Anne Hathaway Unveils Debut Song Burial from Upcoming Film Mother Mary
Anne Hathaway has released her first musical offering from the highly anticipated A24 film Mother Mary. The synth-pop track, titled Burial, debuted on Thursday, showcasing the actress's vocal talents in a sultry, atmospheric performance.
Collaborative Creation with Music Industry Stars
The song represents a significant collaborative effort. Hathaway co-wrote Burial with pop sensation Charli XCX and George Daniel, Charli XCX's husband and drummer for the acclaimed band The 1975. Additionally, prolific producer and songwriter Jack Antonoff contributed writing credits to the track, adding his distinctive synth-pop touch.
According to reports from entertainment outlet JustJared, the lyrics feature haunting lines such as 'I'll kill you softly / So sweetly, kindly / I'm mesmerizing, it's terrifying', punctuated by the repeated refrain 'This is your burial'. This marks Hathaway's only co-writing and vocal performance on the film's soundtrack, which otherwise features original songs by Charli XCX, Jack Antonoff, and FKA Twigs.
Mother Mary: A Psychosexual Pop Melodrama
Mother Mary is described by production studio A24 as a 'psychosexual pop melodrama'. The film stars Hathaway as the titular chaotic pop icon, whose career reaches a pivotal moment. The narrative centers on a tumultuous reunion between Mother Mary and her former costume designer, Sam Anselm, portrayed by Michaela Coel.
The supporting cast includes Hunter Schafer, Atheena Frizzell, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay, Alba Baptista, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Sian Clifford, and FKA Twigs. Directed by David Lowery, the film promises a deep exploration of fame, friendship, and artistic identity.
Promotional Releases and Character Insights
Alongside the song, A24 released a 30-second YouTube video titled Greatest Hits (Official Album Teaser). This teaser depicts Hathaway in character as Mother Mary, performing Burial and other songs on stage before an enthusiastic crowd. The studio also shared a 30-minute video showcasing Hathaway fully immersed in her pop star persona.
In Vogue's August 2025 cover story, Hathaway opened up about the challenging yet transformative experience of preparing for the role. 'I had to submit to being a beginner. The humility of that — showing up every day knowing you’re going to suck. And it has to be okay. You’re not "bad." You’re just a beginner,' she revealed. 'Getting to that mindset — I had to shed some things that were hard to shed. It was welcome. But it was hard, the way transformational experiences can be hard.'
Vogue further described Hathaway's character as a 'Gaga-Taylor Swift hybrid', a pop icon who, during a career lull, reconnects with the friend who helped craft her all-consuming public image.
Visual Aesthetics and Release Strategy
The film's visual style is already generating buzz. Costume designer Bina Daigeler, known for her work on Mulan and Tar, has created dazzling leotards and gowns for Hathaway's performances. Promotional materials show the actress wearing a large spiked tiara and sporting two-tone platinum locks, emphasizing the character's extravagant stage presence.
Mother Mary is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on April 17, followed by a nationwide expansion on April 24. This release follows the debut of the film's first trailer in December, which offered glimpses of Hathaway's powerful stadium performances.
Hathaway's Musical Film Legacy
This is not Anne Hathaway's first foray into musical film roles. She famously delivered a critically acclaimed performance in the 2012 movie musical Les Misérables, where she sang I Dreamed a Dream and other iconic numbers. Her return to singing on screen in Mother Mary adds a new dimension to her versatile acting career, coinciding with her upcoming role in The Devil Wears Prada 2.
The release of Burial serves as a compelling preview of Hathaway's latest artistic venture, blending her acting prowess with musical performance in a film that explores the intense, often dark world of pop stardom.
