Maria is a mysterious and enigmatic character from the Silent Hill series, first appearing in Silent Hill 2. She bears a striking resemblance to Mary Shepherd-Sunderland, the deceased wife of protagonist James Sunderland, but exhibits a starkly different personality. Unlike Mary's calm and gentle demeanor, Maria is provocative, confident, and flirtatious. Her existence challenges James to confront his guilt and grief over his wife's death, as she represents both his desires and his inner turmoil. Maria plays a pivotal role in the psychological horror narrative of Silent Hill 2, symbolizing the protagonist's inner conflict.