Angelina Jolie‘s critically acclaimed portrayal of famed opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s “Maria” is set to take the fall awards season by storm.
Netflix is set to release the film in U.S. theaters on Nov. 27 before it debuts on the streaming platform on Dec. 11, Variety can reveal exclusively. Additionally, the streamer has shared a new image from the film featuring Jolie as the influential musician.
“Maria” received an eight-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, held at the Sala Grande Theatre. Moved by the reception, Jolie was seen wiping away tears. Netflix secured the film soon after winning a bidding war with at least one major distributor in the lead-up to the festival.
Larraín’s biographical drama follows the American Greek soprano Maria Callas as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous yet tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines her final days as she grapples with her identity and legacy.
It’s been a while since Jolie was in serious contention for an acting award — her last Oscar nomination was for 2008’s “Changeling” by Clint Eastwood. However, her transformative portrayal of Callas serves as a powerful reminder of Jolie’s formidable talent, capturing the essence of one of the most celebrated and influential opera singers of the 20th century.
With her role in “Maria,” Jolie is expected to secure another Oscar nomination. She is currently leading in Variety Awards Circuit’s best actress charts and could be among the frontrunners for the coveted prize. It would mark her second Oscar win following her supporting actress statue for 1999’s “Girl, Interrupted.”
The period drama is part of Larraín’s trilogy of iconic women, which began with “Jackie” (2016), starring Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy, and “Spencer” (2021), with Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. It’s his strongest entry in the group, with a compelling character study penned by Oscar nominee Steven Knight (“Dirty Pretty Things,” 2003).
“Maria” is produced by Jonas Dornbach, Janine Jackowski, Juan de Dios Larraín and Lorenzo Mieli. It will screen at the New York Film Festival on Sept. 29 and the AFI Film Festival on Oct. 26.
Source Agencies
