Angelina Jolie’s performance inMariaeasesher return to the award nomination lineup, demonstrating the actress never lost her hypnotizing craftdespite her participation in less demanding movies. Coming back to bring opera singer, Maria Callas, to the screen, Jolie delivers a portrayal as exquisite as the artist’s immortal voice recordings, making her a leading contender for thebest actress category of the Oscars 2025. Having recently played charismatic characters inEternals,Maleficent, and theKung Fu Pandafranchise, some viewers might have forgotten Jolie’s outstanding past performances, butMariais far from being her first Oscar-worthy execution.

The actress is no stranger togreat biopic movies, as her characterization of Mariane Pearl inA Mighty Heartgarnered her a Critics Choice Award nomination. Additionally, she knows the role of a tortured celebrity all too well, having won a Golden Globe for her embodiment of real-life supermodel, Gia Carangi. ThoughJolie’s best moviesare recognized for their memorable and affecting characters, the actress’ one Oscar belongs to her 25-year-old supporting role inGirl, Interrupted.Maria’s early reviewsapplaudthe actress’ return to a sensitive and masterful evocation of character, heavily suggesting her coming awards success.

Actress Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s biopic, Maria.

Angelina Jolie’s Maria Is Now Streaming On Netflix - What The Movie Is About

Maria Revisits La Callas’ Rise To Fame And Her Fall From Grace

Actress Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s biopic, Maria.

Completing Pablo Larraín’s trilogy of biopics on female icons,Mariasets itself apartfrom the acclaimedJackieandSpencer.Leading theMariacast is powerhouse Angelina Jolie, whose talent can be equaled toJackieactress, Natalie Portman. The movie, out on Netflix today, adopts a bold narrative style, feeling like a story within a story originating from the delirious mind of its protagonist. Maria Callas, both narrator and subject, rejects her apparent lonely and failed reality by trying to intervene in it, however, falling victim to a futile mission to resuscitate her long-gone fame and voice.

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Franco Zeffirelli directedCallas Foreverin 2002, the first movie adaptation of Maria Callas' life and late career struggles.

As presented intheMariatrailer, the movie takes place a week before the artist’s death, and follows its character through real and imaginary memories, allowing her happiness only in her delusions of grandeur. Maria is presented asa dying artist who cannot let go of her once-adored talent, which is also the root of her self-destroying misery. Now, a shadow of the singer she was, she both craves and resents her angelic arias, hymns able to conjure an intoxicating admiration that consumed its subject day and night, and long after their last breath.

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Why Angelina Jolie’s Performance Of Maria Callas Is Getting Awards Buzz

Angelina Jolie Commits To Maria Callas’ Fatal Flaws And Haunting Grace

Following a sustained ovation during its premiere at the Venice Film Festival,Mariahas been described as “daring and unconventional” in both narrative and character (viaThe Hollywood Reporter). Though its cinematography and makeup feature the talent of artists responsible for titles likeEl CondeandAll Quiet on the Western Front,Maria’s biggest triumph is its leading actress' performance.Angelina Jolie accepts her character’s flaws as if they were her own, and offers a moving and palpable rendition of La Callasas she continues to live in the memories of those who loved and knew her.

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Varietyoffers similar reviews, claiming “This is the kind of role Jolie has been waiting for over 25 years, one that fully utilizes her undeniable commitment.” The seasoned actress defiantly celebrates a morally complex woman and artist whose ambition turns into fatal obsession — but who maintains a raw humanity that reaches through her cracked porcelain canvas. MariaCallas’ overbearing tormented mind juxtaposes with her graceful physical language and her dignified, struggling voice. WithMaria, Angelina Jolie comes back with a haunting performance reminiscent of her 2000s characters, garnering a deserved and anticipated wave of critical acclaim.