“I don’t know the politics of it all; I just know we made this movie just so that people can feel the love and feel it in their heart,” Caruso added. “And that’s all I hope.”
Caruso also introduced the element of demonic temptation to highlight Mary’s resilience. “The devil’s presence is always there, tempting you to take the easy way out,” he said. The director explained that he wanted to include the element of spiritual warfare.
“One of the most beautiful moments in the movie is Mary accepting that fiat where she basically says, ‘Let it be me,’” Caruso said.
He added, “Can we all just say, let it be me, and follow those paths? Because there are so many things that take us off those paths, including the demonic presence.”
Caruso hopes viewers come away with a deeper appreciation for Mary’s humanity and strength. “We’ve seen her heartbreak as a mother in films like ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ but this movie is about how she got there—the decisions she made and the obstacles she faced,” he said. “I want young girls to see her as a hero…thinking, ‘Wow, she was like me when I was a young girl.’”
“Mary” is now streaming on Netflix.