Dir. Rose Glass | Now Streaming On: Prime Video | Rating: 2/5

Saint Maud was one of A24’s most awaited releases that was derailed by the pandemic. After months of postponing, the film’s US theatrical release was trashed and it went straight to streaming in early 2021. In typical A24 fashion, Saint Maud was sold as one of the most disturbing and frightening horror films of the year. Maybe it was the hype, but Saint Maud fell entirely flat for me. A24 is THE leading name of current arthouse horror, which is a tough subgenre on its own. Arthouse leaves most casual viewers thinking. “Okay… and?” The horror relies heavily on shock value while the storyline and theming tends to be highbrow – often much too high for most people to understand. ⁠
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Though visually beautifully and moderately well acted, Saint Maud feels unsatisfying. At its core, Maud’s story comments on female experience, trauma, longing, and the lengths we go to feel we belong. As customary of this subgenre, this film features some gnarly body horror but nothing we haven’t seen before. As Rose Glass’s directorial debut, I’d definitely give her next film another chance. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features death, self harm, blood, nudity, rape. ⁠