Netflix’s Maria is the latest subversive biopic from acclaimed filmmaker Pablo Larraín, exploring the tumultuous life of opera singer Maria Callas. The film centers around the celebrity’s final days before her death, exploring the impact of her work on both the world around her and her own psyche. It’s a dark, twisted tale of fame, ambition, and corruption that certainly doesn’t stick to the formula when it comes to historical biopics. The film is notably one of Angelina Jolie’s best projects yet, as she delivers a groundbreaking performance in the lead role.

Larrain has a very unique style of filmmaking that’s totally unlike anything else that came before it, but there are certainly traces of influence and inspiration that can be found in Maria. The film’s dark, socially relevant exploration of womanhood and success is something that’s often explored in these kinds of films,...