Mary & Max

Part of the Special Series LICHTSPIELE

Mary Dinkle, a shy girl from a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, lives a lonely life with her overwhelmed mother. One day, she writes a letter to a random person whose name she finds in the phone book. It turns out to be Max Horovitz, a 44-year-old, overweight man with Asperger’s syndrome who lives alone in New York. From this chance contact emerges an unusual, lifelong friendship.

In their letters, Mary and Max share thoughts about life, fears, desires, and quirks—honestly, directly, and with plenty of dark humor. Despite cultural differences, great distance, and personal crises, they remain connected, offering each other support in a world that often feels overwhelming.

MARY & MAX is a strikingly animated stop-motion film that, with sensitivity, wit, and depth, tells of outsiders, loneliness—and the power of true friendship. A moving film with an unusual, brilliant visual style and great emotional impact.