Three years after starring as Thena in the movie Marvel doesn’t like to talk about (Eternals), Angelina Jolie returns to the big screen as the protagonist ofMaria, which serves as the last installment in a trilogy that began in 2016. The biographical psychological drama, directed by Pablo Larraín and written by Steven Knight,follows the later years of famous opera singer Maria Callas' (played by Jolie) life.Mariais set in the 1970s in Paris, where Callas lived away from the public eye until her death in 1977.
Mariapremiered on Jul 22, 2025, at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and was released in some theaters in the United States on November 27. However, as of December 11, it’s available to stream on Netflix.
Maria’s reviews have been rather positive, with many critics praising Jolie’s performance as the renowned opera singer. However, some might be surprised to learn that the 2024 Netflix movie isn’t the first of its kind. In reality,Mariais the conclusion to an eight-year trilogy,with the first two installments also focusing on influential 20th-century women whose names many will recognize.
Maria Ends Pablo Larraín’s Movie Trilogy About Influential 20th Century Women
Larraín’s Trilogy Also Includes Jackie & Spencer
Pablo Larraín kicked off his trilogy ofbiopics about influential womenliving in the 1900s withJackiein 2016.Spencerfollowed in 2021, andMariacaps off the series in 2024. As mentioned above,Mariarevolves around Angelina Jolie’s Maria Callas. As for the other two movies,Jackiefocuses on former United States First Lady Jackie Kennedy(played by Natalie Portman), andSpencerchronicles Princess Diana’s(played by Kristen Stewart) Christmas in 1991 when she considers leaving Prince Charles. Princess Diana was born Diana Frances Spencer, which is where Larraín got the film’s title.
As of the writing of this article, the nominations for the 97th Academy Awards haven’t been announced yet, but Jolie is already a frontrunner for Best Actress forMaria.
So, although the three movies don’t exactly connect regarding the story, they are a part of a trilogy. People don’t need to see one film to see another. However, they are all tied together because Larraín directed them, and they center around three of the most influential women in the 20th century.Larraín’s work will end withMariain 2024,though.
Kristen Stewart’s Diana Spencer Performance Isn’t Her Best Real-Life Role
Though Kristen Stewart gives a good performance as Princess Diana in the film Spencer, it isn’t the best real-life role the actress has portrayed.
Maria Could Finally Fulfill A Disappointing Oscars Streak For Pablo Larrain’s Movie Trilogy
Angelina Jolie Could Win An Oscar For Maria
While Larraín’s 20th-century influential women movie trilogy has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, the first two movies have failed to win Oscars. Both Portman andStewart have received Oscar nominations for Best Actress, but they lost to Emma Stone (forLa La Land) and Jessica Chastain (forThe Eyes of Tammy Faye). The good news is that Jolie can break this streak. As of the writing of this article, the nominations for the 97th Academy Awards haven’t been announced yet, butJolie is already a frontrunnerfor Best Actress forMaria(perVariety).
Maria
Cast
Maria(2024) is a biographical drama about opera singer Maria Callas, directed by Pablo Larraín, starring Angelina Jolie. It concludes Larraín’s trilogy on iconic women.
