Netflix’s latest biblical drama, “Mary,” directed by D.J. Caruso, presents the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with a fresh cinematic perspective on some of the experiences she might have encountered during the Messiah’s birth.
Caruso, who is known for his work on films such as “Eagle Eye,” “Disturbia,” and “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” said that he came to the project with a deeply personal and reverent approach to one of history’s most iconic figures, crafting a narrative that blends Scripture, artistic interpretation, and contemporary themes.
Caruso shared with ChurchLeaders his inspiration for the film. “Mary as a character really stood out to me,” he said. “She’s always been part of the story cinematically, but she’s never been the story cinematically. Here’s the most extraordinary woman who ever walked the planet, and we’re telling her story in a way that resonates with both older and younger audiences.”
Caruso explained that he wanted to showcase Mary’s challenges while drawing parallels to contemporary struggles. “She was a young woman dealing with extraordinary circumstances—circumstances that still feel relevant today,” he said.
While Caruso’s “Mary” honors the Scriptures, it allows plenty of room for creative liberties to fill in the gaps of the biblical story. “The foundation comes from what we know in Matthew and Luke,” Caruso explained. “But there’s creative interpretation to explore themes and situations that aren’t explicitly detailed, like the journey to Egypt or encounters with Roman soldiers.”
This blend of Scripture and imagination shows a different perspective from what most people have grown accustomed to in a film about the mother of Jesus. “Mary” is rated TV-14 and includes scenes of violence with periods of tense cinematic scenes and deep emotional depth.
Anthony Hopkins plays the role of King Herod, and offers a complex, yet seemingly biblically accurate, portrayal of the king who attempted to kill baby Jesus. Caruso spoke highly of the Academy Award-winning actor. “He’s one of the greatest of all time,” Caruso said. “He brought this really sort of subconscious subtex to feeling something when he sees Mary.”
Caruso explained that Hopkins makes the viewer feel King Herod’s search for answers, even as he orders the unthinkable. “I had to pinch myself. He’s got such a God-given talent,” Caruso said.
The film has not been without its challenges. The casting of Noa Cohen and Ido Tako as Mary and Joseph, respectively, resulted in criticism from anti-Israel protesters. Caruso, however, remained loyal in his casting decision.
“Noa is such an extraordinary actress, and Ido had this incredible energy that they were Mary and Joseph,” he said. “They happened to be Jewish, they happened to be from the region where the story took place. And to me it was just, it was really a no brainer just to pick them based on their talent.”
