is a mix of awe-struck characters, Luciferian mischief, and historical elements.
As per the apocrypha, the Nazarean olive farmer Joachim (Ori Pfeffer) and his wife Anne (Hilla Vidor) long for a child. After a divine encounter in the desert with the Archangel Gabriel (Dudley O’Shaughnessy), Mary is born, fulfilling their dreams. Mary’s journey involves inspired classmates, a marriage to Joseph, and a dramatic escape to Egypt.
The cast delivers enraptured performances, adding to the epic feel of the story. Anthony Hopkins shines as the mad King Herod, whose manic desire to maintain power leads to a brutal command to kill all infants in Bethlehem. The movie takes many liberties to create energy and entertainment, while hinting at deeper themes of oppression and extremism.
“Mary” may be a bit bonkers, but it aims to entertain and provoke thought. With its mix of historical accuracy and creative storytelling, the film offers a unique perspective on the familiar story of the Virgin Mary and the birth of Jesus.”
