Anne Hathaway has confessed that her intense preparation methods might actually be the scariest part of making a movie, at least for the directors. A recent behind-the-scenes revelation done to A24 proves that her chaotic preparation style ultimately serves the filmmaker's ultimate vision. When an Oscar-winning actress admits her prep work has literally terrified filmmakers, you know her creative process is anything but ordinary.

Before cameras even roll, Hathaway undergoes a rigorous mental boot camp that transforms her relationship with the director.

Anne Hathaway and director David Lowery recently joined each other on The A24 Podcast to discuss their psychological pop-drama film, Mother Mary. During the candid conversation, Hathaway pulled back the curtain on her intense pre-production habits. She revealed that her way of prepping might have, "for a fact," overwhelmed a few directors.

“I know for a fact it's freaked some of them out. And I've had to say to them, I do this because I'm not gonna ask a single question when we're on set", she said. She revealed that she actually deliberately interrogates every single detail of a project during the prep phase.

“One of the things that I try to explain to directors who don't know me is that I interrogate everything in prep. Like, every single thing. Even lines that I absolutely love, I just ask every single question”, she said.

This exhaustive questioning is not meant to challenge the director, but rather to streamline the actual filming process. Hathaway explained that sorting out these narrative doubts early allows her to act as a supportive lieutenant during production. By solving problems in advance, she ensures the team hits the ground running without wasting precious onset time.

Taylor Swift Becomes the Muse for Anne Hathaway’s 'Mother Mary'

The fruits of this meticulous preparation are fully on display in her latest haunting cinematic collaboration.

Mother Mary is a 2026 musical psychological drama-thriller film written and directed by David Lowery, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. The story follows a world-famous pop icon who flees to the English countryside to reunite with her estranged costume designer, Sam Anselm. This tense reunion forces the superstar to confront deep professional resentments and a literal supernatural entity.

The film was released by A24 on April 17, 2026, before opening country-wide on April 24. While the project received mixed to positive reviews from critics, it unfortunately became a box-office disappointment, grossing only $3 million against its $20 million budget. Audiences, however, remain captivated by the raw intensity of the performances.

The dramatic narrative culminates in a bizarre, cathartic ritual where the characters physically excise the spirit of their mutual trauma. Ultimately, Hathaway's willingness to thoroughly dissect a script allows her to completely surrender to these demanding, surreal emotional landscapes when the cameras finally start rolling.

Anne Hathaway’s Pop Star in Crisis: ‘Mother Mary’ Trailer Unveiled

What do you think about Anne Hathaway's way of preparing herself? Let us know in the comments.