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Mary Magdalene

Play trailer 2:20 Poster for Mary Magdalene R 2019 2h 0m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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44% Tomatometer 112 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In the first century, free-spirited Mary Magdalene flees the marriage her family has arranged for her, finding refuge and a sense of purpose in a radical new movement led by Jesus. The sole woman among his band of disciples, Mary defies the prejudices of a patriarchal society as she undergoes a profound spiritual awakening and finds herself at the center of an Earth-shaking historical moment.

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Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene

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Critics Consensus

Mary Magdalene has obvious reverence for its subject; unfortunately, it lacks enough momentum or depth of character to make her story interesting.

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Critics Reviews

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Ben Sachs Chicago Reader 03/25/2020
Neither Rooney Mara (as Mary) nor Joaquin Phoenix (as Jesus) are especially compelling. Go to Full Review
Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (LAist) 09/27/2019
It is so slow and so boring. Go to Full Review
Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times 05/03/2019
2/4
This is a noble effort, but ultimately Mary Magdalene isn't much less of a mystery than she was at the start of the journey. Go to Full Review
Alex Flood NME (New Musical Express) 05/18/2021
3/5
What we're left with, sadly, is a frustrating quasi-biopic that never quite gets a grip on its subject matter. Go to Full Review
Charles Koplinski Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam 11/20/2020
3.0/4.0
In the title role, Rooney Mara is subtle but conveys a great deal in her introspective approach and while the movie is overlong, it's well-worth seeing as the conviction of the actress and the cast make it worthwhile. Go to Full Review
Jason Fraley WTOP (Washington, D.C.) 07/24/2020
2/4
If you're simply looking for a spiritual reminder this Easter weekend, the film offers the disciples' Last Supper refrain: "His steadfast love is eternal." As an objective film grade, it's a 2-star take on a 4-star miracle. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Blake- N @PBSAniDom 1h I went into Mary Magdalene with fairly neutral expectations and came away thinking it was a decent, if uneven, historical drama. It tries to present a quieter, more human-centered take on a well-known biblical figure, which is refreshing compared to more traditional retellings. The film’s biggest strength is its atmosphere. The cinematography is soft and natural, often making the landscapes feel almost meditative. The pacing is deliberately slow, which works for some scenes, but may feel a bit too restrained for viewers expecting more narrative drive. Rooney Mara delivers a solid, understated performance, and Joaquin Phoenix brings a calm intensity that fits the tone of the film. Their performances help carry the emotional weight, even when the script feels minimal or overly subdued. Overall, Mary Magdalene is a thoughtful but not always engaging watch. It has its moments of quiet beauty and reflection, but doesn’t fully sustain its impact throughout. I’d rate it a 6/10. See more Abby K @DanAz86 20h I almost made the mistake of caring about these terrible reviews. Thankfully I watched. The film is incredibly moving if you care about the content. If you’re looking for trashy, back to back dopamine hits, watch something else. If you’re looking for moving social commentary and substantial content, give it a chance. I’d say it’s an especially great watch if you’re curious about the forgotten importance of Mary Magdalene to Christianity. Throw your ideas about Jesus from "The Chosen" out the window and let a different depiction shine through, emphasizing his especially painstaking final days. See more bill g @RT83869988 Nov 21 It’s a well done movie. Leave it there. I mean Charlton Heston dressed funny holding a fake stick and a ridiculous version of the Red Sea opening up satisfies your spiritual insights? Magdelene showed Jesus love for woman. There are no overtones. She saw him rise. See more Mike L @RT29391372 Nov 12 The only thing more stunning than the 44% rating is the “top critic” reviews. Wow, these people judge films for a living? The only one I even slightly agreed with was a comment that you need to be in the right mood; which I find true of many great pictures. This film is ethereal in nature as is its subject. Must have gone right over their pompous heads while they were distracted with their own self indulgence. Maybe their script didn’t get picked up and they’re bitter. No idea. Mara is absolutely sublime and the cinematography magnificently pulls out her character and the deeper meaning of these teachings, without the need for a lot of words. She says so much with her eyes. It’s called acting. The message is true and deeply moving. I’ve watched it several times and honestly weep at the beauty of the message and delivery. I’m not even a Christian if that matters. If you need to have plots and themes spelled out for you and over played characters, like the critics apparently, you might miss it. If you can appreciate great filmmaking and acting, you’re in for a real treat. See more Ashley Eddington L @RT45605087 Sep 12 This movie was remarkable. I have never known a film about Jesus to be so relatable and inspiring. Visually it was breathtaking. I have watched this film now several times and each time I have caught small details that I didn’t see before. The depth and nuance are just masterful while at the same time soft and subtle. The casting is on point. Each role is masterfully communicated by this diverse and attuned ensemble. The music transports. The soundtrack is a feat that never detracts but absolutely accompanies the story with grace.. This story! How they captured the beauty and complexity of what has to be the real story of Jesus and Mary so authentically, feels like a small miracle. I have been so grateful for this film and the labor of love of all involved. I highly recommend it to people of all backgrounds. See more Thomas S @RT38038238 04/16/2024 Beautifully shot and acted by Phoenix and Mara but lacked inspiration See more Read all reviews
Mary Magdalene

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the first century, free-spirited Mary Magdalene flees the marriage her family has arranged for her, finding refuge and a sense of purpose in a radical new movement led by Jesus. The sole woman among his band of disciples, Mary defies the prejudices of a patriarchal society as she undergoes a profound spiritual awakening and finds herself at the center of an Earth-shaking historical moment.
Director
Garth Davis
Producer
Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Liz Watts
Screenwriter
Helen Edmundson, Philippa Goslett
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
See-Saw Films, Porchlight Films
Rating
R (Bloody and Disturbing Images)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 12, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$114.3K
Runtime
2h 0m