Angelina Jolie’s Award-Winning Biopic Takes Streaming Platforms by Storm

Angelina Jolie, a prominent figure in the film industry, has captivated audiences with her talent and intriguing personal life. Her previous high-profile relationship with actor Brad Pitt, her co-star in the blockbuster film Mr. and Mrs. Smith, kept her in the public eye for over a decade. Jolie first garnered widespread acclaim by winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her stunning performance in Girl, Interrupted. She later secured an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role in the poignant family drama Changeling.

Although Jolie experienced a peak in her career during the 2000s, her recent filmography has been less prolific. In 2021, she portrayed Thena in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals, yet she remained absent from acting projects in both 2022 and 2023. Notably, there were instances of significant gaps between her film roles, such as the three-year period that followed her voice acting in Kung Fu Panda 3 before she starred in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. However, 2024 marks her return to the silver screen with a project that has already achieved considerable success.

Maria: A Streaming Sensation

Critical Acclaim for Maria

Jolie’s latest film, Maria, has quickly established itself as a streaming success. In this biopic, she takes on the role of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, who spent her later years in Paris during the 1970s. Since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August 2024, Maria has garnered generally favorable reviews. Jolie’s performance has earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, fueling Oscar buzz surrounding the film. The cast also features notable actors such as Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Haluk Bilginer, and Casper Phillipson.

As of December 12, 2024, Maria has made an impressive debut on Netflix, ranking as the fourth most-watched film in the U.S. Its rise in popularity outpaced titles such as It Ends With Us, Subservience, and That Christmas. Other popular films on the chart included Mary, Our Little Secret, We’re the Millers, The Children’s Train, The Star, and Run All Night.

Insights on Maria’s Streaming Triumph

Potential for Continued Awards Momentum

Although it did not clinch the number one spot, Maria experienced remarkable success shortly after its addition to Netflix on December 11. This rapid ascent is likely linked to the momentum generated by Jolie’s Golden Globe nomination announced on December 9. Given its strong initial reception, Maria may maintain its trajectory throughout the upcoming awards season, with hopes that Jolie appears among the nominees for Best Actress when Oscar nominations are revealed in January.

Source: Netflix

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