“Mary” on Netflix: A Biblical Tale with a Modern Twist?
Netflix’s “Mary,” released just in time for Christmas, presents an epic, biblical narrative centered around Mary (Noa Cohen) and the birth of Jesus Christ. The film opens with Mary’s parents praying for a child after years of unsuccessful attempts. The angel Gabriel (Dudley O’Shaughnessy) visits them, granting them a daughter and foretelling that she will serve God throughout her life. As a teenager, Mary is sent to a temple to fulfill this service. Later, she encounters a young man named Joseph (Ido Tako), guided there by Gabriel. Mary’s father then betroths her to Joseph. Following their engagement, but before their marriage, the same angel appears to Mary, informing her that she will conceive a child of God. Believing she has broken her vows and the law, she is cast out of the temple and becomes an outcast.
Despite this, her family and Joseph remain by her side. She and Joseph eventually marry, but they are soon forced to flee the city after an angry mob attempts to find them. On the run, Mary ultimately gives birth to Jesus in a stable, lacking any other shelter. Those familiar with the biblical story know how it unfolds from there, and the film explores this narrative quite extensively. However, it also takes significant liberties with the story, aiming to reframe Mary’s story as a suspenseful thriller. Since its release, the film has not been well-received, with both audiences and critics expressing dissatisfaction, potentially due to the various controversies surrounding the film.
Casting Controversy: The Selection of “Mary”
One of the biggest controversies surrounding “Mary” is the casting, particularly the choice of Israeli actress Noa Cohen for the titular role. Given the ongoing conflict between the Israeli government and displaced Palestinians, many argue that such casting deliberately negates Mary’s Palestinian heritage and is an insult to Palestinians struggling for survival today. However, others counter that such political lines were different 2000 years ago and should not be an issue.
Regardless, the fact that an Israeli actress was chosen for a film centered on a Middle Eastern story is bound to raise eyebrows for some. Whether her casting was intended to reflect larger issues or not, critics of Cohen’s portrayal of Mary certainly believe it does, especially Palestinian supporters. However, as with most religiously themed films, the casting is not the only complaint viewers have with the film.
Divergence from Scripture: “Mary’s” Narrative Liberties
In a film attempting to appeal to audiences of all faiths, “Mary” does take some narrative liberties that have angered many religious viewers and biblical scholars, who complain that the film strays too far from scripture and traditional religious teachings. For starters, the historical accuracy of Mary’s relationship with her father has been heavily criticized. The film provides a fairly extensive backstory for Mary’s parents, as well as her own birth, but these are a far cry from her initial portrayal in the Bible.
Furthermore, as the film progresses, Lucifer (Eamonn Farren) visits Mary with the intention of tempting her away from God and faith. In fact, he comes to her many times throughout her life, fully aware of the path God wants her to take. On one occasion, Lucifer appears to her while Mary is staying at the temple, but he is met by the angel Gabriel, who seems to scare him off with the threat of God. In a dream, Lucifer steals her away, only to be rescued by Joseph, who stabs the fallen angel in the back, seemingly defeating him for good. No such events are ever mentioned in the Bible, so its inclusion in Mary’s epic story feels rather outlandish for those expecting a familiar Christmas story.
Even Gabriel and Lucifer’s rather modern attire seems to have angered those hoping for a more traditional representation of angels. That being said, Lucifer’s presence in the film is a controversy in itself, as the angel has nothing to do with Mary’s story or the birth of Jesus Christ. Essentially, nearly everything about this film is controversial due to how far it strays from the Bible. Those expecting an epic tale of Mary and the birth of Jesus will essentially be met with fan fiction and casting issues.