Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Callas biopic hits the wrong notes; drug use, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Maria
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
During the last week of Maria Callas' (Angelina Jolie) life, the retired opera icon looks back on her ascension to the center of the world's stage. Keeping doctors at bay because she believes they will undermine and control her, MARIA is determined to sing again—this time, for herself.
Is It Any Good?
Depressing and disempowering, this drama depicts Callas as a beautiful tragedy, grasping for her abandoned talent with her last breath. Maria is elegant, eloquent, and desperately trying to control her life but still at the mercy of her butler, her doctors, the paparazzi, and pills. Surely, there was more to her than this, and someone of her talent and success, known for revitalizing the opera art form, deserves better. La Callas hit the high notes in her music and in her life, but director Pablo Larraín's biopic is disappointingly off-key.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how biopics like Maria often depict famous female musicians as tragic figures. Compare this to biopics about male musicians. What's the impact of consistently portraying aspirational, successful women as beautiful, sad disasters?
Whose life would you like to see made into a movie? Why?
What does Maria mean when she says, "Music is born of distress and poverty." Do you agree?
What was Mandrax, and how was it personified as a character in Maria? Are drugs, alcohol, and smoking glamorized here? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 20, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : December 11, 2024
- Cast : Angelina Jolie , Kodi Smit-McPhee , Alba Rohrwacher , Pierfrancesco Favino
- Director : Pablo Larrain
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , South American Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts ( Ballet , Dance ) , Competition , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Sports
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some language including a sexual reference
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 8, 2025
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