SAINT MAUD is a new horror movie that works extremely well on every single level. It is creepy and weird and f*cking scary! Most horror fans should adore this movie. We caught a screening at AFI Fest 2019 and you should watch it whenever possible. Read our full Saint Maud review here!

Saint Maud is a new horror movie currently playing at film festivals worldwide. We were able to watch it at AFI Fest 2019 in Los Angeles where the writer-director and a producer attended.

The horror movie is written and directed by a woman, Rose Glass, and when you watch the movie, you can understand why she enjoys attending these screenings. There are moments where you will laugh, but there are also moments when you will have other very physical reactions such as gasping in shock.

Read more in our full Saint Maud review below.

The perfect casting

The title role in Saint Maud is played by Morfydd Clark in her first lead role. However, horror fans will probably recognize her wonderful face since she’s been in several horror movies already.

Morfydd Clark was in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) and Crawl (2019). Also, she’s in an episode of the HBO series His Dark Materials and is currently filming episodes of Dracula, the upcoming BBC and Netflix co-production mini-series. 

In Saint Maud, the plot revolves around Morfydd Clark’s brilliant performance. Both in scenes where she is on her own along with scenes featuring other key characters. Throughout the movie, the most intense scenes tend to be with a character played by Jennifer Ehle. 

Jennifer Ehle plays Amanda, a former dancer who is terminally ill and the patient that Maud is caring for. You may recognize Jennifer Ehle from movies like Zero Dark Thirty or maybe the thriller The Wolf Hour.

However brilliant Jennifer Ehle is in this movie (and she truly is awesome), the real star is Morfydd Clark. You see the world through her eyes and it’s a little crazy and very bleak – to say the least!

Saint Maud (2019) Horror Movie Review

Scenes based on real events

At the AFI Fest 2019 screening of Saint Maud, writer-director Rose Glass revealed that one of the more brutal scenes was actually based on a real event. I don’t want to give away too much, but let’s just say it involves CPR going a bit too far.

Overall, Saint Maud doesn’t feature too many effects but it does have moments that require a few added elements. However, a lot of the true horror is simply in trying to follow the mindset of Maud as she is attempting to seek redemption. She has decided to save the soul of Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), but her patient really isn’t interested in being saved.

She drinks, smokes, parties, and enjoys having sex with women. All of these elements go against what Maud believes is right for Amanda’s chances of having a good afterlife. Still, she doesn’t come out to attack the life choices of Amanda. That wouldn’t be the Christian thing to do. Instead, she tries to control things around Amanda and fails.

The creepiest scenes in Saint Maud are definitely when we see things from Maud’s perspective and actually feel for Maud. I mean, I am a gay woman and even I could understand and accept that it wasn’t malice that drove her actions. I don’t agree with her belief or action, but I do understand where she was coming from. That’s pretty impressive to me!

Do not miss out on Saint Maud

This horror movie is a British production that has been playing at film festivals since premiering at TIFF [Toronto International Film Festival] on September 8, 2019. When you get the chance to watch this movie, you really should jump at it. Especially if it’s screening in a movie theater.

The final scene of Saint Maud is probably one of the most perfect end scenes ever in any movie!

Overall, Saint Maud is the kind of movie that works perfectly for horror fans while it might be way too much (read: too scary) for people who don’t have the stomach for horror. In other words; Horror fans should be excited about this little gem of a horror movie!

Saint Maud was playing at film festivals in 2019, but it will be released in limited theaters on January 29, 2021, followed by an EPIX release on February 12, 2021.

Details

Director: Rose Glass
Writer: Rose Glass
Stars: Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Turlough Convery, Lily Knight, Lily Frazer

Plot

Saint Maud follows a pious nurse who becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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